Welcome to the real world of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

I visited Tom's new proposed dental office he is buying from the bank.  It will be an "as is" sale, what you see is what you get.  There were numerous ADA non-compliant issues I saw and even more on the retrofit permit plans.  Tom's question was "how can that be?"  I told Tom that building officials only have jurisdiction on their building codes, and have no jurisdiction on the ADA.  So now we "cut-to-the-chase" with his many questions.

The official enforcer of the ADA is the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), with a staff of 50+.  "So, what are my chances of seeing the DOJ?" he asked.  I said the same odds of the being hit by lightening.  He stated that he likes those odds.  Does this make the ADA a voluntary program?  In my opinion, it sure does!  Especially when after 10 years in the business as an architect specializing in ADA compliance, we still have 90% of our buildings that are not ADA compliant.  This is not rocket science. 

Congress and the handicapped community knew this would happen when the ADA law was written and signed in 1990.  That is why the ADA was made as a Civil Right Law, to give the handicapped free access into the Federal Courts.  That is free filing fees, free attorney fees and free attorney costs.  The professional services of ACCESS are also attorney costs. 

There are ADA advocacy groups doing good work across this country, that are working for building ADA compliance.  The ACCESS "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" program uses the free Federal Courts.  It works, it is a guarantee that the building is ADA compliant, because I sign my name on the certification stating that the building is ADA compliant.  The Civil Right Laws are there for those in wheelchairs to use.  Stop wishing, step up to the plate and join the ACCESS guaranteed ADA building program today! 

Contact me at hfalstad@accessts.net or call me at (702) 649-7575.  It is as easy as apple pie! 

Do you see the light?  Without Federal Court litigation there is no real building compliance.  ACCESS is your answer.

Hank