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Governor Mike Braun
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Accessibility in Public Places

Accessibility in Public Places

Businesses and other places that serve the public must ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to their goods, services, and facilities.

Under federal and Indiana civil rights laws, public accommodations may be required to provide accessible spaces and remove certain barriers when it is reasonable to do so.

Accessibility helps ensure that individuals with disabilities can participate in everyday activities such as dining at restaurants, shopping at stores, attending events, and accessing services.

What Are Public Accommodations?

Public accommodations are businesses or facilities that are open to the public.

Examples of public accommodations may include:

  • Restaurants and cafes
  • Hotels and lodging establishments
  • Retail stores and shopping centers
  • Theaters and entertainment venues
  • Hospitals and medical offices
  • Gyms and fitness centers
  • Salons and personal care businesses
  • Transportation services

These places must generally provide equal access to individuals with disabilities.

When Accessibility Concerns May Arise:

Accessibility concerns may arise when individuals with disabilities are unable to access goods, services, or facilities that are available to others.

Examples may include:

  • A building entrance that cannot be accessed by wheelchair users
  • A business refusing to allow a service animal
  • Lack of accessible seating in a public venue
  • Information that is not available in accessible formats

Addressing accessibility concerns helps ensure that public spaces are open and welcoming to everyone.

Physical Accessibility:

Public accommodations should provide accessible physical spaces that allow individuals with disabilities to enter and use their facilities.

Examples of accessible features may include:

  • Accessible entrances and doorways
  • Ramps or elevators where needed
  • Accessible parking spaces
  • Accessible seating areas
  • Accessible restrooms

Removing barriers helps ensure that individuals with mobility disabilities can safely access public places.

Communication Accessibility:

Accessibility may also involve providing effective communication for individuals with disabilities.

Examples may include:

  • Providing interpreters when appropriate
  • Offering written materials in accessible formats
  • Providing captioning for videos
  • Ensuring that important information is accessible to individuals with vision or hearing disabilities

Public accommodations should consider how information is communicated to ensure that services are accessible to all customers.

Service and Assistance Policies:

Businesses should apply policies in ways that do not unnecessarily exclude individuals with disabilities.

Examples may include:

  • Allowing service animals in public areas
  • Making reasonable adjustments to policies when necessary
  • Providing assistance when individuals need help accessing services

Policies should be applied fairly and should not create barriers for individuals with disabilities.

If You Believe Your Rights Were Violated

If you believe a business or public place denied access because of a disability, you may be able to file a discrimination complaint.

The Indiana Civil Rights Commission investigates complaints involving discrimination in public accommodations, employment, housing, education, and credit.

To learn more about filing a complaint, visit the How to File a Discrimination Complaint page.