Your small biz doesn't accomodate my handicap, shut-u-down!
from 
JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
With a nod to another blogger, as I found the original link to this one while doing a bit of blog-clicking...
The news in the last few days is just oh, so inspiring....
Small business owners in an area of San Diego known as Julian have been receiving letters from a handicapped (wheelchair bound) attorney from the San Diego area by the name of Theodore Pinnock. In all, 67 shop owners have received letters threatening a lawsuit if those shop owners don't make their businesses handicap accessible, most likely with an unspoken requirement that such access be to the liking of Mr. Pinnock.
This is yet more of the result of the flawed Americans with Disability Act that was passed back during the elder George H.W. Bush's term as President of the United States. It was a well meaning law, but it has come to be abused in many unforseen ways as scum like Mr. Pinnock have waged personal wars against the rest of the world, or at least another small part of it in their immediate area of the United States.
I would say I feel for people like Mr. Pinnock, but Mr. Pinnock's actions make it awfully difficult to be compassionate, and typically lead to a feeling that is much closer to a deep seated loathing.
There has to be a balance between providing access for all and driving small businesses out of business. What people like Mr. Pinnock fail to realize is that many shops that exist today were built long ago. Back in a time when we didn't have so many shapes and sizes to accomodate. Am I entitled to sue because I can't control my weight, and I need a larger personal space than others might? If I have bladder control issues, am I entitled to sue because there's not a bathroom every 10 feet along my path waiting for me to use it? Where does the line get drawn, and who gets to decide when someone like Pinnock is being a nuisance and abusing a well-intentioned law instead of simply trying to help make life better for all?
Original news article snippet follows. Please see original for complete story.
Julian Businesses In Turmoil
Shopowners In Julian Worried About Lawsuits
SAN DIEGO -- It's a battle that's pitted a lawyer against a town's merchants. The dispute is over disability access in Julian.
At the Bell, Book and Candle Shop in Julian, business is brisk and owner Debbie Hickey couldn't be sadder.
"It's a bittersweet end," said Hickey.
The shop will close its doors next week. Ever since the October wildfires decimated local tourism, the shop's sales have been cut in half -- then the letters came.
She isn't alone. In all, 67 businesses got a letter from San Diego attorney Theodore Pinnock.
Pinnock, who uses a wheelchair, is threatening lawsuits over disability access -- a legal battle Hickey said she just couldn't afford.
"I don't have any fight in me. I've fought to stay in business for the last two years," said Hickey.
Her shop is the first casualty in a brewing war that's consumed a tranquil town full of historic buildings.
In the past months, some shop owners have started getting things up to code.
Throughout Julian, disabled access signs are now the most popular in town. They are displayed prominently in storefronts. Most of the businesses named in the letters have banned together for a fight, 10News reported.
They must make the case they're compliant, versus a lawyer known for lawsuits against individual businesses.
Now, he's taking on an entire town, and shop owners worry about where he's going next.
... more at linked article
Please see original for complete story.
The news in the last few days is just oh, so inspiring....
Small business owners in an area of San Diego known as Julian have been receiving letters from a handicapped (wheelchair bound) attorney from the San Diego area by the name of Theodore Pinnock. In all, 67 shop owners have received letters threatening a lawsuit if those shop owners don't make their businesses handicap accessible, most likely with an unspoken requirement that such access be to the liking of Mr. Pinnock.
This is yet more of the result of the flawed Americans with Disability Act that was passed back during the elder George H.W. Bush's term as President of the United States. It was a well meaning law, but it has come to be abused in many unforseen ways as scum like Mr. Pinnock have waged personal wars against the rest of the world, or at least another small part of it in their immediate area of the United States.
I would say I feel for people like Mr. Pinnock, but Mr. Pinnock's actions make it awfully difficult to be compassionate, and typically lead to a feeling that is much closer to a deep seated loathing.
There has to be a balance between providing access for all and driving small businesses out of business. What people like Mr. Pinnock fail to realize is that many shops that exist today were built long ago. Back in a time when we didn't have so many shapes and sizes to accomodate. Am I entitled to sue because I can't control my weight, and I need a larger personal space than others might? If I have bladder control issues, am I entitled to sue because there's not a bathroom every 10 feet along my path waiting for me to use it? Where does the line get drawn, and who gets to decide when someone like Pinnock is being a nuisance and abusing a well-intentioned law instead of simply trying to help make life better for all?
Original news article snippet follows. Please see original for complete story.
Julian Businesses In Turmoil
Shopowners In Julian Worried About Lawsuits
SAN DIEGO -- It's a battle that's pitted a lawyer against a town's merchants. The dispute is over disability access in Julian.
At the Bell, Book and Candle Shop in Julian, business is brisk and owner Debbie Hickey couldn't be sadder.
"It's a bittersweet end," said Hickey.
The shop will close its doors next week. Ever since the October wildfires decimated local tourism, the shop's sales have been cut in half -- then the letters came.
She isn't alone. In all, 67 businesses got a letter from San Diego attorney Theodore Pinnock.
Pinnock, who uses a wheelchair, is threatening lawsuits over disability access -- a legal battle Hickey said she just couldn't afford.
"I don't have any fight in me. I've fought to stay in business for the last two years," said Hickey.
Her shop is the first casualty in a brewing war that's consumed a tranquil town full of historic buildings.
In the past months, some shop owners have started getting things up to code.
Throughout Julian, disabled access signs are now the most popular in town. They are displayed prominently in storefronts. Most of the businesses named in the letters have banned together for a fight, 10News reported.
They must make the case they're compliant, versus a lawyer known for lawsuits against individual businesses.
Now, he's taking on an entire town, and shop owners worry about where he's going next.
... more at linked article
Please see original for complete story.
