Sexual Assault & Trump; Americans with Disabilities Act

THIS WEEK ON TO THE CONTRARY.•• FIRST, WILL WOMEN VOTERS COST DONALD TRUMP THE ELECTION?

THEN, BEHIND THE HEADLINES: THE CHALLENGES DISABLED AMERICANS FACE 26 YEARS AFTER THE ADA.

THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.

[♪♪] HELLO, I'M BONNIE ERBE.

WELCOME TO TO THE CONTRARY, A DISCUSSION OF NEWS AND SOCIAL TRENDS FROM DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES.

WHAT A WEEK IN THE HISTORY OF WOMEN IN POLITICS!

THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN PLAYED DEFENSE AGAINST AT LEAST FOUR WOMEN WHO STEPPED FORWARD TO TELL THEIR STORIES ABOUT BEING GROPED AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY HIM.

TWO WOMEN TOLD THE NEW YORK TIMES THEIR STORIES---ONE WHO SAT NEXT TO TRUMP ON AN AIRPLANE IN THE EARLY 80S AND ANOTHER WHO WORKED IN TRUMP TOWERS IN 2005.

THEN A JOURNALIST FOR PEOPLE MAGAZINE SAID SHE TOO WAS INVOLUNTARILY KISSED AND GROPED WHILE AT HIS MAR A LAGO ESTATE TO WRITE A STORY ABOUT HIS FIRST YEAR OF MARRIAGE TO MELANIA.

THIS, AFTER A VIDEOTAPE WAS RELEASED LAST WEEKEND IN WHICH TRUMP BRAGGED TO FORMER ACCESS HOLLYWOOD HOST BILLY BUSH ABOUT HOW EASY IT WAS TO KISS WOMEN, GROPE THEM AND ASSAULT THEIR GENITALS BECAUSE HE WAS A QUOTE, "STAR."

IN LAST WEEK'S TOWN HALL DEBATE TRUMP CALLED HIS CLAIMS IN THAT TAPE WORDS, JUST WORDS AND LOCKER ROOM BANTER.

MAJOR LEAGUE BALL PLAYERS SUCH AS LEBRON JAMES RUSHED FORWARD TO SAY, HIS EXPERIENCE WITH LOCKER ROOM TALK REVEALED NOTHING OF THE KIND.

TRUMP RESPONDED BY CALLING ALL THE CLAIMS LIES AND THREATENING TO SUE THE NEW YORK TIMES.

HE TRIED TO SHIFT FOCUS TO A NEW ROUND OF CLINTON STAFF EMAILS RELEASED BY WIKILEAKS.

HE SAID THEY SHOWED HER STAFFERS DISREPECTING CATHOLICS AND EVANGELICALS.

BUT THE EFFORT SEEMED TO BE COMPLETELY DROWNED OUT BY HIS SEXUAL ASSAULT SCANDALS.

MEANWHILE, HIS SUPPORT DWINDLED IN NATIONAL AND BATTLEGROUND STATE POLLS BUT HIS CAMPAIGN DENIES IT IS PULLING OUT OF VIRGINIA.

FIVE NEW POLLS SHOWED HILLARY CLINTON AHEAD BETWEEN 12 AND 2 POINTS IN PENNSYLVANIA.

WHEN A FOX NEWS HOST THIS WEEK TOLD TRUMP HE HAD LOST WOMEN VOTERS TRUMP RESPONDED HE DIDN'T BELIEVE IT.

SO, THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE PANEL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> IS THERE ANY HISTORICAL PRECEDENT FOR TRUMP BEING ABLE TO WIN BACK WOMEN VOTERS THREE WEEKS OUT?

>> NO PRECEDENT AND WE HAVE NEVER HAD A MAJOR NOMINEE UNPOPULAR WITH WOMEN AS DONALD TRUMP IS.

>> QUITE A LOT OF WOMEN VOTE DEMOCRAT ANYWAY AND THIS ELECTION IS UNPRECEDENTED AND MANY WOMEN CARE ABOUT ECONOMIC ISSUES AND THEY WILL BE VOTING FOR DONALD TRUMP BECAUSE THEY WANT ECONOMIC GROWTH.

