Lawyers Are Using DOJ Accessibility Rules To Go After Hotels- Is This Right?

Here is what all website local business owners are subject to. At the same time, any business can be sued. The question is, who is being more harmed? The local business owner paying huge penalties and fees to Lawyers or a disabled person who can not interact with a digital site?

Is Policy The Price For Being A Victim: A Business Owner's Burden Or A Disability's Right?

In the realm of ethical business practices and societal obligations, the principle of accessibility stands as a testament to our collective commitment to inclusivity. The essence of accessibility is rooted in the noble idea that every individual, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities, should have equal access to the digital world. This ethos is undeniably just and laudable, promoting a more equitable society.

However, the application of punitive measures against local business owners who fail to meet accessibility standards introduces a complex moral dilemma. On the surface, these financial penalties aim to enforce compliance and ensure that all websites are accessible to everyone. Yet, when examined through a more philosophical lens, we encounter a paradox of justice and fairness.

Consider the local business owner, striving to sustain their livelihood and contribute to the community. The intent to exclude or discriminate is often absent, replaced instead by a lack of awareness or resources to implement the necessary changes. The sudden imposition of a financial burden through litigation can seem disproportionately harsh, particularly when the aggrieved party may not even seek to engage with the business.

This scenario raises questions about the nature of justice. Is it fair to penalize someone severely for an oversight that stems from ignorance rather than malice? Moreover, does the act of financially punishing small businesses truly advance the cause of accessibility, or does it instead create an atmosphere of fear and resentment?

True justice, some might argue, should be educative and restorative rather than punitive. The goal should be to foster understanding and provide the means for business owners to make their websites accessible. Offering resources, guidance, and support could lead to a more genuine embrace of accessibility standards, rather than compliance driven by the fear of litigation.

The philosophical crux of the matter lies in balancing the rights of individuals with disabilities to access digital spaces with the rights of business owners to fair treatment and support in their efforts to comply. Justice should not only protect the vulnerable but also uplift and educate those who are expected to meet these standards. In this way, the journey towards accessibility can become a collaborative effort, marked by mutual respect and understanding, rather than a battleground of legal threats and financial penalties.

Thus, while the principle of accessibility is vital and non-negotiable, the methods we employ to achieve it must be scrutinized and refined to ensure they are just, equitable, and conducive to the spirit of inclusivity we aim to foster.

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This is a Clip from the article: Jul 20, 2024
 
A dozen Outer Cape hotels have been forced into revamping their websites to ensure that they're ADA compliant.

The P-town Independent reports the changes came after attorney Lee Sarkin filed several lawsuits against non-compliant hotels over the past couple of years, resulting in undisclosed settlements.

The suits were filed after Sarkin found the hotels' websites didn't detail accessibility features of each room, nor did they hold them open until all of their other rooms were booked.

Those requirements have been law for more than a decade.

(Photo by AMEL SEMMACHE/AFP via Getty Images)

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