Belly flop of a rule

This year the federal Justice Department declared the Americans With Disabilities Act applied to pools used by the public. This led to an outcry from many hotel operators who faced the sudden cost of installing elevators, lifts or ramps to accommodate the disabled and the threat of associated lawsuits.

It turns out that rule’s impact wasn’t limited to the hotel industry. Tulsa Public Schools may close many of its pools due in part to the new regulations. The district could have to install lifts at 23 pools at a cost of $7,500 apiece. That $172,500 total cost is equivalent to several teachers’ annual salaries and effectively cuts school funds.

As with many federal regulations, this proposal will do little to increase access for the disabled, and much to reduce access for countless other Americans.

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