>> LOOK, BONNIE, MARRIED WHITE WOMEN WHO TRADITIONALLY VOTE REPUBLICAN MET THEIR NEMESIS, AN AGGRESSIVE SERIAL ADULTER.

>> HISTORIC WHATEVER IT IS WE HAVE NEVER SEEN A CANDIDATE SPEAK OPENLY ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT AND WOMEN WILL GO TO THE BALLOT REMEMBERING THIS.

>> DO MORE WOMEN HAVE TO ADMIT THAT SUPPORTING TRUMP WHEN THE POLLS NOW ARE ANONYMOUS?

>> WHAT IS INTERESTING IS HE DOES DO BETTER IN ON-LINE POLLS WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY -- ARE YOU NOT TALKING TO A REAL PERSON.

>> AND YOU COULD BE PRETENDING TO BE A WHITE WOMAN OR A BLACK MAN WHATEVER.

>> BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PRETEND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ADMIT TO A FELLOW WOMAN THAT YOU ARE SUPPORTING DONALD TRUMP.

IT IS TRUE THAT HE DOES BETTER.

HE IS IN SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH WOMEN NOW AND WE HAVE NEVER HAD MARRIED WOMEN AND MARRIED MEN DISAGREE THAT THERE IS NO COMING BACK.

>> AND DIANE WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> GREAT TO BE ON.

>> I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF WOMEN WHO SUPPORT TRUMP SAY OH, THAT WAS JUST LOCKER ROOM TALK AND YOU HEAR IT ALL THE TIME.

IT'S'S MAN'S WORLD, I HEAR IT AT WORK.

THAT TO ME SEEMS TO BE THE MAIN DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN WOMEN WHO ARE SUPPORTING HILLARY CLINTON AND WOMEN WHO ARE SUPPORTING TRUMP IS THAT SOMEHOW WOMEN THAT ARE SUPPORTING TRUMP LIVE IN A DIFFERENT WORLD WHERE SEXUAL ASSAULT AND TALK OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IS COMMONPLACE.

>> WOMEN WHO SUPPORT TRUMP ARE LOOKING AT THE ISSUES.

WE HAVE A GDP GROWTH OF 1% AND LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATES AT 1978 LEVELS.

WOMEN ARE HURTING NOT BECAUSE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT BUT BECAUSE THEY CANNOT GET ENOUGH INCOME GROWTH TO MAKE THEIR FAMILIES COMFORTABLE.

DONALD TRUMP PUT FORWARD A WHOLE ALLOWING STATES TO DRILL IN TERMS OF ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AND THIS IS MOVING THE ECONOMY FORWARD.

>> WHY ISN'T HE TALKING MORE ABOUT IT?

HE IS TALKING ABOUT ATTACKING HILLARY AND BILL CLINTON.

>> HE TALKS A LOT ABOUT THE ISSUES SUCH AS REPEALING OBAMACARE AND BRINGING BACK BUSINESS FROM ABROAD WITH THE LOWER CORPORATE TAX RATE INSTEAD OF THE TAX RATE WE HAVE BUT THE MEDIA LIKES SEX.

EVERYONE LIKES TO TALK ABOUT SEX.

IT IS MORE INTERESTING THAN E-MAILS.

SO EVERYONE IS FOCUSED ON THAT.

>> BUT WOULD YOU NOT SAY THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED IN A CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY?

I MEAN -- >> DONALD TRUMP IS -- >> TEDDY ROOSEVELT AND FDR AND ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND JOHN KENNEDY AND JOHN KENNEDY WHO HAD MARILYN MONROE AT THE WHITE HOUSE WHO HISTORIANS HAVE SAID THEY HAD AN AFFAIR HE WASN'T OUT THERE GRABBING WOMEN BY THE YOU KNOW WHAT?

>> LOOK.

DONALD TRUMP'S HISTORY HAS BEEN CLEAR FROM WHEN HE STARTED RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

BILL CLINTON HAD NUMEROUS PROOFS OF RAPE AND ASSAULT, MONICA LEWINSKY, JENNIFER FLOWERS, I DO NOT HAVE TO GO WITH THE LIST AND NOW HILLARY CLINTON IS ON THE TICKET AND PUT BETS RIGHT OUTSIDE THE OVAL OFFICE TO STOP BIMBO ERUPTIONS.

