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Local organization offers help to businesses who violate the Americans with Disabilities Act 

Posted at 3:01 PM, Jun 21, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-08 16:50:24-04

Is your business or parking lot compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act?

Although ADA regulations have been in place since 1990, many businesses throughout Colorado are not in compliance.

The Independence Center in Colorado Springs has partnered with a new ADA compliance consulting firm called “ASAP” to provide assessments of parking lots to improve accessibility for those with special needs.

ADA Surveys and Plans (ASAP) launched following a series of News 5 Investigations into people who used the ADA to make money by suing for violations and then demanding thousands of dollars to settle.

The people behind these lawsuits often do not have a disability, nor did they care to follow up with the business owner to address the alleged violation.

A federal judge ruled these lawsuits appeared to be more about money and less about ADA compliance.

“This effort was born out of the crazy number of “drive-by-lawsuits” that were happening over the past year and business owners inability to find the information necessary to become compliant,” Gabe Taylor with The Independence Center said. “If all goes right, this should help to eliminate the issues the lawsuits were claiming to be about.”

ASAP will provide businesses with compliance assessments during the month of June, and business owners will get a step-by-step plan on how to become ADA compliant.

“The cost of implementing the recommended changes is often negligible when considering the cost of lawyers’ fees and missed consumer interactions that come with having a business that is inaccessible to people with disabilities,” a press released from The Independence Center said. “Surveys of parking elements are free to 100 businesses during the month of June.”

Interested business owners can reach Teri Ulrich of ASAP at 719-357-6654 to have their business added to the survey list.

About The Independence Center

The Independence Center (The IC) is a local nonprofit organization that provides traditional and self-directed home health care, independent living, Veterans’, and advocacy services for people with disabilities. These services range from providing peer support, skills classes, and employment assistance to individual and systems advocacy. In addition, The IC runs a Certified Nurse Aide training program to equip the area with qualified CNAs. The IC’s mission is to work with people with disabilities, their families, and the community to create independence so all may thrive.

About ADA Surveys and Plans (ASAP)

ADA Surveys and Plans Surveys and Plans LLC (ASAP) started in 2017 as a response to drive-by lawsuits becoming common place and business owners being confused as to what was needed for their business to become ADA compliant.  The three partners have a combined experience of 27 years of working with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  It is their hope and purpose to give low cost, useful Title III ADA surveys to businesses and government agencies to assist in supporting local business as well as increasing accessibility throughout Colorado for every one of every ability.