Memo: Letter regarding ADA revisions

Item

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c021_002_003_013_tr

Transcription (Scripto)

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Extent (Dublin Core)

2 Pages

File Name (Dublin Core)

c021_002_003_013

Title (Dublin Core)

Memo: Letter regarding ADA revisions

Description (Dublin Core)

This memorandum includes correspondence between Joseph R. Fields, Jr. and Senator Dole about legislation to provide guidance to individuals and businesses on compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines

Date (Dublin Core)

2000-06-07

Date Created (Dublin Core)

2000-06-07

Congress (Dublin Core)

106th (1999-2001)

Topics (Dublin Core)

See all items with this valuePeople with disabilities

See all items with this valuePublic prosecutors

Policy Area (Curation)

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Creator (Dublin Core)

Dole, Robert J., 1923-2021

Record Type (Dublin Core)

memorandum

Names (Dublin Core)

See all items with this valueFoley, Mark, 1954-

See all items with this valueUnited States. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

See all items with this valueVachon, Alexander

Location representation (Dublin Core)

Florida (inhabited place)

Rights (Dublin Core)

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/

Language (Dublin Core)

eng

Collection Finding Aid (Dublin Core)

https://dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/?p=collections/findingaid&id=54&q=

Physical Location (Dublin Core)

Collection 021, Box 2, Folder 3

Institution (Dublin Core)

Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Archival Collection (Dublin Core)

Alec Vachon Papers, 1969-2006

Full Text (Extract Text)

JUN-07-00 09:32 From: 2023716310 T-352 P.01/02 Job-317
OFFICE OF SENATOR BOB DOLE
FACSIMILE COVER SHEET

DATE: 6-7-00
TO: Alec Vachon
FAX NUMBER:228-0554
FROM: Bob Dole
COMMENTS:
NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER SHEET: 2

The information contained in this facsimile message is privileged and confidential intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copy of this fax is strictly prohibited. If you have received this fax in error, please immediately notify us by telephone and return the original message to us at the address below via US Postal Service.

Phone (202)371-6007 Fax (202)371-6262
Senator Bob Dole
901 15th Street, NW, Suite 410
Washington, DC 20005-2301


JUN-07-00 09:32 From: 2023716310 T-352 P.02/02 Job-317
JOSEPH R. FIELDS, JR., P.A.
LAWYER

JOSEPH R. FIELDS, JR.
TELEPHONE (501) 832-5655
FACSIMILE (561) 835-8662

SUITE 1450 NORTHBRIDGE CENTRE 515 NORTH FLAGLER DRIVE WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA 33401

June 2, 2000
Senator Bob Dole
Suite 410
901 15th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C., 20005

RE: Legislation to provide guidance to individuals on compliance with ADA

Dear Senator Dole:

I recently testified before the Subcommittee hearing in regards to Representative Foley's ADA Notification Act. During discussions with Representative Foley, he shared with me you suggestion of drafting legislation to provide guidance on compliance with the ADA.

Having represented persons with disabilities in the past but having testified in favor of the notification act because of the abuse by attorneys in the South Florida area, I would think that businesses including local governments would be very supportive of your proposal. When clients
come to me having just been sued for ADA violations, they are often times shocked to learn that the fact that they were inspected by a local agency for purposes of getting an occupational permit does not mean that their business was ADA compliant. Considering that Federal, State and Local governments have a hard time interpreting the ADA, its no wonder that a few attorneys have used the ADA to make a fortune in attorneys fees. The past hearings demonstrate that there is a problem that is growing as time passes. It would not surprise me that in the calendar year 2000, South Florida experiences a two-fold growth in the number of lawsuits filed.

I would welcome the opportunity to assist in reviewing any proposed legislation on your idea and provide input regarding any changes that might be helpful. From my perspective as an attorney who is in the trenches litigating these issues, it might be helpful to you and your assistants to receive input from someone who has to deal with ADA litigation on a daily basis.

Please let me know if I can be of help to you.

Very truly yours,
(signature)

Joseph R. Fields, Jr.

JRF/lb
cc: Congressman Mark Foley

JUN-07-00 09:32 From: 2023716310 T-352 P.01/02 Job-317
OFFICE OF SENATOR BOB DOLE
FACSIMILE COVER SHEET

DATE: 6-7-00
TO: Alec Vachon
FAX NUMBER:228-0554
FROM: Bob Dole
COMMENTS:
NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER SHEET: 2

The information contained in this facsimile message is privileged and confidential intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copy of this fax is strictly prohibited. If you have received this fax in error, please immediately notify us by telephone and return the original message to us at the address below via US Postal Service.

