Which legislation requires public buildings to be accessible to individuals with physical disabilities?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the correct legislation because it was specifically enacted to ensure that individuals with physical disabilities have equal access to public accommodations, which includes public buildings. The ADA sets forth requirements that structural designs, features, and operations of facilities be accessible to persons with disabilities. For example, it mandates accessible parking, building entrances, restrooms, and other essential elements of public buildings, ensuring that they are usable and accessible to everyone, regardless of physical ability.

In contrast, the Fair Housing Act primarily addresses discrimination in housing based on disability among other criteria but is focused on residential structures, not public buildings. The Occupational Safety and Health Act deals with workplace safety and health standards rather than accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Lastly, the Civil Rights Act, while important for prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, does not specifically address disability access issues. Thus, the ADA's comprehensive approach to ensuring access for individuals with disabilities makes it the correct choice in this context.