Friday, October 19, 2012

Widespread ADA Violations Found On Capitol Hill


It’s been more than 20 years since Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act, but today the grounds of the U.S. Capitol are still largely inaccessible to people with disabilities, a new report finds, with everything from sidewalks to bathrooms posing barriers.
The findings come from the first analysis of physical accessibility at the Capitol and the legislative office buildings surrounding it conducted by Congress’ Office of Compliance, an independent federal agency.
Investigators found 154 “barriers to access” outside House office buildings, 84 of which were deemed to pose safety risks to those with disabilities. In numerous areas, inspectors found “ramps or sidewalks that could cause wheelchairs to flip backwards or fall sideways.” Meanwhile, a random check of six restrooms in the congressional buildings found none that met standards of the ADA.
Read more of Michelle Diament's Disability Scoop article HERE.

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