Hi Charlie,

The ADA is administered through the Federal Government and really has no direct local enforcement is NYS. I remember clearly those early meetings where it was originally determined that equal access was a civil rights issue and should be enforced through the department of jusitice. Of course everything was changed and tweeked over time.

In reality nobody drives around looking for violations of the ADA unless they show up glaringly or are found as part of a build codes inspection. The public has to make a complaint to the feds before action will take place.

Like Tom Selleck said on the tube the other night in a TV show. I'm not in the right or wrong business, I'm in the legal and illegal business.

The solution to this situation is obvious. Keep them private don't advertise anywhere but in club newsletters or by word of mouth. And make accommodations for you friend with a disability if it is possible to reasonably do so. It isn't perfect by a long shot.

My desire in this not to keep the disabled away but rather to guarrantee the continuation of house concerts. Like I said early on, no one wins in this kind of debate.


Don