Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015
Businesses Must Be Accessible
ADA SPECIALIST SAYS HOMEWORK, EFFORT IS BEST WAY TO AVOID LAWSUITS
By: Mike Eiman, Staff Reporter
As Kings County businesses continue to get hit with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuits, there are a few things businesses can do to protect themselves.
About 17 area businesses have had ADA lawsuits filed against them this year, mostly in Hanford. The most recent case was filed last month against Best Buy Market in Lemoore.
David Horn, a Fresno-based civil engineer and Certified Access Specialist (CASp), said about 1,500 ADA lawsuits have been filed in California this year. Horn has presented at ADA compliance workshops in Hanford, Lemoore and, just last week, in Avenal.
Horn said businesses can significantly reduce their risk of being sued for ADA violations by doing a little homework and addressing as many accessibility issues as they can. Those may include parking lots, restrooms, doors, routes in and out of the business and clear pathways inside the business.
Article Credit: The Sentinel