Phone (202)371-6007 Fax (202)371-6262
Senator Bob Dole
901 15th Street, NW, Suite 410
Washington, DC 20005-2301


JUN-07-00 09:32 From: 2023716310 T-352 P.02/02 Job-317
JOSEPH R. FIELDS, JR., P.A.
LAWYER

JOSEPH R. FIELDS, JR.
TELEPHONE (501) 832-5655
FACSIMILE (561) 835-8662

SUITE 1450 NORTHBRIDGE CENTRE 515 NORTH FLAGLER DRIVE WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA 33401

June 2, 2000
Senator Bob Dole
Suite 410
901 15th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C., 20005

RE: Legislation to provide guidance to individuals on compliance with ADA

Dear Senator Dole:

I recently testified before the Subcommittee hearing in regards to Representative Foley's ADA Notification Act. During discussions with Representative Foley, he shared with me you suggestion of drafting legislation to provide guidance on compliance with the ADA.

Having represented persons with disabilities in the past but having testified in favor of the notification act because of the abuse by attorneys in the South Florida area, I would think that businesses including local governments would be very supportive of your proposal. When clients
come to me having just been sued for ADA violations, they are often times shocked to learn that the fact that they were inspected by a local agency for purposes of getting an occupational permit does not mean that their business was ADA compliant. Considering that Federal, State and Local governments have a hard time interpreting the ADA, its no wonder that a few attorneys have used the ADA to make a fortune in attorneys fees. The past hearings demonstrate that there is a problem that is growing as time passes. It would not surprise me that in the calendar year 2000, South Florida experiences a two-fold growth in the number of lawsuits filed.

I would welcome the opportunity to assist in reviewing any proposed legislation on your idea and provide input regarding any changes that might be helpful. From my perspective as an attorney who is in the trenches litigating these issues, it might be helpful to you and your assistants to receive input from someone who has to deal with ADA litigation on a daily basis.

Please let me know if I can be of help to you.

Very truly yours,
(signature)

Joseph R. Fields, Jr.

JRF/lb
cc: Congressman Mark Foley

JUN-07-00 09:32 From: 2023716310 T-352 P.01/02 Job-317
OFFICE OF SENATOR BOB DOLE
FACSIMILE COVER SHEET

DATE: 6-7-00
TO: Alec Vachon
FAX NUMBER:228-0554
FROM: Bob Dole
COMMENTS:
NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING COVER SHEET: 2

The information contained in this facsimile message is privileged and confidential intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copy of this fax is strictly prohibited. If you have received this fax in error, please immediately notify us by telephone and return the original message to us at the address below via US Postal Service.

Phone (202)371-6007 Fax (202)371-6262
Senator Bob Dole
901 15th Street, NW, Suite 410
Washington, DC 20005-2301


JUN-07-00 09:32 From: 2023716310 T-352 P.02/02 Job-317
JOSEPH R. FIELDS, JR., P.A.
LAWYER

JOSEPH R. FIELDS, JR.
TELEPHONE (501) 832-5655
FACSIMILE (561) 835-8662

SUITE 1450 NORTHBRIDGE CENTRE 515 NORTH FLAGLER DRIVE WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA 33401

June 2, 2000
Senator Bob Dole
Suite 410
901 15th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C., 20005

RE: Legislation to provide guidance to individuals on compliance with ADA

Dear Senator Dole:

I recently testified before the Subcommittee hearing in regards to Representative Foley's ADA Notification Act. During discussions with Representative Foley, he shared with me you suggestion of drafting legislation to provide guidance on compliance with the ADA.

Having represented persons with disabilities in the past but having testified in favor of the notification act because of the abuse by attorneys in the South Florida area, I would think that businesses including local governments would be very supportive of your proposal. When clients
come to me having just been sued for ADA violations, they are often times shocked to learn that the fact that they were inspected by a local agency for purposes of getting an occupational permit does not mean that their business was ADA compliant. Considering that Federal, State and Local governments have a hard time interpreting the ADA, its no wonder that a few attorneys have used the ADA to make a fortune in attorneys fees. The past hearings demonstrate that there is a problem that is growing as time passes. It would not surprise me that in the calendar year 2000, South Florida experiences a two-fold growth in the number of lawsuits filed.

I would welcome the opportunity to assist in reviewing any proposed legislation on your idea and provide input regarding any changes that might be helpful. From my perspective as an attorney who is in the trenches litigating these issues, it might be helpful to you and your assistants to receive input from someone who has to deal with ADA litigation on a daily basis.

Please let me know if I can be of help to you.

Very truly yours,
(signature)

Joseph R. Fields, Jr.

JRF/lb
cc: Congressman Mark Foley