Initiatives

Accessibility

Ballard Spahr’s Accessibility team is fully versed in all areas of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other laws designed to protect the rights of people with disabilities. We help clients nationwide to assess their rights and responsibilities under the law, design programs to keep them in compliance, and defend them against claims of discrimination.

The ADA prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have an equal chance to enjoy employment opportunities, purchase goods and services, and participate in government programs. But the scope of what can be considered a disability is increasing—as are the accommodations necessary to comply with the law. Our clients include landlords, tenants, businesses, educational institutions, health care facilities, sports and recreational venues, and transportation systems. Many of our employer clients also are Title III entities or state and local governments. We help them navigate the provisions of the statute, regulatory guidance, and case law; respond to requests for accommodation or modifications; react to inquiries by federal, state, and local administrative agencies; and defend litigation when it arises.

Experience 

  • Defending a national insurance company and its subsidiaries in connection with website accessibility claims filed by plaintiffs' firm
  • Advising major hospitality and entertainment companies in responding to ADA website accessibility demand letters
  • Serving as ADA counsel to a national bank and advising on the full range of accessibility matters including point of sale devices, telephone communications, reasonable accommodations for consumers, policies, and procedures, and websites