>> WHY DO WE VILIFY A WOMAN WHO WAS CHEATED ON?

WHY DOES IT MAKE IT OK THAT DONALD TRUMP'S ACTIONS LEADS OUR YOUNG PEOPLE OUR MASSES WITH THE DEROGATORY VULGAR COMMENTS.

HOW CAN WE SAY THAT IS ACCEPTABLE SAYING SHE ENABLED HIM?

>> BILL CLINTON'S WERE ACTIONS.

>> ERIC TRUMP POSTED A MAP IF THE ELECTION WERE MEN ONLY HIS FATHER WOULD WIN.

IT STARTED A HASHTAG REPEAL THE 19TH AMENDMENT.

IS THERE SUCH A MAJOR CHASM BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN IN THE COUNTRY?

>> WELL, THERE IS A MAJOR GENDER GAP BUT MOST MEN WOULD NOT REPEAL THE 19TH AMENDMENT AND MOST MEN ARE SUPPORTIVE OF EXPANDING VOTING RIGHTS FOR EVERYONE.

OUR DEMOCRACY IS I AM PAR BUT WE ARE ENGAGING IN AN EXPERIMENT WE TRY AND IMPROVE EVERYDAY AND NOT GO BACK AND IT'S IRONIC THAT ERIC TRUMP DOESN'T WANT TO TAKE US BACK TO THE 20TH CENTURY BUT THE 18TH CENTURY.

MOST WOMEN AND MEN WANT TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> ERIC TRUMP DOES NOT TALK ABOUT THE TAKING AWAY THE RIGHT FOR WOMEN'S RIGHT TO VOTE.

AND HE DID NOT SAY THAT AND NEITHER DID DONALD TRUMP OR ANYONE IN THE TRUMP FAMILY.

FOCUS ON THE REAL SERIOUS ISSUES AFFECTING AMERICA SUCH AS OBAMACARE PREMIUMS.

>> WHEN I TALK NOBODY TALKS, PLEASE.

A WOMAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA TWEETED OUT EVERYBODY WHO HAS BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED COME FORWARD AND SHE GOT MORE THAN A MILLION RESPONSES.

THERE ARE PEOPLE LOOKING AT THIS AS A TEACHABLE MOMENT.

IT IS SUCH AN ABERRATION TO HAVE SOMEBODY LIKE THIS IN -- HAVING WON A MAJOR PARTY NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT THAT PROFESSORS AT SCHOOLS WHO TEACH MEN AND MASCULINITY CLASSES ARE USING THIS AS A TEACHABLE MOMENT HOW NOT TO BE.

ARE WE GOING TO SEE A HUGE MOVEMENT LIKE WE SAW A MOVEMENT AGAINST CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULT BECAUSE OF DONALD TRUMP AND WHAT HE SAID?

>> I HOPE WE DO.

I THINK MILLENNIAL WOMEN GIVEN THE TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE WE ARE MORE OUTSPOKEN AND WHAT IT'S DONE, DONALD TRUMP'S COMMENTS AND THE SUBSEQUENT BACKLASH AND THE WOMEN COMING FORWARD AND SAYING I WAS ACTUALLY ASSAULTED.

IT'S EVOKED FEELINGS OF PAIN AND SHAME AND SADNESS IN MANY WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIM OF GROPING IN THE WORKPLACE.

>> AND GALVANIZING THE WOMEN'S VOTE AND MAKING THEM MORE UNIFIED AROUND HILLARY CLINTON AND THE GENDER GAP IS RECORD HIGH AND A LOT OF MEN ARE REJECTING THIS AS WELL.

BUT WHAT I THINK IS REALLY GOOD AND I BET WE CAN GET CONSENSUS AROUND THE TABLE IS THAT POST THIS ELECTION, THERE WILL NOW BE A CULTURAL CONSENSUS IN OUR COUNTRY LIKE BLACK LIVES MATTER DID, THIS IS NO LONGER SILENCE.

THIS IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE AND SOMETHING THAT WOMEN HAVE TO PUT UP WITH.

AND WE HAVE EXPOSED IT AND TALKED ABOUT IT AND NOW WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND I THINK YOU WILL SEE YOUNG GIRLS AND BOYS THINKING DIFFERENTLY OUR TEACHERS WILL TAKE THIS ON AND THE PARENTS WILL TAKE THIS ON.

