AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT IDIOCY

AND THE MULTIMILLION DOLLAR NFL LAWSUIT
THAT PROVES ME RIGHT

When facility architects and government regulatory officials swear anything new is automatically 100% accessible "because it was built since the ADA was enacted" -- they are being idiots.

To the tune of tens of millions of dollar$.  

See this story: https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/03/26/49ers-agree-to-settle-mobility-disability-case-for-24-million/

When I worked for a major American city, I would see plans for developments and public projects that clearly had great gaps in accessibility – both to a usable and ADA compliant standard.

Being the spouse of a person who uses a wheelchair for mobility – and knowing the cost of universal design is almost zero when done up front – I would point out these errors to public works, capital improvements, building and land use officials.

I would always get “Steve, you’re being too aggressive and out of line – the ADA has been around for years, so it HAS TO BE ACCESSIBLE.”

It was the ultimate “stay in your lane jackass” put down.

And I would think okay, brilliant one…so if something is written down in the rules somewhere, it magically guarantees 100% of human beings will follow it.

No one will ever be tempted, for whatever reason, to break the rules and not give a damn unless caught.

Wow, that’s why the at the next City Commission meeting, we’ll be disbanding the police force.

Because if burglary, robbery, arson, rape, murder…are on the books somewhere as being forbidden, everyone will just behave and comply 100% -- with no oversight, supervision or consequences.

Oh, they don’t. And we need to dedicate resources to making them behave and not run roughshod over innocent people.

Wow, then I guess maybe some city officials and departments better get off their lazy duffs and review plans, send warnings and police designers/contractors/developers/builders who are all too willing to flout federal law enacted to ensure access for all.