Caution Urged on ADA Proposals

 

The administration needs to more closely consider the costs and burdens of its proposed regulations affecting the accessibility of public facilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), according to the U.S. Chamber.

 

At a July 15, 2008, Department of Justice (DOJ) hearing on ADA reform, Chamber Vice President of Labor, Immigration, and Employee Benefits Randy Johnson said that the administration's proposal would impact all businesses, not just stadiums and movie theaters as some have suggested.

 

The proposed regulations would cover every aspect of accessibility in commercial facilities and public accommodations-everything from the width of pedestrian passageways to the height of light switches. Johnson raised concern that the proposal would tighten barrier removal requirements, and that small businesses seeking an exemption based on costs would have to produce mountains of financial evidence including cost estimates, tax returns, and profit-loss statements. Further, Johnson said that under the DOJ proposal, employee work areas would come under the same clearance requirements as walkways, corridors, and other public spaces.

 

The cumulative effect of the proposed changes could be devastating to businesses already struggling to keep up with federal regulations, according to Johnson. "We and the agencies tend to look at each regulation in isolation. But I plead with you going forward to keep in mind the awesome challenges businesses face in complying with thousands and thousands of regulations already on the books." Visit www.uschamber.com/goto/adajohnson.