THIS IS A TURNING POINT IN OUR CULTURE ALL FOR THE BETTER THAT WE CAN ALL BE UNITED AROUND.

>> I'M CURIOUS, IS IT GOING TO BE A LANDSLIDE?

PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT?

>> ELECTORAL VOTE LANDSLIDE PROBABLY.

BUT A LOT DEPENDS ON THE TURNOUT AND THERE'S STATES THAT WILL GO FOR DONALD TRUMP HE WILL GET 38-40% OF THE VOTE.

BECAUSE VOTERS WILL BE VOTING OTHER ISSUES BESIDES THIS ISSUE.

SOME DIANE HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

THE POINT IS, AFTER THIS ELECTION, I WOULD HOPE WE HAVE A BIPARTISAN CONSENSUS THAT WE ARE GOING TO PUT IN PLACE WORKPLACE RULES AND WE HAVE -- >> WE HAVE WORKPLACE RULES.

WE HAVE RULES AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT.

>> AND I THINK WE CAN SEE A CHANGE IN OUR WORKPLACE.

>> I DO HAVE TO ASK YOU.

CLEARLY, DONALD TRUMP FOR ALL HIS FLAWS, HAS MADE THE POINT THAT A LARGE GROUP OF AMERICANS AS YOU'VE SAID, 38-40% OF VOTERS AND THAT IS WHAT IS ABOUT 100 MILLION, THAT THEY ARE SICK OF MASS IMMIGRATION.

THAT THEY WANT LOWER TAXES.

THEY DON'T LIKE SEEING THEIR MEDICAL BILLS GOING SKY HIGH BECAUSE OF OBAMACARE.

ARE DEMOCRATS GOING TO CONCEDE ANYTHING TO THEM WHEN HILLARY ASSUMING THE POLLS DO NOT CHANGE, WHEN AND IF SHE WINS THE WHITE HOUSE?

>> YOU SEE THE DEMOCRATS MOVING INTO RED AND NOT ONLY CONCEDING THEY ARE SEEING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 30 YEARS TO REALLY BROADEN THEIR OWN BASE.

BUT BONNIE, DONALD TRUMP HAS DONE SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT FOR WOMEN.

HE TALKS ABOUT HIS BEING A MOVEMENT.

HE HAS TIMELY GIVEN US A MOVEMENT AND THIS WHEN YOU SAW THOSE HASHTAGS NOT OK AND THE ONE MILLION WOMEN WHO INDEED HAVE RESPONDED AND CARRIED THIS ON, THE MILLENNIALS ABOVE ALL ARE WHERE THIS IS MORE RAMPANT AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE THIS WILL BE HIS LEGACY.

THAT HE SPARKED A REAL MOVEMENT TO TIMELY GET RID OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT.

>> WE ARE WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

>> IT'S FOUR AGAINST ONE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE PAM WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER.

BEHIND THE HEADLINES, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT IS 26 YEARS OLD ----THE SIGNATURE LAW OF GEORGE H.W.

BUSH'S PRESIDENCY.

IT GUARANTEES EQUAL CIVIL RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO PUBLIC PLACES TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

AND YET, IT CAN STILL BE PRETTY TOUGH TO GET AROUND FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, DESPITE THE LAW'S PROMISE: DISABILITY RIGHTS ADVOCATE MATT McCULLOUGH TOOK US ON A TOUR OF ENTRY WAYS IN A DOWNTOWN AREA FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE AND FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE TO SHOW US HOW GETTING IN AND OUT OF MANY PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, STOREFRONTS, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS AND OFFICE BUILDINGS CAN BE DAUNTING IF YOU ARE ON CRUTCHES OR IN A WHEELCHAIR OR EVEN JUST CARRYING LOTS OF BAGS OR RUSHING IN OUT OF THE RAIN.

MATT POINTED OUT THE IRONY IN THE SIGN THAT SAYS ANYONE WHO NEEDS ASSISTANCE CAN RING THE BELFOUR HELP.

AND THE SIGN AND THE DOOR ARE UP THREE OLD STONE STEPS.

>> HOW DO YOU CONTACT ANYBODY TO COME OUT AND GIVE ASSISTANCE?

