January 20, 2006

DOJ Won't Investigate Roanoke Inaccessibility

From the Jan. 12 Roanoke Times:

The U.S. Department of Justice has declined to investigate almost all of eight complaints filed last fall against the owners of downtown Roanoke businesses and buildings because of their inaccessibility to the disabled.

But since the eight complaints were sent to the Justice Department in October, most of the businesses named in the complaints have installed a buzzer and a sign out front for disabled people to let employees inside know they need service.

Read story: City Market businesses try to improve accessibility.

Roanoke wheelchair user Robert Eggers, says the story, had filed the DOJ complaints against a number of downtown businesses whose front entrances have what the newspaper called "ledges" -- some 5 inches high -- barring access.

His attorney David Beidler called the installation of the bells a "positive response." County attorney Michael Ferguson said the customers can be served on the sidewalk.

Posted on January 20, 2006