I’m with Gayle on this. We had some issues a couple of years ago at this museum that had nothing to do with anything so major as an elevator – bathroom stall measurements and water fountain heights that were a bit off (they were installed as disabled access before ADA specifications existed), and existing ramp grades that were deemed too steep – that resulted in eight-figure lawsuit. We were fortunate that renovation/retrofitting plans were already in the works and we were able to reach an agreement.  I’m not sure that would have happened if we were looking for ways to get out making the changes.

 

Are you in an historical building? I believe there may be different criteria for those buildings with historical designations, but I’m absolutely not an expert.

 

Rachel Talent Ivers

Head Registrar

Museum of Art | Ft. Lauderdale

One East Las Olas Boulevard

Fort Lauderdale, FL  33301

954.525.5500 ext. 292

direct: 954.670.2862

fax: 954.524.6011

[log in to unmask]

 

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gayle
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2008 4:03 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] ADA Requirements

 

I'm not sure why you are asking, but be careful, be very careful about this route.  In effect, it discriminates against People With Disabilities (kind of like saying, Cinderella, you can't go to the ball, but we'll show you a video tape of what you missed).  I can understand why you may wish to go around the requirement, and offering the intellectual access is better than nothing, but there are plenty of disability advocates who take comparable matters to court.  Be sure to get your ducks in order if that's the direction you're considering.



Laura Abrams <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Has anyone had any experience arguing an exception from ADA requirements to
put in an elevator, by providing intellectual access to the exhibits or
programming on the second floor of a museum?

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