New York Executive Law § 296 found in The Laws of New York, Chapter 18, Executive, Article 15, Human Rights Laws, is a restatement of many existing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws and regulations. These laws are almost identical to the federal laws and regulations that pertain to ADA compliance.
Read MoreUS vs. Hilton is a precedent-setting consent decree that can be used by many entities to show what to do with respect to ADA compliance at hotels and many other types of businesses. Taking a pro-active approach to ADA compliance by having a policy and programs to ensure full ADA compliance at your entity will help avoid these costly and time-consuming lawsuits and resultant settlements.
Read MoreADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, (ADAIN) offers training for employers and employees of businesses, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and state and local government agencies interested in improving their working knowledge of ADA compliance. If desired, Richard Acree can teach participants how to write a comprehensive report detailing the results of the facility compliance inspection.
Read MoreThis hotel has been existence for many years yet it still was not in compliance with the ADA. This lawsuit was avoidable if the owner of the hotel had been proactive about ADA compliance. Richard Acree at ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, is experienced and qualified in inspections of hotels for ADA compliance. If you own or manage a hotel, it is imperative that you maintain the hotel in a high level of ADA compliance. Otherwise you could be the next hotel getting a long and expensive visit from the DOJ.
Read MoreWhere passenger loading zones are provided, at least one accessible passenger loading zone is required in every continuous 100 linear feet of loading zone or fraction thereof. When facilities are renovated, PLZs at the facility should be included in the renovation for ADA compliance.
Read MoreSt. Augustine, FL, is a beautiful town on the east coast of Florida known for sun and surf and a very special small downtown area that is great to visit. But, St. Augustine also has a reputation for ADA compliance, as was recently observed while walking around the area. St. Augustine has taken the initiative to shave off raised walkways, caused by tree growth, so the differential elevations are at least not abrupt.
Read MoreWashing machines and clothes dryers in Title II and Title III facilities must comply with the ADA. These ADA requirements apply to various types of laundry facilities, including, but not limited to, those serving residential dwelling units, dormitories and other types of transient lodging, laundromats, and recreation facilities. These Standards apply to portable and/or temporary laundry equipment as well.
Read MoreMovie theaters such as those provided by AMC are Title III assembly areas that must comply with the ADA. The world’s largest movie theater chain, AMC, is adding onscreen captions at hundreds of U.S. locations in an effort to make moviegoing more accessible.
Read MoreIn the United States, accessibility is a right, not a privilege, guaranteed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), or Fair Housing Act (FHA). The ADA is a law, not a building code, recommendation, or a suggestion. Almost all Title II and Title III facilities in the US must comply with the ADA, ABA, or FHA requirements.
Read MoreAustin Whitney, the owner of Ten Fifty Entertainment, is helping make the Pilgrimage Festival in Franklin, TN more accessible for fans with disabilities. The 2021 Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival will host more than 50 acts across five stages. As a Title III assembly area, this site must comply with the 2010 ADA Standards.
Read MoreHaving a SEPTP is the legally, morally, and financially right thing to do for all entities. SEPTPs can be thought of as tools to create and maintain successful accessibility compliance programs. SEPTPs are living documents/plans that require periodic updating.
Read MoreState and local government entities are required to ensure that interested people, including people with vision or hearing impairments, can obtain information as to the ”existence and location of accessible services, activities, and facilities.” Public and private (non-government) entities should do this also. Public notices play a key role in providing this information.
Read MoreThis article about Self Evaluation Plan and Transition Plan (SEPTP) is Part 4 - Getting Started with Training. The information contained within this series can be used to build a new SEPTP or audit an existing SEPTP. Learning about the ADA, both the purpose and requirements, is critical whether you are just starting out with a SEPTP program or to train newcomers for inevitable turnovers in participants. Training will be an ongoing process for most entities.
Read MoreA SEPTP should include a grievance procedure to provide individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination based on their disability with a formal method to register their complaint with the entity. The grievance procedure should provide guidelines to take the grievance through a process of review, resolution, and documentation.
Read MoreA SEPTP should include a grievance procedure to provide individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination based on their disability with a formal method to register their complaint with the entity. The grievance procedure should provide guidelines to take the grievance through a process of review, resolution, and documentation.
Read MoreAfter a comprehensive self-evaluation of all programs, activities, services, and facilities operated by the entity, a transition plan should be created to list all items where structural changes are needed at the facilities.
Read MoreAfter a comprehensive self-evaluation of all programs, activities, services, and facilities operated by the entity, an action plan should be created to list all items where non-structural changes are needed at the entity. The action plan should include any discrepancy found within program access.
Read MoreThe budget for ADA installations should cover new facilities and alterations to existing facilities. Prioritizing ADA installations will help avoid complaints and lawsuits in the future. Implementation of the SEPTP should include peer inspections to avoid errors and omissions.
Read MoreThe Ventura County Transportation Commission was found in non-compliance with the ADA laws at the Station located at 30 Lewis Road, Camarillo, CA 93010. This settlement agreement could have been prevented had the VCTC been pro-active about ADA compliance.
Read More