Letters: Mayoral politics, prisons,
etc.
Published
Rampant disregard of access law Re
"The price of access," Nov. 12-14: The series on disability access
lawsuits highlights ongoing access problems experienced by people with
disabilities. The number of lawsuits filed in the state is the result of the
continuing rampant disregard for laws in place in
Remedies already exist to address
improper conduct by attorneys and litigants, should that occur. But unless and
until the state decides to establish and fund an effective system of public
education and enforcement, responsibility for enforcing disability access laws
will remain in the hands of private parties.
Without zealous advocacy by
disability-rights activists and attorneys, access will remain an empty and
unfulfilled promise. Business owners who feel threatened by potential lawsuits
should be looking for ways to address the underlying problem themselves: the
widespread failure to remove physical obstacles and change attitudinal barriers
that continue to prevent people with disabilities from being fully included
members of the community.
- Eric Gelber, Sacramento
Managing Attorney, Protection & Advocacy, Inc.