California is the hotspot for ADA and disability‑access lawsuits, especially against small businesses. Lawmakers in Sacramento are under pressure from both disability advocates and business groups to change how these cases work. Why ADA Lawsuits Are Such a Big Deal in California Under federal law (the ADA), plaintiffs can get injunctions and attorney’s fees, but no automatic money damages. In California, the Unruh Civil Rights Act adds statutory damages—usually at least $4,00

If you install EV chargers in California, you have to think about two things: The California Building Code (CBC), Chapter 11B The federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) CBC 11B gives you the specific rules for electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS). The ADA adds a civil‑rights layer that says people with disabilities must be able to use those chargers. 1. When do accessible EV chargers apply? CBC 11B‑228.3 is the starting point. It says: “Where electric vehicle char

If you've spent any time looking at accessible restrooms, you've probably measured a toilet paper dispenser more times than you can count. It seems simple enough — 7 to 9 inches in front of the toilet, right? But here's the question that comes up all the time, especially with modern multi-roll dispensers: Where exactly do you measure from? The centerline of the dispenser housing? The centerline of the roll itself? The outlet where the paper comes out? Let's talk through it. W

Do we take the literal or practable approach? One of the most common questions I get is: "Are you just reading the code like a rulebook, or do you have wiggle room in how you interpret it?" The honest answer: it depends on what the code is actually saying. Some requirements are absolute — measure, compare, report. Others are written as performance standards or legal thresholds that require trained professional judgment. Knowing which is which is one of the most important skil

A Simple Explanation of ADA Slope Rules If you work in construction or design, you’ve probably heard both numbers for “max slope” on an accessible surface: 2.0% 2.08% (which is the same as a 1:48 slope) It sounds confusing: if the “old ADA” was always talked about as 2.0%, why do the 2010 ADA Standards and California’s CBC Chapter 11B allow a slope that works out to about 2.08%? Let’s break it down in plain language. First, what do the current rules actually say? Both the 201

California CASps are on the front line of construction‑related accessibility claims. We issue reports, we sell and track Disability Access Inspection Certificates (DAICs), and we get asked one question over and over: “If I have a CASp report and DAIC, am I protected? Do I automatically get a ‘stay’ of any lawsuit?” The short answer for practitioners: a DAIC is powerful evidence, but it does not automatically create a stay, and it is never a permanent shield. The stay and earl

When people say “ADA certified” in the context of buildings, they’re really talking about a handful of credentials that prove you understand architectural barriers—parking, ramps, doors, restrooms, paths of travel, all of it. This post keeps it simple, focuses on built‑environment credentials, and explains why some sit higher on the food chain than others. Quick ranking: building accessibility credentials Here’s the big picture first. Table 1 – Architectural accessibility cre

If you’ve ever had this conversation in a parking lot— · Contractor: “My 4-foot level shows 1.8%. We’re good.” · CASp: “My 2-foot digital level reads 2.3%. That’s a violation.” —you’ve run into a core problem in accessibility enforcement: the codes give us hard slope numbers , but they say nothing about the length of the level we’re supposed to use to prove them. That gap is exactly where owners, builders, and CASps start arguing. This article puts all of that int

How to Order, Pay for, and Submit Form 609 for Disability Access Inspection Certificates For CASp inspectors, the links below are links that should be saved for ordering, paying and submiting DAIC certificates to the DGS DSA. Save or bookmark this article to make your life easier. IMPORTANT LINKS FOR CASp INSPECTORS Where do you pay for DAIC certificates? https://www3.thepayplace.com/ca/dgsdsa/caspfees/billpreview.aspx Where do you get the order form to purchase DAIC certific