May 5, 2012 (ChillicotheGazette.com) – WASHINGTON — A federal rule that requires installation of permanent mechanical pool chairs for the disabled at public swimming pools and spas will cost too much and expose small business owners to lawsuits, the hotel industry says. Disability advocates argue that the alternative — portable pool lifts — can limit access and enjoyment of pools by disabled people.
News Release Category: Industry News
New Technical Assistance Document for ADA – Pool lifts
5/27/2012 – The Justice Department today released a new technical assistance document, “Questions & Answers: Accessibility Requirements for Existing Pools at Hotels and Other Public Accommodations” regarding the application of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to swimming pools. The Department also released an updated version of its “ADA 2010 Revised Requirements: Accessible Pools—Accessible Means of Entry and Exit.” The documents are also available in PDF format at ADA.gov.
Both documents were issued as part of the Department’s ongoing technical assistance efforts to assist businesses in understanding their obligations under the ADA. These documents address common questions about accessibility requirements for existing pools. The documents also explain that, for existing pools, the Department will not enforce the fixed elements provisions in the 2010 Standards against those owners of existing pools who purchased otherwise-compliant portable lifts prior to March 15, 2012, as long as those owners keep the lifts in position for use at the pool and operational during all times that the pool is open to guests.
Relatedly, the Department recently extended the compliance date for existing pools to Jan. 31, 2013.
Those interested in finding out more about these documents or the obligations of public accommodations under the ADA may call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD), or access the ADA Website at www.ada.gov.
Sugary Drink Ban Moves Forward
June 12, 2012, (Written By Michael Howard Saul – Metropolis). Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposal to ban the sale of large-sized sugary drinks inched closer to reality Tuesday, with the city Board of Health unanimously voting to publish the plan for public review. The board, an 11-member panel appointed by Bloomberg, gave the green light to publish the mayor’s proposal and hold a public hearing July 24. A final vote on the proposal is slated for Sept. 13
National Restaurant Association: Swipe Fee Reforms Have Been Critical for Small Businesses, Consumers
June 8, 2012, (Written by Sue Hensley – National Restaurant Association). (Washington, D.C.) A year after a bipartisan majority of Senators stood up to protect debit swipe fee reforms, the National Restaurant Association today noted those reforms have provided important benefits to restaurateurs and their customers. America’s restaurant industry is the nation’s second-largest private sector employer, and more than 90 percent of restaurants are small businesses.
Romney, in Florida, calls Obama out-of-touch; Obama ads respond in kind
June 12, 2012, (Written By George Bennett – The Palm Beach Post). Orlando — In case you missed President Obama’s remark Friday that “the private sector is doing fine,” Mitt Romney’s campaign is doing everything it can to make sure you don’t forget it. Much as Obama’s campaign lashed John McCain four years ago for declaring in bleak times that “the fundamentals of our economy are strong,” Romney and his surrogates at a campaign stop here Tuesday repeatedly used Obama’s remark to brand the president as “out of touch” with the struggles of ordinary people.
Dueling speeches: Obama, Romney go at it in Ohio
June 14,2012, (Written by Julie Pace and Steve Peoples – MyWay). CLEVELAND (AP) – President Barack Obama cast his re-election race against Republican Mitt Romney as the economic choice of a lifetime on Thursday, seeking to stir undecided voters and asking the nation to buy into his vision for four more years or face a return to the recession-era “mistakes of the past.”
Is the GOP Senate primary over? Connie Mack says so
June 18, 2012, (Written by Katie Sanders – Tampa Bay Times). U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV’s strategy to win the Republican primary for U.S. Senate is simple: ignore it. “We have a 33-point lead,” Mack said last week, explaining his decision to skip three televised GOP primary debates.
High court decision on health-care bill will set off a Florida scramble
June 17, 2012, (Writeen by Ledyard King – Florida Today). WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court’s upcoming decision on the 2010 health care reform law will set off a scramble in Florida — no matter what the court decides. A ruling upholding the entire law is expected to kick-start efforts to set up health exchanges for consumers, identify as many as 2 million uninsured Floridians who will be newly eligible for Medicaid, and dish out millions in insurance rebates to individuals and businesses.
Obama sets campaign stop for Friday in Tampa
June 18, 2012, (Written by Times Staff – Tampa Bay Times). TAMPA — President Barack Obama is scheduled to make a campaign stop Friday at Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry campus. His speech is free and open to the public, but tickets are required.
Poll: Big support for immigration plan
June 19, 2012, (Written by William Bergstrom – Politico). President Barack Obama’s order to halt the deportation of certain young illegal immigrants enjoys big public support, a new poll Tuesday found. The survey by Bloomberg found that 64 percent of likely voters approved of Obama’s new policy, while 30 percent disagreed