The Justice Department has published proposed rules that update the access standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The new rules address the number of disability seats in theaters, access to auditorium stages, definitions of service animals (monkeys need not apply), the proper placement of light switches in hotel rooms, and much more. The Chamber of Commerce is not a big fan of these rules, arguing that they impose costly burdens on businesses. But opponents of these rules miss a larger point. The business community has had a decade and a half to comply with both the letter and spirit of the ADA, but their collective foot-dragging and apathy has forced the feds’ hand. While the new rules might seem ponderous to some, they represent a concerted effort to compel both businesses and local governments to get serious about accessibility.
