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June 17, 2008 the Federal Register published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) by the
Department or Justice, Civil Rights Division This involves all organizations throughout the
Nation, (not lodging, only). The American Hotel & Lodging Association in cooperation with
several hospitality organizations has established a working group involving many of the hotel
corporations. The working document is 90 pages and may be downloaded at
www.ada.gov/NPRM2008/t2NPRM_federalreg.htm.
Although the initial organizational conference call was on June 30, 2008, if you have special
interest and wish to make comments or be otherwise involved contact:
Kevin L. Maher
Senior Vice President for Governmental Affairs
American Hotel & Lodging Association
1201 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 600,
Washington DC 20005
Phone: 202-289-3147
Fax: 202-289-3185
kmaher@ahla.com
www.ahla.com
AN ADA REMINDER: While on the subject, I was in a number of properties during June, and
at 87 years young, I appreciate an accessible room with appropriate grab bars in the tub or
shower stall. Check to be sure you are in compliance with the current ADA requirements.
Although I stayed in properties that are part of international organizations, there were violations
that could result in a $25,000.00 fine if reported by a disabled person to the Civil Rights Division
of the Department of Justice. In addition, there would be the cost of bringing the facility into full
compliance. In one instance, a single vertical bar at the front end of the tub presumably qualified
the room as an accessible room. Not likely. In the other case, there was a suite configuration. A
wheel chair guest could enter the vestibule and enter the bathroom which had adequate vertical
and horizontal bars for the shower stall and commode transfer. But one could not get the wheel
chair past the sink and microwave installations and into the sitting room area and the bedroom of
the suite. |
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AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking