Reviewed by Casa Academy and updated July 29, 2026 using the current DBPR checklist and Pearson VUE scheduling guidance.
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, and communications, with specific design and access rules for many commercial buildings and public spaces.
Exam context
Identify property type first: residential rental discrimination scenarios usually implicate Fair Housing; ground-floor retail showings implicate ADA public accommodation rules. Avoid mixing the statutes' remedies and covered entities.
ADA vs Fair Housing Act in real estate
The Fair Housing Act covers most residential sales and rentals. The ADA focuses on places of public accommodation such as sales offices, shopping centers, hotels, and commercial leases open to the public. Agents showing commercial space should know when accessibility upgrades are required for new construction or alterations.
Reasonable accommodations and modifications
Housing providers under the Fair Housing Act must allow reasonable accommodations and modifications for disabled persons, while the ADA sets technical accessibility standards for commercial facilities. Exams may ask which law applies to a given property type or transaction.
Examples
Brokerage sales office
A brokerage opens a street-level office with a step at the entrance. ADA accessibility requirements may mandate a ramp or alternative accessible entrance for public visitors.
Condo rental request
A tenant with a disability asks a landlord for permission to install a grab bar in a rental bathroom at the tenant's expense. Fair Housing reasonable modification rules typically apply to the dwelling.
Keep studying
Related terms
- Affinity housingMarketing communities without violating anti-discrimination laws.
- Agency relationshipsDisclosure duties when serving clients with accessibility needs.
Related resources
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- Florida exam topic hub
Florida-specific explainers and question sets for this topic area.
Sources
- ADA.gov: introduction to the ADA(U.S. Department of Justice: ADA.gov)