Wheelchair Access Critical to ADA Compliance

wheelchair-access-ada-complianceThe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) enacted in 1990, resulted in necessary changes across every industry for people with varying disabilities. To this day, however, there are still many roadblocks to accessibility that arise, especially in the case of wheelchair access.

Take for example a public right-of-way path in Montgomery, Alabama, currently blocked by a stairway pole housing a future pub. This virtually blocks the area from wheelchair access to the crosswalk or sidewalk in front of the building. Thanks to protests from those affected, plans are underway to fix this obstacle. However, permit and construction delays are preventing an expedient fix.

Another current controversy is centered around hotels installing wheelchair lifts in their swimming pools. According to a recent article in USA Today, the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) was caught off guard by a recent federal ruling to install permanent lifts. Most hotels only have portable ones on site with many having no lifts at all. As a result of the AHLA’s lobbying efforts, the ruling has been delayed until January, 2013, which has caused increased frustration amongst disability rights leaders.

In yet another example of people with disabilities being denied their rights, a Detroit woman has filed a suit in federal court claiming lack of access to a state office building. According to the Detroit News, the suit alleges that there is “inadequate handicap parking, obstructed curb ramps and inaccessible building entrances, elevators, doorways, hallways and bathrooms.”

Unfortunately, these are just a few cases wherein people with disabilities are facing major obstacles to accessibility and being denied their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Access Advocates can help pave the way to removing barriers in publicly accessible buildings. Contact us for more information on how we can assist you with accessibility compliance issues.

Image courtesy of Flickr, James LeVeque


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