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Firm Profile/Capabilities Continued |
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Ms.
Reddy and Mr. Payne co-developed and preformed the company’s Customized
Accessibility Surveyor Training Programs. These customized programs instruct
in-house staff to perform accessibility compliance reviews, based either on
the organization’s own survey instrument, a survey tool developed
specifically for the organization by ADA, Inc., or the use of ADA, Inc.’s
proprietary ADA Compliance Survey Instrument. Ms. Reddy and Mr. Payne have spent the
past several years developing and refining customized training programs for a
wide variety of the company’s clients to include: Blockbuster Corporation (San Diego, CA),
Eckerd Corporation (Clearwater, FL), The PA Department of Revenue/PA Lottery,
The PA Department of Public Welfare/Bureau of Managed Care Operations as well
as numerous others. ADA,
Inc. is a member of the National Association of ADA Coordinators. The
staff of ADA, Inc. has developed and refined their expertise in the area of
ADA compliance, with a specialization in Titles I, II & III. Continuing educational opportunities,
research into current issues and case law and other technical aspects of the
enforcement of the Act enables the staff to provide its clients with
up-to-date and accurate information and guidance. The company is sought out often to provide
technical assistance to members of the legal, design and public policy
communities. The
United States Department of Justice notes that there is no formal
accreditation for expertise in the Americans with Disabilities Act. The International Codes Council (ICC) does
however provide a certification program for an Accessibility Inspector/Plans
Examiner. As
described by ICC, “This certification is designed to show satisfactory
knowledge of relevant codes and standards necessary for competence in the
evaluation of both new construction and the retrofitting of
existing/adaptable buildings and associated plans examination. In general, the scope of this category
includes any structure except one and two-family dwellings. Duties typically performed by a building
code accessibility/usability specialist include: Examining
architectural plans submitted for new and retrofit construction for
compliance with the appropriate accessibility/usability standards. Assisting
and advising the general public in matters relating to building code
accessibility/usability. Inspecting
new and retrofit installations for compliance with the appropriate
accessibility/usability standards. Investigating
complaints to determine if there are any significant deviations from
mandatory accessibility/usability standards. Preparing
written reports, issuing notices to correct code violations and testifying in
court regarding violations.” As
described above, the ICC certification as an Accessibility Inspector/Plans
Examiner is conveyed on a professional who, by experience, is qualified to
take and pass an extensive examination for certification. Currently, Ms. Reddy, Ms. Cocuzzi and Mr.
Payne are each certified in this capacity. ADA,
Inc. has considerable experience in Title II issues, working on behalf of
defendants (Title II entities) who have been sued. Settlement agreements reached by these
parties have led to three extensive projects with the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania. ADA,
Inc.’s expert services recently assisted the Attorney General’s Office of the
State of Kansas in successfully resolving a Title II lawsuit that was before
the 10th Circuit US Court of Appeals.
Ms. Reddy and Mr. Payne completed the evaluation of the state’s 300
acre State Fairground, which contained 28 buildings, which was the focus of
the litigation. ADA,
Inc. performed a multi-year project with the PA Department of Revenue/PA
Lottery to evaluate more than 2,700 lottery retail outlets throughout the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This contract was a result of litigation, which
was settled by the engagement of ADA, Inc. to assess the accessibility of the
programs and services provided by the Lottery. ADA,
Inc. also evaluated more than 1,500 Primary Care Physicians and Dentists
offices throughout Southeastern PA on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department
of Public Welfare. This contract was
also a result of litigation, which was settled by the engagement of ADA, Inc.
to assess the accessibility of the programs and services provided by the
Department of Public Welfare for the five county regions of Southeastern PA. On
December 11, 2004, ADA, Inc. completed a program of Specialized Accessibility
Assistance for the Bureau of Managed Care Operations for the PA Department of
Public Welfare. This three year,
multi-phase project included more than 17 counties in the Southwestern and
Lehigh/Capital regions of the state. ADA,
Inc.’s expert services have expanded nationally in the area of litigation
support. This need arises when an ADA
lawsuit is filed and ADA, Inc. is engaged by either the Plaintiff/Plaintiff’s
Counsel or Defendant/Defendant’s Counsel.
When asked if our reports are different if we work for the Plaintiff
or the Defendant, our response is always that our job is to report the facts
and assist our client in resolving the issue. Most
recently, ADA, Inc. has provided expert ADA services in two very significant
ADA lawsuits. In both cases, ADA,
Inc.’s extensive knowledge, work and contributions to the case were noted by
our clients as major factors in their prevailing and/or resolving the case. Conclusion Because
the Americans with Disabilities Act is a civil rights law and not a building
code, the services of Accessibility Development Associates, Inc. provide a
much-needed perspective on how to achieve access for individuals with all
types of disabilities; both architecturally and programmatically. Our perspective helps our clients meet both
the letter and the spirit of the ADA in a cost-effective and creative
manner. We help our clients to see
that ADA compliance is a process that must be incorporated into the overall
planning strategy for any organization. In
providing professional ADA consulting services, Accessibility Development
Associates, Inc. maintains a completely objective stance on the types and
varieties of methods to achieve compliance.
ADA, Inc. does not design or perform any of the range of modifications
recommended, and does not serve as a vendor for any product that may be
recommended to achieve compliance. As an
organization, ADA, Inc. is uniquely positioned to provide credible and
competent consulting services, combining the users' perspective with a strong
in-depth working knowledge of the regulations of the Americans with
Disabilities Act and other relevant disability-related and anti
discrimination laws. |