We are asked, having our office here in Las Vegas, if we have worked for any of the large hotel-casino properties. The answer is yes.
Eighteen years ago a large hotel-casino property would cost 300 million to 500 million. Today, that number is now 3 billion to 5 billion to build and start a hotel-casino property on the Strip. Over the past 18 years, most of the large hotel-casino companies have been clients of ours. Today, we are not working for any of them. The reason is that there is a lack of litigation on the part of the DOJ and advocacy groups. Properties are not going to spend money on ADA compliance, and will continue to play the game of saying that they will budget for ADA building compliance, but never get corporate approval to spend the money.
The hotel-casino industry have been playing this game for the past 20 years, and it is all about money. Management bonuses are based on profits and spending money on ADA compliance lowers profits. Without a Federal Court order, management priority will always be about profit.
It is for this fact that the ACCESS "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" program is focusing today on the hospitality industry; hotels, motels and time-shares. We want the "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" to travel with their color digital cameras. Check into an accessible room with 2 beds and a roll-in shower. Take 2-3 photos of the room, the roll-in shower, public restrooms and lobby area. Then take photos of the outside to include the accessible parking and overall photos of the building. Send an email of the photos and the a copy of the hotel receipt to us. We will take it from there, keeping you updated and informed throughout the entire process.
The ADA has been in existence for 20 years and the majority of the hospitality properties are not in ADA compliance (over 90%). So the "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" team have a challenge. Join the ACCESS program and be a part of the team! Learn and know how to use the Federal Courts to bring ADA compliance to non-compliant buildings!
If you have any questions or comments, place them here or on our FaceBook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730#!/. Or give us a call and ask for myself or Patricia; or just send me an email at hfalstad@accessts.net. We're at your service!
Hank
ACCESS is a leader in compliance litigation management as it relates to Federal Statutes with a program that includes Plan Check, Consulting, Audit, Reporting, Turn-Key Services, Education and Litigation. Contact us today at hfalstad@accessts.net or call us at (702) 649-7575 for more details.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
"Watchdogs in Wheelchairs": Tracy
This is what the ACCESS "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" program is all about. Tracy is in a wheelchair and travels in her work. So she is seeing first hand lodging facilities that are not ADA compliant. She didn't know what to do, it was a mystery to her, this whole process of doing something about getting buildings ADA compliant. She is so excited about find ACCESS and has fallen in love with the ACCESS program.
Tracy states is so simple. All she has to do is take some color digital photos of her accessible room with 2 beds and a roll-in shower, the lobby area, public restroom and on the outside the accessible parking area and a few overall photos of the building. She then only has to email the photos and copy of her hotel receipt to ACCESS and ACCESS will do the rest. How more simple can that be? Best of all, Tracy feels good about her efforts getting buildings ADA compliant for her and all those who are also handicapped and do a lot of traveling.
Tracy, I can tell you the professional accessibility architects at ACCESS have the same good feeling about being able to help you. All persons in a wheelchair that travel come join the ACCESS "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" program and get that good feeling as well!
In the coming months the ACCESS ADA building compliance program will be concentrating on the lodging industry; hotels, motels and time-shares. We need your support to make this effort work in getting non-compliant building ADA compliant. Help spread the word and join the ACCESS "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" program.
Visit us on our FaceBook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730, or call us at (702) 649-7575 and ask for myself or Patricia. Or you could email me at hfalstad@accessts.net. We look forward to hearing from you.
Hank
Tracy states is so simple. All she has to do is take some color digital photos of her accessible room with 2 beds and a roll-in shower, the lobby area, public restroom and on the outside the accessible parking area and a few overall photos of the building. She then only has to email the photos and copy of her hotel receipt to ACCESS and ACCESS will do the rest. How more simple can that be? Best of all, Tracy feels good about her efforts getting buildings ADA compliant for her and all those who are also handicapped and do a lot of traveling.
Tracy, I can tell you the professional accessibility architects at ACCESS have the same good feeling about being able to help you. All persons in a wheelchair that travel come join the ACCESS "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" program and get that good feeling as well!
In the coming months the ACCESS ADA building compliance program will be concentrating on the lodging industry; hotels, motels and time-shares. We need your support to make this effort work in getting non-compliant building ADA compliant. Help spread the word and join the ACCESS "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" program.
