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Tuesday, September 23, 2003
"Parking Mad"
Ouch!, the BBC's disability web page, brings us "Ten things that make me Parking Mad!" Complete with dry British humor that only people like myself can understand. Here is the best quote of excuses people come up with for illegally parking in a handicapped parking spot: "I lost both my legs last week, but by nothing short of a miracle I just found them in the shop I've been in for the past 2 hours ..."
Posted by Jeff at exactly 7:48:00 PM.
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Thursday, September 18, 2003
Life Imitating "Art"
Well, not exactly, more like television. Yes, I realize I'm a little late with this little tidbit about Howard Dean using lines from a TV show, but I couldn't leave it off my weblog. Just as a reminder, the presidential candidate appeared in an episode of K. Street on HBO and was "coached" by James Carville to make a statement that disparaged Republicans, then went on to use the same line in an actual debate. This really comes as no surprise me. I have had suspicion about Howard Dean's honesty and "straight talk." And what really scares me is that he actually thought nobody would notice. So, now the man of the people needs coaching from a consultant to be "real"?
Posted by Jeff at exactly 2:34:00 PM.
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Isabel Effects
So far the winds are not terribly strong, but we expect that to change by tonight. It's been raining for about two hours now and it's not supposed to let up until later tomorrow afternoon. Locally, flooding is not an issue where I live, since I'm on our buildings ninth floor. Anyway, we have some canned food, but I'm hoping it doesn't come to that. I will only post about the hurricane if something important happens, turn to the Weather Channel if you want continuously breaking updates from people getting pelted with rain and sand.
Posted by Jeff at exactly 2:19:00 PM.
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Monday, September 15, 2003
Loss of Advocate and Commissioner
Geoffrey Baynard, who was a member of the Alexandria Commission on Persons with Disabilities, died several weeks ago. I did not know him at all, because I had only attended one meeting with him. The Washington Post published an obituary about him which shows what an advocate he really was. As a side note, one of my fellow commission members told us how Geoff had assisted Justin Dart (a disability advocate) during his fight for passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act and that he was present when President Bush signed it into law.
Posted by Jeff at exactly 4:27:00 PM.
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Tuesday, September 02, 2003
Accessible D.C.
As I mentioned previously, I started writing for Audacity Magazine. My first article is an accessibility review for the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. You can check out the article and the rest of the Magazine by clicking here.
Posted by Jeff at exactly 2:53:00 PM.
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Monday, September 01, 2003
ADA Abuse?
This is truly appalling. Suing a business that is inaccessible is one thing, but suing them for emotional distress when they have made a diligent effort to include accommodations is ridiculous. Here is just one example: "One suit alleged that Christopher Hill suffered emotional distress because there was no van-accessible parking at Marita's Cantina of Bryn Mawr. William J. Brennan, attorney for Marita's, shot back that there was no van-accessible parking because the restaurant had no parking lot." Besides that, the law firm filing the lawsuits plans to sue 400 to 500 businesses a month until they reach 5000 lawsuits and they are demanding a $2000 fee from the businesses to cover "expenses." As I mentioned before, I believe it's important to address inaccessibility directly to a business. Making the United States more accessible should be the goal not financial gain. The "emotional distress" claim is simply a way around the Americans with Disabilities Act, which does not allow financial compensation rather it requires compliance. The lawsuits should be a last resort.
Posted by Jeff at exactly 11:06:00 AM.
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