June 2024 Listening Forum in Orange County

The CCDA Listening Forum: Disability Compliance at Places of Business to Improve Access for All, took place in Orange County. The listening forum focused on compliance in local businesses, featuring a presentation from the State Architect and a panel Q&A discussion. CCDA Executive Director, April Dawson Rawlings welcomed everyone and provided an overview for the listening forum.

Commissioner Ida Clair, State Architect, presented, “Accessibility Resources and Tips for Businesses,” that outlines the necessary steps for achieving compliance in businesses with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California Building Code (CBC). The presentation went over maintaining accessible features, educating employees, and keeping detailed records of compliance efforts.

There was a panel discussion on, “How Do We Remove Barriers and Achieve Accessibility for All?” featuring Steve Rosansky, President of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce; Nelly Gomez, Lead Youth and Information Coordinator for the Dayle McIntosh Center; Rick Martin a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) from Marx Okubo Associates, Inc.; and Commissioner Clair. Phil McPhaul, CCDA Operations Manager, moderated the panel Q&A session.

The panel began with questions about reasonable accommodations and discussed the requirement for accessible parking for businesses without designated spaces. The questions that followed discussed the liability of business owners who rent second-floor spaces lacking elevator access and the extent to which commercial landlords must support tenants in ADA compliance. The final questions discussed the ADA and CBC Chapter 11B standards for restaurant tables and provided strategies for businesses to enhance accessibility and increase disability awareness.

Check out the Orange County Listening Forum on the @AccessCCDA YouTube Channel - OC Listening Forum: Disability Compliance at Places of Business to Improve Access for All June 2024