Sure.  I would be happy to discuss it with them.  I just do not see the reasonable accommodation on our site, but I hope I am wrong.  Reasonable costs for an entity our size is likely between say 2% to 5 % of the cost of the development of the site.  So, if we spent only $100K,  $2 to 5K is likely reasonable. I'm told we spent much more on development of the site.  But the guidelines for ADA have some tests for website compliance. They are summarized in the article I included.  If we are not meeting those, I would argue we are likely not compliant. Also, proof of unreasonable costs, at least for physical plant accommodations such as handicap ramps for retroactive compliance require expert opinions as to minimum costs so as to defend against non-compliance based on unreasonable costs, so that question is relevant. What was our proposed cost estimate?

Let me know what works for you and I will schedule that time. There is much material available teaching website compliance.  If the local firm confirms compliance, please let us know that too.  I assume they provided a written opinion that we are in compliance now?

Bob Famiglio, K3RF

Vice Director - ARRL Atlantic Division

610-359-7300

www.QRZ.com/db/K3RF

From: Michel, Howard, WB2ITX (CEO)
Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2019 9:16 PM
To: Famiglio, Bob, K3RF (VD, AD) <RBFamiglio@verizon.net>
Cc: Jairam, Ria, N2RJ, (Dir, HD) <rjairam@gmail.com>; arrl-odv <arrl-odv@arrl.org>
Subject: Re: [arrl-odv:28492] Re: Concerns about ADA accessibility

Hi Bob,

Thanks for your email. I never said they claimed we were providing everything possible, just that, in their opinion, we had provided reasonable accommodations. Having said that, reasonable implies reasonable cost. I am not aware of the software tool you speak about. Can you provide more specifics? I’d like too look at it. $1000 is nothing in the scheme of things.

I’ve also sent your information to Murtha Cullina. Depending on what they say, perhaps we could schedule a call next week.

In any case, we will insure our new web site including the lifelong learning site are ADA compliant. 

73, Howard 

Howard E. Michel, WB2ITX
Chief Executive Officer
ARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio® 
225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494 USA
Telephone: +1 860-594-0404
email: hmichel@arrl.org

On Aug 1, 2019, at 2:40 PM, Bob Famiglio, K3RF <RBFamiglio@verizon.net> wrote:

Howard:

If our lawyers claim we are compliant, I would be surprised. I'd love to
talk with them in case I misunderstand something.  I have not found front
page/home page ADA functionality on our site, but perhaps I have just missed
it or misunderstand what they are doing.  And it is not a saving if we mean
well or have a compliant legal opinion - we either are or are not. Not
knowing or honest intent is of no moment.

I had dealt with this issue professionally last year as general counsel for
a reputable, well-run national franchise.  I spent a day studying the issues
as I too thought it was nonsense. Ria raised the issue months ago, so I
thought it was under way. It was indeed shocking to find my client as a
defendant in federal court. In their case they had actually been in
compliance for 45 days before the suit was served from a federal district
court, but we still had to prepare to defend under those facts and that cost
more than settlement did.

Attached is the complaint - it is public record, is sent with my client's
blessings, and has been the subject of other publicity as well- available on
the public access page of the court files.  I settled it for considerable
money for nuisance value.  That was 5 figures -very unfair, highway robbery,
but a good lesson.  This is still happening, and law firms are making big
bucks handling it as class actions.  It is only a matter of time.  We may
not have insurance coverage for ADA compliance, many policies exclude it.

 GOOD NEWS, it cost very little to get into compliance.  See the snippet I
attached as a sample of how the fix appears on a home page. There are
off-the-shelf IT tools now available. Ria will know and raised this issue as
well.  My client spent less than $1000 to fix it, miscellaneous in the
scheme of things.

If you like, call me now or if you like have our lawyers call me today.  I
would be most pleased to assist - it is my obligation to help and not stick
my head in the sand.  It may be taking more time to talk about it than to
fix it.  And, we can brag that we are inclusive regarding our impaired
members.  Did I just miss the function on our site?  Where is it? We can fix
this in a few hours of time.

Bob Famiglio, K3RF
Vice Director - ARRL Atlantic Division
610-359-7300


www.QRZ.com/db/K3RF






-----Original Message-----
From: arrl-odv On Behalf Of Michel, Howard, WB2ITX (CEO)
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2019 10:22 PM
To: Jairam, Ria, N2RJ, (Dir, HD) <rjairam@gmail.com>; arrl-odv
<arrl-odv@arrl.org>
Subject: [arrl-odv:28492] Re: Concerns about ADA accessibility

Hi Ria,

Yes, we have had Murtha Cullina look at our compliance under the ADA act,
first when you passed along a similar threat about providing QST for blind
hams, and at my request to look at our web site and other possible areas of
problems.  Their reading is that  we are expected to provide as "reasonable
accommodation" and we are doing that.

If you think that this threat of legal action is real, or if you have
specific information that I should pass to Murtha Cullina, call me in the
office tomorrow. Otherwise I assume that we don't need to involve our
lawyers or insurance broker at this time.

73, Howard

On 7/31/2019 8:05 PM, mailto:rjairam@gmail.com wrote:

A ham who wishes to remain anonymous for now has alerted me to the

possibility that we may not be in full compliance with the Americans

with Disabilities Act and that there has been even talk of legal

action. I can't say if that is serious or not but you have to take

every threat seriously.

Do we have any assessment of our current websites and other media with

regard to accessibility?

Have we contacted counsel about the possibility that this may happen?

I would hope that we are on top of this.

Ria

N2RJ

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--
Howard E. Michel, WB2ITX
Chief Executive Officer
ARRL, The National Association for Amateur RadioR
225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111-1494 USA
Telephone: +1 860-594-0404
email: mailto:hmichel@arrl.org

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<Fed Complaint NY ADA noncompliance redacted info.pdf>

<Class Action Plaintiff Targets Universities and Colleges for Website Accessibility Claims_ Fordham and Three Others Sued in One Week . Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.pdf>

<Sample of ADA compliant functions.JPG>