Visit us on our FaceBook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730, or call us at (702) 649-7575 and ask for myself or Patricia. Or you could email me at hfalstad@accessts.net. We look forward to hearing from you.
Hank
Friday, May 6, 2011
Standard Room vs. Accessible Room
Mary Ann is asking why do we want her to reserve an accessible room with 2 beds?
Well, all hotel rooms are designed with the same floor plan. Architects for years will then take that standard floor plan and design the accessible room per that standard specification. We all know that the accessible bathroom will be larger than the standard bathroom. Moving to the bedroom area, starting with a smaller space, you are not allowed to change or omit amenities in the room such as chairs, desk, etc. Occasionally, we will see furniture modified, for example, a TV that sits on a dresser can be a wall mounted TV.
Keep in mind that there is a requirement for a turn around space in the bedroom. This requirement is not well defined. You do have to get to all the amenities such as the closet, dresser, TV, desk, chairs, table, lamps, controls for heating and cooling, beds, window drapes, window hardware, etc. It is easy to see that only one turn around space is not functional.
The only solution is to start with a larger space and make that the accessible room. It is obvious that 2 beds take up more space than one bed and I have never seen a hospitality facility that did not have both rooms with 2 beds and rooms with one bed. For that fact alone, we encourage you to ask for an accessible room with 2 beds because 98% of the time that room will not be ADA compliant.
Don't be surprise if you are told all the accessible rooms have one bed. That is an ADA violation. However, if that is the only option they give you, take the one bed accessible room with a roll-in shower. Take the necessary photos and send them in along with a copy of your receipt. This time, be sure to include a summary stating that you did request a 2 bed accessible room but was denied due to availability. Once received, we will do the evaluation and let you know if the building is ADA non-compliant, and if so, an ADA non-compliant complaint will be filed.
Remember, be sure your photos consist of the room, the roll-in shower, public restrooms and lobby areas. Take photos of the parking lot and overall shots of the outside of the building.
As always, we're at your service. You can comment here or visit us on FB at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730#!/. Or give us a call and ask for myself or Patricia; or just drop me an email at hfalstad@accessts.net.
Hank
Well, all hotel rooms are designed with the same floor plan. Architects for years will then take that standard floor plan and design the accessible room per that standard specification. We all know that the accessible bathroom will be larger than the standard bathroom. Moving to the bedroom area, starting with a smaller space, you are not allowed to change or omit amenities in the room such as chairs, desk, etc. Occasionally, we will see furniture modified, for example, a TV that sits on a dresser can be a wall mounted TV.
Keep in mind that there is a requirement for a turn around space in the bedroom. This requirement is not well defined. You do have to get to all the amenities such as the closet, dresser, TV, desk, chairs, table, lamps, controls for heating and cooling, beds, window drapes, window hardware, etc. It is easy to see that only one turn around space is not functional.
The only solution is to start with a larger space and make that the accessible room. It is obvious that 2 beds take up more space than one bed and I have never seen a hospitality facility that did not have both rooms with 2 beds and rooms with one bed. For that fact alone, we encourage you to ask for an accessible room with 2 beds because 98% of the time that room will not be ADA compliant.
Don't be surprise if you are told all the accessible rooms have one bed. That is an ADA violation. However, if that is the only option they give you, take the one bed accessible room with a roll-in shower. Take the necessary photos and send them in along with a copy of your receipt. This time, be sure to include a summary stating that you did request a 2 bed accessible room but was denied due to availability. Once received, we will do the evaluation and let you know if the building is ADA non-compliant, and if so, an ADA non-compliant complaint will be filed.
Remember, be sure your photos consist of the room, the roll-in shower, public restrooms and lobby areas. Take photos of the parking lot and overall shots of the outside of the building.
As always, we're at your service. You can comment here or visit us on FB at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730#!/. Or give us a call and ask for myself or Patricia; or just drop me an email at hfalstad@accessts.net.
Hank
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Has ACCESS Worked on Any Property Under Investigation?
Have we worked on any property under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)? The answer is yes we have, a dozen or more, and the most interesting was the New York - New York Hotel and Casino. This is the only property, I believe, where a DOJ ADA non-compliant complaint was ever filed before the actual construction of the building was ever started.
