Dear Editor,

In the past week, or so, there have been a few articles and letters in our local newspapers regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act and closure of businesses.

We all need to admit, that the ADA is the law and probably the only law that does not discriminate because of religion, race, age or any other form of discrimination.

Because it has never been pointed out in other articles or letters, we need to look at the value of the ADA. As a community, we should work together to provide reasonable accommodation to employment and achievable accommodation to universal access to public businesses. This puts money in our pockets and is the right thing to do.

There are a couple tax incentives for businesses to provide achievable accommodations. You should still examine the ADA guidelines and speak with your attorney or accountant to make sure you’ll get the credit or deduction.

If a business does not provide access or it is in question, have a plan developed to address it and demonstrate good faith towards achieving this. There are disabled groups and a few individuals in the area familiar with access that could visit businesses and provide suggestions .

Providing access for the disabled is not only for those presently disabled, it is for future populations. It provides a welcoming community to visitors from out of the area who may want to return for future vacations with members of their family who are disabled or have minor mobility issues.

Charlie Bean
Eureka