The U.S. Department of Justice’s amended Final Rule, which substantially revises and expands the regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), becomes effective on March 15, 2011. The revisions set forth in the amended Final Rule potentially have far-reaching implications for owners and operatorsof businesses, developers, lenders, commercial landlords and tenants. Full compliance with the new regulations is mandatory by March 15, 2012.

In addition to important changes to Title II of the ADA, which requires nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in governmental services, the amended Final Rule also changes Title III of the ADA, which covers private enterprises and facilities. Common examples of facilities covered by Title III include financial institutions, hospitals, doctors’ offices, restaurants, shopping centers, retail stores, hotels, movie theaters, private schools, convention centers, day care centers, fitness clubs, sports stadiums and other recreation facilities.

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