---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 12212"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "12212"
heading: "Alternative means of dispute resolution"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/12212"
units:
  - "Chapter 126 — Equal Opportunity for Individuals with Disabilities"
  - "Subchapter IV — Miscellaneous Provisions"
---

# §12212. Alternative means of dispute resolution


Where appropriate and to the extent authorized by law, the use of alternative means of dispute resolution, including settlement negotiations, conciliation, facilitation, mediation, factfinding, minitrials, and arbitration, is encouraged to resolve disputes arising under this chapter.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–336, title V, § 514, formerly § 513, July 26, 1990, 104 Stat. 377; renumbered § 514, Pub. L. 110–325, § 6(a)(2), Sept. 25, 2008, 122 Stat. 3558.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 101–336, July 26, 1990, 104 Stat. 327, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 12101 of this title and Tables.

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 514 of Pub. L. 101–336 was renumbered section 515 and is classified to section 12213 of this title.