The Bush administration is about to propose far-reaching new rules that would give people with disabilities greater access to tens of thousands of courtrooms, recreational facilities and more, and affect more than 7 million businesses as well as all state and local government agencies.
The proposal would substantially update and rewrite federal standards for enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a landmark civil rights law passed with strong bipartisan support in 1990.
The new rules would set more stringent requirements in many areas and address some issues for the first time, in an effort to meet the needs of an aging population and growing numbers of disabled war veterans.
The proposal includes some exemptions for parts of existing buildings, but any new construction or renovations would have to comply.
The new standards would affect everything from the location of light switches to the height of retail service counters, to the use of monkeys as “service animals” for people with disabilities.
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The White House approved the proposal in May after a five-month review. It is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, with 60 days for public comment.
Already, the proposal is stirring concern. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce says it would be onerous and costly, while advocates for the disabled say it does not go far enough.
The Census Bureau says more than 51 million Americans have some kind of disability, with nearly two-thirds of them reporting severe impairments.
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Proposed changes
Courts: lift or ramp to witness stand
Auditoriums: lift or ramp to stage for graduations, events
Sports stadiums (25,000 or more seating): messages on scoreboards and video monitors with safety and emergency information
Theaters: specified number of seats for wheelchair users
Hotel rooms: light switch height lowered to 48 inches (from 54 inches)
New swimming pools (perimeters of more than 300 feet): accessible entry, such as ramp