Letter: Commonsense ADA reform supports access and small businesses
To the editor,
– Running a small business is hard enough without the threat of being dragged into court over a technicality. Yet, that’s exactly what’s happening under a growing wave of ADA-related lawsuits that target businesses for trivial infractions. These lawsuits don’t further accessibility—they drain time, money, and jobs from local economies and businesses.
While the original intent of the ADA was to promote inclusion and ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities, some predatory trial lawyers have turned it into a money mill. These attorneys file lawsuits over minor or technical violations without ever attempting to engage with the business or seek a real solution for the individuals affected.
These so-called “drive-by” lawsuits do nothing to further access or equity. Instead, they punish mom-and-pop shops that often don’t even realize they’re out of compliance until it’s too late. One misplaced sign or inch of non-compliant space can lead to a devastating settlement demand—costing thousands in legal fees before any fix can even be made.
Fortunately, the California legislature has a practical solution on the table. SB84 would provide a 120-day window for business owners to address accessibility concerns before being dragged into costly litigation. This grace period doesn’t undermine the ADA’s mission, it strengthens it by encouraging actual compliance instead of enabling legal ambushes.
Small business owners want to do the right thing. What they need is time, not a courtroom summons and thousands of dollars in legal fees. SB84 is a commonsense reform that balances the need for accessibility with basic fairness, and it deserves the support of anyone who values both inclusion and economic survival.
Let’s stop rewarding opportunistic lawsuits and start promoting real access by passing SB84.
Steve Gregory,
Paso Robles
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