New Challenges
Americans Disability Act
Lawsuits over Web Site Compliance
Thursday January 26
3:30-4:30pm
The White Bear Area Chamber supports the principals of the American Disability Act. By making businesses accessible to people with disabilities we all benefit. However; certain individuals in the legal profession have taken advantage of little known loopholes in the law that has resulted in a new plethora of law suits. These new law suits are based on businesses that have web sites that are not ADA compliant. Both the Wall Street Journal and 60 Minutes have featured stories on this very issue. This resurgence of ADA lawsuits could easily become a problem for businesses throughout the White Bear Area.
At this special Government Affairs meeting you will hear about the Minnesota Chamber’s effort to enact ADA Law Suit reform. Furthermore; you will learn how to protect your web site against frivolous ADA Law Suits.
Our guest speaker is Mike Hanson who is a visually impaired attorney. He will address how the blind and visually impaired can experience challenges with various websites. He will offer his insights and suggestions about making cost effective, good faith efforts to ameliorate common problems experienced by the blind and visually impaired (BVI) as well as the legal aspects of same vis a vis the ADA. Mike Graduated from the University of St. Thomas law school and practices law in the twin cities area. He authored The Unseen Trail: The Story of a Blind Hiker's Journey on the Appalachian Trail.
Minneapolis-based attorney Mike Hanson set out along the Appalachian Trail in the spring of 2010. Using only a GPS device and trekking poles, the visually impaired Hanson plotted and completed the majority of the Appalachian Trail without outside assistance, making an important point about the power of technology and the independence of those without sight.
