The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is signed by President George H. W. Bush on July 26. It mandates that all people with disabilities have access to public transportation and other aspects of public and private life. The law requires that local, state, and federal government programs be accessible, and that businesses with more than 15 employees make "reasonable accommodations" for people with disabilities that work there.

Public accommodations are also included, and restaurants and stores are told to make "reasonable modifications" to ensure access.