We were hired by the building owner to ADA plan check the construction drawings for ADA compliance,and that was being done when the DOJ ADA non-compliant complaint was filed and sent by the DOJ to the building owners. Our ADA compliance contract with the owner grew, so over the next 12+ months we got to know the people at the DOJ very well. It was a once in a life time experience for as an architect specializing in DAD accessibility compliance.
Here are some before and after shots.
Today I bring all that knowledge and experience to the people in wheelchair community with the ACCESS
"Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" program. The ADA is Civil Rights Law, which gives the wheelchair users our professional services free of charge. It is your choice. Buildings will not become ADA compliant if you are not going to use the instrument available to you. So give us a call and let's get moving.
As in my earlier postings, today we are focusing on the lodging industry: hotels, motels and time-shares. During your travels, book a room with 2 beds with a roll-in shower. With your color digital camera and take 2-3 photos of the room, roll-in shower, lobby area, and public restrooms. On the outside of the facility, take photos of the accessible parking and a few overall photos of the building. Email the photos and a copy of your hotel bill. he photos for ADA accessibility compliance and let you know if there is an ADA non-compliant building complaint worthy of filing.
Come join the ACCESS program and wave the "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" flag as we move forward together in getting building ADA compliant one building at a time!
Let us know your thoughts. Comment here or on our FB page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730#!/. Or give us a call at (702) 649-7575 and ask for myself or Patricia; or send an email to hfalstad@accessts.net.
Hank
We were hired by the building owner to ADA plan check the construction drawings for ADA compliance,and that was being done when the DOJ ADA non-compliant complaint was filed and sent by the DOJ to the building owners. Our ADA compliance contract with the owner grew, so over the next 12+ months we got to know the people at the DOJ very well. It was a once in a life time experience for as an architect specializing in DAD accessibility compliance.
Here are some before and after shots.
 |
| Before (Pic #1) |
 |
| After (Pic #1) |
 |
| Before (Pic #2) |
 |
| After (Pic #2) |
 |
| After (Pic #3) |
Today I bring all that knowledge and experience to the people in wheelchair community with the ACCESS
"Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" program. The ADA is Civil Rights Law, which gives the wheelchair users our professional services free of charge. It is your choice. Buildings will not become ADA compliant if you are not going to use the instrument available to you. So give us a call and let's get moving.
As in my earlier postings, today we are focusing on the lodging industry: hotels, motels and time-shares. During your travels, book a room with 2 beds with a roll-in shower. With your color digital camera and take 2-3 photos of the room, roll-in shower, lobby area, and public restrooms. On the outside of the facility, take photos of the accessible parking and a few overall photos of the building. Email the photos and a copy of your hotel bill. he photos for ADA accessibility compliance and let you know if there is an ADA non-compliant building complaint worthy of filing.
Come join the ACCESS program and wave the "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" flag as we move forward together in getting building ADA compliant one building at a time!
Let us know your thoughts. Comment here or on our FB page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730#!/. Or give us a call at (702) 649-7575 and ask for myself or Patricia; or send an email to hfalstad@accessts.net.
Hank
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
"Watchdogs in Wheelchairs": Jerry (3)
Over the last several months I have met some real special people. Jerry sticks in my mind. He is in his wheelchair, lives in a small house and can not turn pages in a book because his fingers do not work and ran his own business...now can you top that?
What an inspiration to all of us! And Jerry wants to be an inspiration to all persons in wheelchairs by saying he will be staying at a Hilton property in the coming months. He will be sending us the photos along with his receipt for the filing of an ADA non-compliant building lawsuit in Federal Court.
Jerry is a doer. He wants to do his part to get the lodging industry properties (hotels, motels and time-shares) ADA compliant for himself, but more especially for all Americans in wheelchairs. You too can help Jerry and do your part in this cause. Join the ACCESS "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" program in getting buildings ADA compliant at no cost to you. We will show you how, as we have done with Jerry.
If you interested in joining the "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" program and/or have any comments about joining, comment here or on our FaceBook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730#!/. Or give us a call at (702) 649-7575 and ask for me or Patricia. You can also reach me by email at hfalstad@accessts.net.
Hank
What an inspiration to all of us! And Jerry wants to be an inspiration to all persons in wheelchairs by saying he will be staying at a Hilton property in the coming months. He will be sending us the photos along with his receipt for the filing of an ADA non-compliant building lawsuit in Federal Court.
