Complying With the ADA: An Examination of Department and Specialty Stores

Increased litigation is expected as the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act passes its tenth anniversary. The Act clearly forbids discrimination against the disabled but is ambiguous in how a firm ensures this purpose. A review of the Justice Department’s work over the past ten years reveals that compliance is enforced through lawsuits as well as mediation and no retail business is exempt from compliance. A study of department stores and men’s and women’s specialty stores determined that these firms were attempting to comply with the law. Findings indicate that the stores were more likely to implement inexpensive strategies performed by sales associates than more costly strategies specifically for disabled customers. Larger stores, as measured by square feet, sales, and number of outlets, floors, and employees were more likely than smaller stores to provide auxiliary aids and barrier removal.