US: Oppose Industry Attacks on the ADA

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Oppose Industry Attacks on the ADA

The ADA has been in effect for 21 years, and all the new ADA rules have undergone extensive review for more than 10 years, with multiple comment periods and many opportunities for hotels to learn about their responsibilities. The new requirements already had a generous phase-in period of 18 months. DOJ should not extend it further. And the Senate should not restrict enforcement of these, or any, ADA requirements.

Providing access to swimming pools is doable, not burdensome. The ADA's accessibility requirements for barrier removal in existing facilities are very reasonable—they only require what is easily accomplishable and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense. The rules are carefully crafted to take the needs of covered entities like hotels into account. No extension or enforcement ban is needed.

Also, it is not acceptable for the Department of Justice to backtrack on ADA requirements because an industry exerts pressure. To do so is an invitation to other industries to say, "Roll back our requirements, too." Today it's the hotel industry. What weakening changes will come tomorrow?