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Texas Group Files 32 Lawsuits for Lack of ADA Access
By Mitch Goulding
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
http://www.twcnews.com/tx/austin/politics/2015/07/28/group-files-32-lawsuits-for-lack-of-ada-access.html
Twenty-five years after the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, advocates say there's still a lot of work left to be done.
"Continue to find people jobs and be able to live independently in their community, just like everybody else does who doesn't have a disability,” Cassie Fisher with the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services said.
Some of that help has come in the way of technology. With more and more accessible vehicles on the road, those in wheelchairs now have a chance to get behind the wheel.
"It gets people out of their home and back into the community. And that can mean having jobs, getting to their jobs … going shopping, enjoying all the things we get to enjoy,” Mary Zatopek with United Access said.
Though progress is being made in many places, the Texas Civil Rights Project marked the ADA's 25th anniversary with 32 lawsuits across the state. Nearly half of those are in Austin, many on the residential-turned-entertainment district of Rainey Street.
"The food court is particularly a problem because there's some really simple solutions they can make down there,” David Wittie with ADAPT of Texas said.
Disability advocates say all too often, they're still being left out of opportunities like going out to eat or grabbing a drink.
"It's more trouble to file a lawsuit, but it gets the attention of the business. And hopefully with these very few, relatively few lawsuits that we filed this year, we'll be able to get the attention of quite a few other businesses,” Wittie said.
Across the spectrum, disability advocates agree they've come a long way toward equal access, but for those personally affected, it comes down to one message.
"Fix your access. Invite us in. We'll spend our money,” Wittie said.
The group has filed 21 lawsuits against 14 Austin businesses. The allegations include a lack of accessible restrooms, dining space for disabled people and accessible parking.
None of the 32 lawsuits are in San Antonio. The Texas Civil Rights Project says that doesn't mean that all businesses are compliant with ADA laws. Instead, they say it's due to a lack of resources and ability for outreach in the Alamo City.
By Mitch Goulding
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
http://www.twcnews.com/tx/austin/politics/2015/07/28/group-files-32-lawsuits-for-lack-of-ada-access.html
Twenty-five years after the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, advocates say there's still a lot of work left to be done.
"Continue to find people jobs and be able to live independently in their community, just like everybody else does who doesn't have a disability,” Cassie Fisher with the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services said.
Some of that help has come in the way of technology. With more and more accessible vehicles on the road, those in wheelchairs now have a chance to get behind the wheel.
"It gets people out of their home and back into the community. And that can mean having jobs, getting to their jobs … going shopping, enjoying all the things we get to enjoy,” Mary Zatopek with United Access said.
Though progress is being made in many places, the Texas Civil Rights Project marked the ADA's 25th anniversary with 32 lawsuits across the state. Nearly half of those are in Austin, many on the residential-turned-entertainment district of Rainey Street.
"The food court is particularly a problem because there's some really simple solutions they can make down there,” David Wittie with ADAPT of Texas said.
Disability advocates say all too often, they're still being left out of opportunities like going out to eat or grabbing a drink.
"It's more trouble to file a lawsuit, but it gets the attention of the business. And hopefully with these very few, relatively few lawsuits that we filed this year, we'll be able to get the attention of quite a few other businesses,” Wittie said.
Across the spectrum, disability advocates agree they've come a long way toward equal access, but for those personally affected, it comes down to one message.
"Fix your access. Invite us in. We'll spend our money,” Wittie said.
The group has filed 21 lawsuits against 14 Austin businesses. The allegations include a lack of accessible restrooms, dining space for disabled people and accessible parking.
None of the 32 lawsuits are in San Antonio. The Texas Civil Rights Project says that doesn't mean that all businesses are compliant with ADA laws. Instead, they say it's due to a lack of resources and ability for outreach in the Alamo City.