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ADA compliance and defense lawyer: ADA experts discuss hottest issues facing the hotel industry today
publication date: Feb 20, 2016
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author/source: Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group®
Hotel lawyer with latest insights from ADA experts on "ADA Compliance & Claims Prevention."At a recent gathering in Los Angeles, a group of ADA experts convened to discuss the hottest issues facing our industry. The panel was moderated by my colleague David Sudeck, who was kind enough to write an article for our readers summarizing some of the matters discussed. The PowerPoint presentation prepared by the panelists is also available by clicking here In addition, David Sudeck and Marty Orlick, have written articles and been featured on several webinars, on the topic of Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as specifically on the new 2010 Regulations which came into effect in part on March 15, 2011 and in part on March 15, 2012 (other than the pool lift regulations, the implementation of which have been delayed, as discussed below). Please feel free to contact either one of them - dsudeck@jmbm.com (David Sudeck) or morlick@jmbm.com (Marty Orlick) for additional reference materials or if you would like to discuss your ADA compliance and defense questions. There have been more than 15,000 ADA lawsuits filed in the United States. Failure to comply is expensive and bad for business. It is important to be ADA-friendly. Here is the summary of the panel discussion . . . Latest insights from the experts on ADA issues by David A. Sudeck, Senior Member of JMBM's Global Hospitality Group® and Moderator of the "ADA Compliance & Claims Prevention" Panel at the 2012 Meet the Money® conference Experts on ADA Break-out Panel: Panelists: David Sudeck- Moderator, Senior Member of Global Hospitality Group® - Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP. David is a transactional hotel and timeshare attorney, and in that capacity frequently prepares written ADA Policies and Procedures for owners and managers in the hospitality industry. If you do not have written ADA and local accessibility policies and procedures for your hotel or timeshare property, then you are taking unnecessary risks.Testing two common ADA myths There have been more than 15,000 ADA lawsuits filed in the United States. Failure to comply is expensive and bad for business. It is important to be ADA-friendly. There is abundant law and lore in ADA compliance. Lore is often passed by word of mouth and often attains the status of urban legends or mythology. Not all urban legends are right. How would you do on evaluating truth from fiction on two of these myths? Myth #1: "My property was built before the ADA was enacted, and we haven't done anything to it, so we're grandfathered in."Reality: This is false. Every place of "public accommodation"(every hotel, restaurant, retail and other facility open to the public) is covered by the requirements of the ADA, as recently amended. There are no exceptions. As a business, you have to evaluate if barrier removal is "readily achievable." JMBM and its expert resources can help you make this determination. Myth #2: "The building inspector reviewed my plans and gave me a permit. Therefore, my property must be in compliance with accessibility laws."Reality: This is false. Building and safety review does not ensure compliance with accessibility laws, and it offers you no protection from liability. Latest ADA developments on pool lifts and spa lifts An area of focus was pool and spa lift requirements - The implementation of this one requirement of the 2010 Regulations was delayed from March 15, 2012 to May 21, 2012 and then (and currently) to January 31, 2013. Once this requirement goes into effect, all public accommodations (including hotels, motels, inns and most timeshares) will be required to install fixed pool lifts at all pools and spas, unless the same is not "readily achievable." See our more detailed blog article on this topic: ADA compliance and defense lawyer alert: ADA pool lift deadline extended to January 31, 2013 Every place of "public accommodation" . . . is covered by the requirements of the ADA, as recently amended. There are no exceptions. What's new in the 2010 Regulations ALREADY IN EFFECT? Facilities/Elements - The following facilities and elements are now covered by the 2010 regulations, and all public accommodations must comply with the requirements relating to these facilities and elements to the extent "readily achievable":
New Policies & Procedures - these requirements are in effect for all public accommodations (as of March 15, 2012):
Website Accessibility . . . is an area of focus for the Department of Justice. This area is evolving, but your website must already comply with all current reservation requirements. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you do not have written ADA and local accessibility policies and procedures for your hotel or timeshare property, then you are taking unnecessary risks. New Guest Room Requirements for Mobility and Communication Features - these requirements apply to new and altered public accommodations. What Can You Do to Avoid Liability? Training - Training is critically important, and it can help prevent expensive litigation. Thought must go into the preparation of an accessible room, and the approach must be different depending on the disability of the individual who has booked the room. JMBM performs site inspection surveys and works with hotel operators to train the staff to address the needs and concerns of individuals with disabilities. ADA Surveys/Site Inspections - Even if you own or operate a newly constructed property, an ADA Survey will likely reveal areas of non-compliance and rooms for improvement in policies and procedures. By working with a CASp (Certified Access Specialist program) certified consultant, you may enjoy certain protections against liability while you seek to bring your property into compliance. Website Accessibility - This is an area of focus for the Department of Justice. This area is evolving, but your website must already comply with all current reservation requirements. With limited exceptions . . . accessible rooms must be held back as the last rooms sold . . . and must be hard blocked for the reserving party. Federal (ADA) Compliance is Not Enough Note that state accessibility requirements are often more comprehensive than the requirements of the ADA. Consult experienced counsel in connection establishing your accessibility policies. You Need an Expert JMBM is available to assist with compliance, training and defense. We understand and have experience with accessibility laws and how they apply to the hospitality industry. Develop a Strategy to Avoid Costly Litigation In any event: Figure out an effective implementation strategy that will allow you to be proactive. If you get sued, then you didn't do your job. Develop a plan now. Other ADA defense and compliance resources You can access the full library of ADA materials on Hotel Law Blog by going to the home page, selecting the tab at the top that says "HOTEL LAW TOPICS", and then clicking on "ADA Defense & Compliance" in the drop down menu . |
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