Changes to Disability Act May Cost Billions

PlusChanges to Disability Act May Cost BillionsChanges to Disability Act May Cost BillionsThe Associated PressProposed changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act may lead to more lawsuits as business owners struggle to comply. The Justice Department says costs affected businesses and government agencies could total $23 billion over 40 years. (July 25)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] ((New York)) NATS: woo hoo! Unlike the other kids in his class, Elijah Bauser can't play miniature golf. He's in a wheelchair because of Cerebral palsy. "I can't do in this wheelchair what other people can." Soon, however, Elijah may be able to putt the greens with the other kids. The federal government is pushing for a big expansion of the "Americans with Disabilities Act." NATS: golfing The new regulations would apply to existing businesses only when they make construction upgrades, but would apply to all new businesses. For miniature golf courses, they'd be required to maintain at least half the course as wheelchair accessible. ((Duncombe Brooke, Miniature Golf Course Owner))((New York)) SOT - course operator, "this means widening this, etc." Course operators like Duncombe Brooke, at Randalls Island Golf Center in New York, will have to pay for the modifications themselves, in his case, 50-thousand dollars. "It's a big chunk of money, but I'm happy to do it." ((Washington DC)) The U-S Chamber of commerce says many business owners are happy to help the disabled --- while expanding the pool of potential customers. But chamber spokesman Randal Johnson says the new regulations lead to more lawsuits. ((Randal Johnson, U.S. Chamber of Commerce)) "Businesses are faced with a panoply of regulations across the board, there's probably a hundred thousand regulations on the books already. This is just one more a small business man or woman has to learn how to comply with." The proposed Disabilities Act expansion is wide-ranging, with new rules for just about all types of public business or government space: providing handicap access to everything from drinking fountains to courtroom witness stands. NATS: waterfall For miniature golf course owners, this means re-working some of the "fun" obstacles built into many mini-golf courses. But the mini-golfers who play mini-golf, don't seem to mind. KIDS: "It will still be fun, if you like golf, you like golf." And parents seem to agree. "I think it's a family activity, so why exclude people?" The overhaul could be enacted by the end of the year. Ted Shaffrey, The Associated Press, New York ___ ___, The Associated Press.(****END****) ANCHOR VOICE: TShaffrey-------------------------VIDEO PRODUCER: NHawkins------------------------------VIDEO SOURCE: AP--------------------------VIDEO APPROVAL: EFreeland------------------------------VIDEO RESTRICTIONS: N/A----------------------------------SCRIPT/WIRE SOURCE: AP------------------------------------

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