Jerry is a doer. He wants to do his part to get the lodging industry properties (hotels, motels and time-shares) ADA compliant for himself, but more especially for all Americans in wheelchairs. You too can help Jerry and do your part in this cause. Join the ACCESS "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" program in getting buildings ADA compliant at no cost to you. We will show you how, as we have done with Jerry.
If you interested in joining the "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" program and/or have any comments about joining, comment here or on our FaceBook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730#!/. Or give us a call at (702) 649-7575 and ask for me or Patricia. You can also reach me by email at hfalstad@accessts.net.
Hank
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Life's Too Short
I attended a funeral this past Sunday afternoon. I know the mother very well, it was her son that was buried that day. Not a happy occassion at all. But it did put things in perspective. Life is too short...and we still have a lot of work to do!
"Watchdogs", the Civil Rights Laws in our United States are for you. And, you have to do something about them. ACCESS is here to help you get buildings ADA compliant with our "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" program. For the next several months we are concentrating on the lodging industry: hotels, motels and time-share. As you travel, book an accessible room with 2-beds and a roll-shower. With your color digital camera, take 2-3 photos of the room, roll-in shower, lobby area, and public restrooms. On the outside of the facility, take photos of the accessible parking and a few overall photos of the building. Email the photos and a copy of your hotel bill. We will review the photos for ADA accessibility compliance and let you know if there is an ADA non-compliant building complaint worthy of filing.
There is a lot to live for, so let's get the ball rolling and get building ADA compliant for all handicapped persons.
I look forward to your comments here or on our FB page at http://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/. Or contact us at (702) 649-7575 and ask for myself or Patricia; you can also email me your comments at hfalstad@accessts.net.
Hank
"Watchdogs", the Civil Rights Laws in our United States are for you. And, you have to do something about them. ACCESS is here to help you get buildings ADA compliant with our "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" program. For the next several months we are concentrating on the lodging industry: hotels, motels and time-share. As you travel, book an accessible room with 2-beds and a roll-shower. With your color digital camera, take 2-3 photos of the room, roll-in shower, lobby area, and public restrooms. On the outside of the facility, take photos of the accessible parking and a few overall photos of the building. Email the photos and a copy of your hotel bill. We will review the photos for ADA accessibility compliance and let you know if there is an ADA non-compliant building complaint worthy of filing.
There is a lot to live for, so let's get the ball rolling and get building ADA compliant for all handicapped persons.
I look forward to your comments here or on our FB page at http://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/. Or contact us at (702) 649-7575 and ask for myself or Patricia; you can also email me your comments at hfalstad@accessts.net.
Hank
Monday, May 2, 2011
ADA Law: One sentence tells it all!
Janiell's ADA experience is like so many I hear. She was denied access to a public building, but what is Janiell's recourse? One sentence from the ADA law that tells it all:
Sec. 12182. Prohibition of discrimination by public accommodations
(a) General rule
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 accommodation.
Janiell has joined the ACCESS "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" program. The ACCESS "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" program is designed to bring ADA professional accessibility architects to the wheelchair community at no cost to the handicapped individual, with the objective of making buildings ADA compliant. This is a team effort, with the "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" as the team captains.
The handicapped in our communities, like Janiell's, deserving of the opportunity to travel. Today, the ACCESS program is focusing on the lodging industry: hotels, motels and time-shares. As you travel, book an accessible room with 2-beds and a roll-in shower. With your color digital camera, take 2-3 photos of the room, roll-in shower, lobby area, and public restroom. On the outside of the facility, take photos of the accessible parking and a few overall photos of the building. Email the photos and a copy of your hotel bill. We will review the photos for ADA accessibility compliance and let you know if there is an ADA non-compliant building complaint worthy of filing.
The "Watchdogs in Wheelchairs" have made a commitment, to not only get buildings ADA compliant for themselves, but especially for all persons that are handicapped so they too can have the opportunity to travel.
We'd like to here your comments here, or post them on our FB page @ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Access-Technologies-Services-Inc/268659564730#!/?sk=lf. And, as always, you can contact us directly at (702) 649-7575 and ask for myself or Patricia; or email me at hfalstad@accessts.net.
Hank.
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