ADA's Public Law PL110-325

Did you know that the laws say:

• Public Law PL110-325 - The Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008, with an effective date of January 1, 2009
• Sec. 12182.Prohibition of discrimination of public accommodations
• (a) General Rules
• No individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodations.

The ADA Accessibility Guidelines say that guest rooms with mobility features require a turning space either circular or T-shaped must be provided within the guest rooms.  To the professional accessibility architects at ACCESS that means that every building element that a guest can walk up to and turn around must also be available to the "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" and all others whose mobility is dependant on using a wheelchair.  What this means is that you should be avail enough room to roll up to all the elements listed, be able to turn around with the available space and roll out, facing the direction you're heading.  You should not have to roll up to an element and then have to roll back out looking over your shoulder to make sure you're not either going to run over anyone or anything.  This would be considered a discrimination.

The ADA lists 415 items of elements that includes drapery rods, window hardware, windows, floor lamps, table lamps, chairs, desks, end tables, end table drawers, thermostat, entrance door hardware, walk-in closet, TV, alarm clock and so on.  ACCESS will be developing a short list of items to look out for during your stay at any lodging facilities.  Stay tune...we'll have the list available with the month.

Tell us about your past stayover experiences at hotels, motels and time-shares.  You can post your stories, comments or suggestions here or on our FaceBook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730#!/.  Or you can call me at (702) 649-7575 or email me at hfalstad@accessts.net.

Hank