In recent years there has been a trend in “Drive-By” Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuits. These are multiple lawsuits filed against large and small businesses demanding thousands of dollars in legal fees to settle. The focus of these suits seems to be more about money than access. Don’t misunderstand what I am saying. There is definitely a time and place for action through the courts to insure accessibility, after all The Americans with Disabilities Act is a Federal Law that has been around for nearly 17 years.

By having a facility audit, staff trainings and policy reviews performed by qualified consultants, you can limit your exposure to these types of lawsuits. Note here that I said “limit”, there is no consultant, architect or attorney who can “certify” that you are 100% compliant, only the courts and the government can do that.

We know that most businesses and employers don't intentionally discriminate. We assume that everyone wants to do the right thing. But we also know that you may not understand exactly what to do or how to comply. Many advocacy groups focus on filing complaints however we have found that, for us, an “Education Before Litigation” approach to the access issues facing business today gets the best results.

My name is Randy G. Wagoner and I am a nationally recognized ADA/Access Expert. I am a member of the National ADA Training & Implementation Network and the National Association of ADA Coordinators. I am a wheelchair user and 1 of 150 people nationwide who received Federal Training as an ADA Compliance Consultant through the EEOC and US Department of Justice. I am also the owner and Lead Consultant for Wagoner & Associates. (Complete Bio Here).

One thing to remember is that the ADA is not just about one type of disability. I may use a wheelchair and have personal experience with mobility issues but my training covers overall ADA compliance as it relates to a wide range of disabilities. I am not a "specialist" on any particular disability, not even my own, I am a trained, experienced and respected ADA Consultant.

Another important reminder is that while the ADA is a wonderful law, it may not always say what people want it to say so compliance may not always equal giving someone exactly what they ask for, or even demand. We encourage clients to exceed the ADA whenever possible but sometimes, even with the best intentions and efforts, a complaint may still be received. Do your best and don't be afraid to ask for help.

We don't pay for a big office or a high tech glossy website so that keeps our overhead down and that means lower costs for our clients. Take a look around our modest website, review our client list, and read what is being said about us. If you have any questions please contact us, we would be happy to help.

Don’t let a simple matter of access or an off-hand remark to a customer or employee result in your business suffering financially. Let us take the worry out of your ADA obligations so you can focus on growing your business.

Sincerely,

Randy G. Wagoner
President

The ADA is a Federal Civil Rights Law and while it is not technically a "Building Code" in the traditional sense, it still includes a set of physical access standards. The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) cover the bricks and mortar of what it takes to make buildings, businesses, recreation areas, polling places and literally thousands of other facilities and locations accessible to people with disabilities.

There are no Federal "Wheelchair Police" that come out to inspect every building or read every set of plans. In most States there is not an agency that inspects for ADA compliance. Why ? Because it is a Federal Law, NOT a State law. Local Officials also may not have a specific responsibility as "ADA Inspectors", however the catch for State and Local Officials is that you have business people, builders, developers and many others coming to your planning and zoning departments for building and occupancy permits and for advise and some sort of official nod in their direction related to whether or not they meet ADA standards.

Architects and Code Inspectors can not certify ADA Compliance, only the Department of Justice and the other Federal Agencies with ADA authority can do that. What you CAN do however is consult with a TRAINED and EXPERIENCED firm such as Wagoner & Associates, Inc. to get the assistance that you and those you serve need.

Several of our staff, including the President and our Senior Consultant have many years working in the public sector for municipalities and specifically in the Public Safety/Law Enforcement communities. We have a clear understanding of the policies and proceedures as well as the "Officer Safety" related needs of the job. We have addressed many groups related to Law Enforcement and Public Safety and provided trainings on interacting with people with disabilities.

With our Specific, Federally Sponsored and Approved, ADA Training and our years of first hand experience, WEDOADA can provide facility audits, plan review, staff training and other services. While no one can "Certify Compliance", Wagoner & Associates are considered to be experts in the field and can provide our expert opinion on your projects. Contact us today to see how we can assist you.

It’s simple. There are two ways for you to approach the ADA. The right way and the wrong way. We do things the right way. We view ADA consulting as a profession by itself, not an “add-on” to other services.

Being a contractor, an attorney or an architect does not automatically make someone a qualified ADA Consultant. The proper knowledge, training, years of experience and expertise in this highly diverse subject is what makes a consultant qualified.

A qualified ADA/Accessibility Consultant can potentially SAVE your business hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees, fines and monetary damages to say nothing of costly bad publicity.

Maintain control of your ADA Compliance efforts. Be proactive, hire a qualified consultant and build "good faith" rather than be told what you will do and have a deadline set by Federal enforcement agencies and the Courts because you decided to "wait and see".

Compliance doesn’t need to be painful, frightening, overly stressful, or so expensive that it puts you out of business. BUT it is the LAW and DOES need to be done.

Couldn't your business benefit from an on-site audit to look at the level of physical access you currently offer your customers? Can you afford to wait and wonder?

Wouldn't you rest easier knowing your policies have been reviewed and that there are qualified people assisting you and your staff to conduct proper disability awareness trainings and insure the proper procedures are being followed when hiring (and firing) employees?

©Copyright 1996/2008
Randy G. Wagoner

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