MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Life in a wheelchair is tough enough and some Memphis businesses don't make it any easier. In fact, one local group said several are breaking federal law.
"It really upsets me. It pisses me off actually," said Randy Alexander with the Memphis Center for Independent Living.
Alexander is fed up and speaking out.
"It's a violation of our civil rights,” Alexander told abc24.com.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires businesses as well as public transportation to have access for everyone with disabilities, or it's a violation of the law. Alexander believes no one in Memphis seems to enforce it.
"Code enforcement does not check for ADA violations, they check for code," said Alexander. "They check for plumbing and electrical and other things, that's ‘not their job’ they say."
So he's out to change that.
"It's time to organize the community together and go confront the fact that they are not accessible. We will shut them down," Alexander told abc24.com.
Donald’s Donuts on Union Avenue has a wheelchair accessible parking lot, but getting inside the business is a different story.
"We've had no one come in with wheelchairs yet," said employee Sharon Edwards.
That's because they can't. Sharon Edwards had no idea they were violating federal law.
"I will mention it to the owners because I think it's something that needs to be done,” Edwards told abc24.com.
"It's incredibly frustrating. I've been doing this for 18 years and you think after all these years it'll be easier, but it's not,” said Alexander.
Memphis City Code Enforcement has stopped new businesses from opening if they are not accessible, but Alexander says there's plenty more work to be done. The Memphis Center for Independent Living plans to protest several businesses violating the law.
