Legal-Ease: Handicap parking, buildings under the ADA

The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act was a major milestone to help protect people with disabilities. The law created requirements for handicap accessibility at businesses that provide goods and services.

The most recent updates to the ADA regulations were created in 2010 by the U.S. Department of Justice. The ADA has shown that it’s valuable to all Americans, those with disabilities and otherwise.

The ADA essentially requires that all businesses make reasonable accommodations to allow people with disabilities to be able to participate in the purchase of goods and services sold by businesses. Federal law provides specific details on how businesses should accommodate people with disabilities.

Last week, I traveled out of town. Inevitably, I needed to make a stop to use the bathroom. I parked my truck in a parking spot in a retail business’s parking lot, which spot was not marked with the blue handicap designation.

However, when I got to the men’s room, all urinals/stalls except for one “handicapped” accessible stall were occupied. Of course, my over-analytical mind instantly wondered if it was OK to use a handicap bathroom even though I cannot use a handicap parking spot, unless I am truly handicapped.

Read Lee’s full article in the Lima News about the Americans with Disabilities Act here: Legal-Ease: Handicap parking, buildings under the ADA

Lee R. Schroeder is an Ohio licensed attorney at Schroeder Law LLC in Putnam County. He limits his practice to business, real estate, estate planning and agriculture issues in northwest Ohio. He can be reached at Lee@LeeSchroeder.com or at 419-659-2058. This article is not intended to serve as legal advice, and specific advice should be sought from the licensed attorney of your choice based upon the specific facts and circumstances that you face.

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