TS Today - Creating a Vision for the Future of Vacation Ownership Issue #142, Jul/Aug 2015 | Page 39

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TimeSharing Today

Page 39

Understanding
the ADA
By Suzanne A. Thomas
This year celebrates the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with
Disabilities Act. What was celebrated as a
civil-rights victory to bring down the wall
of exclusion for millions of people with disabilities and their families has left millions
of businesses still wondering what the law
means to them.
Timeshare properties are especially
vulnerable to myths and misconceptions
about the law. Some think they are “grandfathered” because their property was built
prior to 1990. Others think they are in compliance because their property was built
after the law went into effect. Still others
learned through the national pool lift controversy of 2012 that they really had a lot of
work to do, besides the pool lift, but didn’t
know where or how to begin.
Why does this law engender so much
confusion and why do so many think the
law is “gray” and unmanageable?
First, the very principle of the ADA is
WREHÀH[LEOHDVWRZKDWLVUHDGLO\DFKLHYable barrier removal, so it will work for
businesses in a wide range of size and
economic ability. Business owners should
celebrate that government understood this
when creating the law, and embrace the
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Second, no government-driven “inspection” of businesses exists to “certify”
whether the business is in compliance. City
and county building departments don’t
“plan check” or inspect for ADA.
This is good for business and for people with disabilities; it creates an opportunity for the two groups to work together in
planning for compliance.
Some businesses will argue, “Just have
someone tell me what to do.” I say take the
time to understand the law, involve people
with disabilities in planning for removal
of barriers, and create an individualized
common-sense plan for compliance that is
customized to your property’s individual
needs. This plan will save you time, money, [