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A building has two (2) entrances, and two (2) handicap ramps. One side of the building has the automatic door opener, however, the other side does not. Is the building in violation of the American Disabilities Act?
Optional Information: State/Country relating to question: California Already Tried: I have talked to an attorney but she did not know anything about ADA.
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Can you please share some details about the building (even rough estimates would be fine): (1) size; (2) type (i.e. restaurant, hotel, office, etc.); and (3) reason (if you know) for having one automatic door opener but two entrances and two ramps?
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The building is a college "hall," and it has 4 floors and it is a rather large building. To get from one side of the building to the other is about a half of a city block.
That is why I am asking about ADA. Is the building required to have two (2) automatic door openers, one for each door.
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QUESTION: "Is the building in violation of the American Disabilities Act?"
ANSWER: Here is how this works. Actually, there are many laws implicated here, including (as you astutely mentioned) the Americans with Disabilities Act but perhaps even more importantly section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It boils down to both individual access and an overall access plan. Under your description, I see no way that a disabled person could reasonably be expected to navigate such distance. Hence, this places an obvious and literal obstacle in their path. It would be entirely appropriate to seek help form the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section (free of charge): How to File a Title III Complaint.
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