4 Ways the Americans with Disabilities Act Supports Older Adults

“[Congress] wanted private litigants to be able to enforce their own rights,” said AARP Foundation's Kelly Bagby. ​​

The ADA is organized into five different sections, which are called titles. Each title sets requirements for different types of organizations. While the ADA offers a wide range of protections, here are four ways it impacts the lives of older adults. ​​

1. In the workplace

​Why it matters: More older adults are choosing to work later in life. AARP estimates workers ages 75 and older are the fastest-growing age group in the workforce, more than quadrupling in size since 1964. ​​

“It is true that the likelihood of acquiring a disability does increase as one ages,” said Yee. ​​

What the ADA says: Generally, employers with 15 or more workers are required to provide equal access to workplace opportunities for people with disabilities. This includes all aspects of employment — from hiring and promotions to training, compensation and participation in social activities. ​​

This is also where the idea of “reasonable accommodations” comes in. Employers are obligated to make adjustments that enable individuals with disabilities to participate fully in the workplace, so long as these accommodations don’t impose significant difficulty or expense. ​​

Here’s an example: A company may provide reserved parking nearest the entrance for those with mobility needs or allow someone to work on a flexible schedule. An employer also cannot ask certain questions about an applicant’s disability before a job offer is given. ​​

The impact: Older adults can stay in the workforce longer, allowing them to earn income, share valuable experience and stay socially connected — key factors in healthy, independent aging. In turn, organizations that invest in employee well-being see higher productivity, better retention and lower costs, studies show. ​​

The ADA “really helped usher in the sense that people have different needs, and accommodating those needs can be of enormous benefit to the workplace,” Yee said.

2. In public services

​​Why it matters: From voting booths to parks to even some museums, public services provide a network of support for older adults that help meet basic needs, especially for lower-income adults. These protections extend to public schools, city police departments and offices where people apply for food aid or pay taxes, to name a few. ​​

What the ADA says: State and local governments must provide people with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from all their programs and services. ​​

Here’s an example: Someone who is deaf or has trouble hearing wants to attend city council meetings. They may be provided with a communication aid, like an interpreter or listening device, so they can access the information.

​​Bonus: This also applies to public transit, like buses and trains. The ADA requires adequate time to board and exit, accessible rider information (in large print or braille, for example), permission for service animals and priority seating. ​​

The ADA “requires that states and employers and public accommodations remove barriers, not just open the door,” Bagby said.

3. In businesses

​Why it matters: In a 2024 AARP survey, 74 percent of adults said in-person socializing was key to their happiness. Everyday activities like dining out, shopping or staying at a hotel enhance quality of life for older adults, including those with disabilities. ​​

What the ADA says: People with disabilities should have the same opportunities to access goods or services provided by businesses. ​​

Here’s an example: A grocery store may rearrange its displays to ensure aisles are not blocked or difficult to navigate around for those in scooters or wheelchairs. ​​

The impact: “[The ADA] was meant to say, across the whole, full range of life in the U.S., that people with disabilities belong,” Yee said.

4. In long-term care

​​Why it matters: The ADA has been taken up by the courts many times, AARP’s Bagby said, but a landmark interpretation by the Supreme Court in 1999 fundamentally established disability rights in long-term care settings. That case is called Olmstead v. L.C.

What the Olmstead decision says: It is discriminatory for someone to be placed unnecessarily into an institution, like a hospital or long-term facility, when they can otherwise benefit from receiving community-based care and want to do so.

The impact: In 2023, over half of Medicaid’s long-term care spending went to home and community-based services. That’s a sharp increase from just 37 percent of spending in 2009, highlighting a continued move away from institutional care and toward more personalized, community-centered support.

​​“Because of the ADA, they will be able to age in place and stay in their own homes with their communities and families, rather than going to a nursing facility,” said Regan Bailey, litigation director at Justice in Aging.