Appomattox town manager urges ADA compliance for Town Hall building

In seeking to reduce the Town of Appomattox’s legal liability, Town Manager Terry McGhee urged Town Council to take action on upgrades needed to bring the Town Hall building on Linden Street into compliance with the federal Americans with Disability Act (ADA) specifications.

“The Town Hall is at a very high level of risk regarding building, fire and safety liability. This is liability with respect to the Americans with Disability Act,” McGhee said at the March 11 meeting.

McGhee explained that ADA liability cases don’t have to demonstrate an existing need, such as a handicapped employee or a disabled person on the premises. ADA specifications also apply to the town website. Fines for ADA violations are predetermined and start $75,000 for the first offense and $125,000 for successive offenses.

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