conuly: (Default)
[personal profile] conuly
The article prioritizes the viewpoint of the put-upon business owner, and many of the comments reflect that framing.

Which is ridiculous. If you knew going into this business that you had to follow the law to the letter, why the hell didn't you? If you're so scared of being sued, the easy way to avoid it is to be in compliance from the start!

In the comments we've got somebody whining about a business that was sued because a sign was six inches too short and what difference does that make. I don't know what difference that makes, but I know that if you keep your fridge six degrees too warm the health inspector is gonna have some words with you. If you know the sign has to be at a certain height, why isn't it at that height?

"They locked the door by accident, not out of malice and nobody got hurt!" Well, if they locked their emergency exit by accident, not out of malice, and nobody got hurt that night then they'd still be in trouble if the fire marshal happened to see it. But nobody would be too sympathetic then.

"Why doesn't he just tell them how to fix the problem without suing?" What, were you born yesterday? If it doesn't cost them, they won't fix it. They'll say "too bad, so sad, go visit one of our competitors, we'll get around to it someday".

"This isn't the way to change hearts and minds!" Maybe, maybe not, but happily, that doesn't seem to be his goal. He seems more concerned with changing infrastructure (and, yes, his balance.) But I gotta say, every civil rights fight has somebody saying that this isn't the way, where "the way" seems to be "suck it up, keep your head down, and let your quiet downtrodden dignity speak for itself".

"You don't have a right to go everywhere! If 50% of the businesses are accessible, isn't that enough?" First of all, 50%? Don't make me laugh. Secondly, replace your mental framing with "black people" or "gays" and see how that works for you. "That comparison is wrong!" Yeah, buddy, I know you are but what am I?

Ugh, people. There are special bonus points to the ones who went to the comments to rage that he didn't simply report to the appropriate agency that enforces ADA violations, despite the fact that the article correctly notes that there is no such thing. The law was designed to make disabled people and their lawyers the enforcement. Which sucks on so many levels.

Edit: To be clear, while the focus is on one particular lawsuit with one particular business owner, he seems to have filed 180 suits against 180 businesses. All of whom could've avoided this by following the law.

*

Date: 2021-08-01 07:12 am (UTC)
minoanmiss: A detail of the Ladies in Blue fresco (Default)
From: [personal profile] minoanmiss
Secondly, replace your mental framing with "black people" or "gays" and see how that works for you. "That comparison is wrong!" Yeah, buddy, I know you are but what am I?

This is a case where the comparison is spot-on. Bigotry is bigotry.

*makes a note of the article and gets a drink before attempting the comments*

Date: 2021-08-01 01:30 pm (UTC)
wpadmirer: (Default)
From: [personal profile] wpadmirer
Whoever owns that business wasn't doing those things by "accident." They just didn't give a damn. I have worked in so many places, and it's SO damn easy to meet the guidelines there is no excuse not to do so. He deserved those lawsuits.

Date: 2021-08-01 03:10 pm (UTC)
ioplokon: purple cloth (Default)
From: [personal profile] ioplokon
"Why didn't he just talk to them and they would change" Well, considering they didn't change after the first say, 10 times he sued them...

But yeah in my plumbing class the instructor talked about inspections and making sure you pass or fix issues, including ADA issues, promptly. Otherwise you get a reputation for non-compliance or poor workmanship and they will be on your ass every time. How is it different for other businesses?

Date: 2021-08-01 03:18 pm (UTC)
ioplokon: purple cloth (Default)
From: [personal profile] ioplokon
Ah well that is a bit different. I obviously didn't read the article & thought he sued the same place 180 times which is like, at that point the business owner is being belligerent!

But nonetheless, it is still the business's job to be in compliance so they don't get sued? So they don't get to be all shocked pikachu when someone actually sues them.

Date: 2021-08-02 02:30 pm (UTC)
silveradept: A kodama with a trombone. The trombone is playing music, even though it is held in a rest position (Default)
From: [personal profile] silveradept
Indeed. The ADA relies on businesses choosing to comply because it's the law and they want to be accessible, even if it's unprofitable to do so, and assumes that disabled people have the spare income to pursue lawsuits if someone chose to pursue profits over accessibility. I'm pretty sure we all know who's likely to have the money and the time to fight in court, so I'm glad that this person is able to hold businesses to account.

Date: 2021-08-03 04:12 am (UTC)
flamingsword: We now return you to your regularly scheduled crisis. :) (Default)
From: [personal profile] flamingsword
Also considering that most lawyers in the US want a retainer of a couple thousand bucks, which is the cutoff line that lets the government stop giving you disability/SSI checks (assuming you can get those in the first place).

Date: 2021-08-03 05:08 am (UTC)
silveradept: A kodama with a trombone. The trombone is playing music, even though it is held in a rest position (Default)
From: [personal profile] silveradept
Ah, yes, the entirely charming asset limits imposed on people to make sure nobody who isn't already fabulously wealthy gets rich off government largesse. How could we forget?

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