Making America More Accessible One Building at a Time

We are really sorry that we could not help Michael.  We really tried.  It was a condominium in Florida and the issue was the pool area was not accessible.  We wrote opinion letters and strategy letters concerning the technical issues of the Fair Housing Amendment Act, the American with Disabilities Amendment Act and the American National Standard Institute. 


We sent the above mentioned letters to the first litigating attorney, then a second and finally a third.  We were unable to find a litigating attorney that would take the case, based on the lack of documented case law.  Attorneys love case law and there is NO case law on this subject; and ACCESS knew this going in.  ACCESS believes that no individual should be discriminated against on the basis of a 'disability' in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, faculties, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation.  We went in eyes wide open with the intent of helping Michael with his condominium's accessibility challenges.


The architects at ACCESS have for the past 20 years specialized in building accessibility and today we are bringing that knowledge directly to wheelchair users like Michael.  Michael's file has not been closed, it has been put on hold until we have similar cases pending in other States.  Once that happens, we will revisit Michael's case and move forward in assisting him to enjoy the perks of his condominium's amenities.


We're here to help, one building at a time.


Give us your questions or thoughts on the above article.  You can post them here or on our FaceBook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730.  You can also reach us at hfalstad@accessts.net or call us at (702) 649-7575.  We look forward to hearing from you.


Hank



The above are opinions of Hank Falstad, AIA, Managing Senior Associate of Access Technologies Services, Inc. (ACCESS).  See our web site for additional information:  www.accessts.net.