Obama Upgrades ADA On Its 20th Birthday

A South Lawn Celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act

July 26, 2010 marks an important step in the journey to full equality for all Americans: the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

President Obama celebrated this milestone last Monday with a high-spirited summer gathering on the South Lawn of the White House, which you can relive by watching this video from the White House website.

But this get-together was more than just a party- it also marks the signing of an Executive Order to increase the number of disabled persons employed by the Federal Government.

What’s more, Obama announced the adoption of new rules to clarify certain aspects of the ADA.

How will Obama’s new rules change ADA standards for churches, schools, libraries, theaters, and other venues?

How Will New ADA Rules Affect Public Venues?

As a provider of assistive listening devices for the hearing impaired, we’re committed to helping our clients comply withADA regulations for public events.

Here are some important highlights of the rules that could affect you:

The law specifies which mobility devices and service animals must be given access to venues. (In some cases this could include miniature horses)!

New rules outline standards for releasing unsold accessible seating, and clarify rules for third-party ticket sales (aka ‘scalped’ tickets). Essentially, this guarantees accessible seating to ticket-holders who purchase tickets through authorized channels only.

Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) systems are now an acceptable assistive listening system for public venues. This includes wired and high-bandwidth wireless systems. The law also sets performance standards for VRI equipment, as well as training requirements for operators.

The law outlines specific requirements for companion seating, as well as lines-of-sight over standing spectators for seated wheelchair users.

The law requires accessible routes in general circulation paths to both seating and stages. There’s also a provision making outdoor access routes illegal if the main circulation route is indoors.

Information on these provisions (and many others) are outlined on the ADA website.

Do you represent a venue that’s required to provide hearing assistance by the ADA? Give our staff of technicians a call at 407-757-3326 or email us for information on the ADA or for help finding a listening system that’s ideal for your venue!