The Oklahoma Bar Journal September 2025

alter the nature of the services provided. 11 Audiovisual and Remote Services: Law firms must provide appropriate services to ensure effective commu nication with employees and clients who have hearing, vision or speech disabili ties. 12 This includes accessi ble websites and documents in accessible formats. PARKING FACILITIES: THE FIRST POINT OF ACCESS Accessible parking represents the initial compliance challenge for many law firms, yet it is often the most visible indicator of a firm’s commitment to accessibil ity. In guidance provided for the 2010 standards, the term “facility” is used to include both parking lots and parking structures. The 2010 standards also establish specific quantity and technical requirements.

where such removal is “readily achievable,” mean ing easily accomplishable without much difficulty or expense. 10 Determining whether barrier removal is readily achievable is made on a case-by-case basis by considering the specific nature and cost of the removal, the overall resources of the business and other relevant factors. This requirement is ongo ing and must be reassessed as circumstances change. Additional factors required in new construction are not discussed in this article. Policy Modifications: Law firms must make rea

and his law firm. 6 The parties and the court agreed that both Mr. LeHouillier 7 and his law office 8 were places of public accommoda tion covered by Title III of the ADA. This example demonstrates that ensuring your clients, employees and anyone else invited into your law firm can access not only the physical premises but also the full range of legal services offered by your firm applies to both lawyers and law firms. Law firms must comply with both the general provisions of Title III and the specific architec tural standards of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (2010 standards). 9 These obligations include, but are not limited to: Removal of Architectural Barriers: Law firms must remove architectural bar riers in existing facilities COMPLIANCE: KEY OBLIGATIONS

sonable modifications to policies, practices and pro cedures when necessary to provide equal access, unless the law firm can demon strate that such modifica tions would fundamentally

Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff.

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL