ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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That's an interesting case!  Frightening, even.
Spy Museum is for-profit, and the case was settled out of court.
Are there analogies amongst non-profits?

A non-profit near and dear to my heart is closing this year, in fact,  
ascribing significant lost federal funding to ADA noncompliance.
But I was taught to love and not to fear ADA guidelines.  To let them  
be the designer's friend.
Alas!  Love is no protection from deligent lawyers and government  
grant allocators!

: Jason


On Jan 3, 2011, at 9:36 PM, Chuck Howarth wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology  
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related  
> institutions.
> ********************************************************************** 
> *******
>
> Good points, Jason, except that ADA compliance is not limited to  
> architecture and is NOT voluntary.  The Spy Museum in Washington  
> got sued over ADA compliance issues with their programs and  
> exhibits, and ended up settling with the Justice Department.  The  
> lawsuit claimed that, "The Museum’s exhibits and programs were  
> inaccessible to visitors who are blind or who have low vision. For  
> example, the Museum did not have guides or docents trained in  
> providing accessible tours or computers equipped with speech  
> outputs. The Museum did not provide printed materials, such as  
> exhibit brochures or program handouts in alternate formats, such as  
> Braille, large print or audio recording."   The settlement  
> agreement also included this:  "Under title III, the Museum must  
> ensure that no individual with a disability is discriminated  
> against on the basis of a disability in the full and equal  
> enjoyment of the Museum’s goods, services and facilities."
>
>>
>> Lisa--
>>
>> My understanding is that, outside architecture, ADA obligations  
>> are met by museums on a voluntary basis.  Unless they're applying  
>> for government grants.
>>
>
> Chuck Howarth, Vice President
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