>> EVEN THOUGH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OR ADA HAS BEEN THE LAW FOR MORE THAN A QUARTER CENTURY AND BUSINESSES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE, THEY ARE NOT.

AND THIS DOESN'T JUST HARM PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

>> WE HAVE A PLURALISTIC VIEW OF THE WORLD WHERE PEOPLE GETTING OLDER AND HAVING DIFFICULTY WALKING, PEOPLE THAT ARE PUSHING STROLLERS WITH CHILDREN AND PULLING CARTS WITH THEIR COMPUTERS AND ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS THEY HAVE IN THEIR BAGS THAT ARE TOO HEAVY TO CARRY, THEY ARE ALL USING THE ACCESSIBLE FEATURES OF A PLURALISTIC ENVIRONMENT.

>> THE REASON SO MANY BUILDINGS LACK RAMPS OR AUTOMATIC DOORS OR THINGS THAT MAKE THEM ACCESSIBLE IS BEING IN COMPLIANCE WITH BUILDING CODES IS BASED ON A PUBLIC REPORTING SYSTEM.

IT IS ONLY WHEN SOMEONE FILES A COMPLAINT WITH THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT THAT INVESTIGATORS AND LAWYERS GO INTO ACTION.

THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CHARGED WITH ENFORCING THE ADA SENDS OUT INVESTIGATORS WHO NEGOTIATE WITH BUSINESS OWNERS WHO INSTALL AUTOMATIC DOORS OR RAMPS AND IN SOME CASES PAY FINES UP TO $150,000 FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS AND MORE IN SPECIAL CASES.

BUT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S ADA COMPLIANCE DIVISION IS OVERWHELMED AND CANNOT DISCOVER AND PROSECUTE EVERY CONTINUING VIOLATION.

ITS WEBSITE LISTS PENDING CLAIMS AND SETTLED SUITS.

ONE LARGE SETTLE.

WAS NEGOTIATED WITH GREYHOUND BUS LINES FOR FAILING TO MAKE BUSES ACCESSIBLE TO THOUSANDS OF DISABLED USERS.

THE GRAY HOUND SUIT WAS TYPICAL OF THOSE AGAINST LARGE EMPLOYERS NOT MAKING PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL TYPES OF CONSUMERS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALSO RUNS ABOUT HALF A DOZEN CENTERS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO HELP PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FIND OUT HOW TO MAKE SURE PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS ARE ACCESSIBLE AND THAT WORKPLACES DO NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THEM.

MARIAN VESSELS RUNS ONE OF THEM.

SHE IS A FRIENDLY HELPFUL AMBASSADOR FOR THE ADA.

>> NOW WE ARE IN THE CITY WHICH IS A BEAUTIFUL OLD HISTORIC TOWN OUTSIDE OF WASHINGTON D.C.

BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE.

AND WE ARE AT THE CREATIVE ARTS STUDIO AND GALLERY CALLED THE CLAY GROUND.

AND THE CLAY GROUND OFFERS CLASSES AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS LIKE LEARNING HOW TO FUSE GLASS AND MARIAN CAME HERE SEVERAL MONTHS EARLIER TO TAKE ONE OF THE CLASSES AND SHE FOUND IT WAS INACCESSIBLE BUT THE OWNER CHARLENE RANDOLPH WAS VERY HELPFUL AND MADE IT ACCESSIBLE.

>> SHARLENE WAS HERE AND I STARTED TALKING WITH HER ABOUT WHAT THE ADA SAYS ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY.

AND SO SHE SAID WELL, LET'S LOOK IT UP AND SAID THAT THE RAMPS WERE REALLY PRETTY INEXPENSIVE AND SAID, YEAH I CAN DO THAT.

>> I'M HAPPIED TO IT.

I MEAN, I -- I'M SURE I WILL WRITE IT OFF SOMEHOW BUT IT MADE SENSE TO ME.

YOU WERE TALKING 20,000 DOLLARS BY THE TIME YOU ARE DONE.

OK. WHAT SMALL BUSINESS PERSON MOM AND POP STORE DOWN HERE HAS THAT KIND OF MONEY?

SO WHEN SHE TOLD ME THERE WAS A PORTABLE SOLUTION MY BRAIN WENT REALLY?

ARE YOU SURE?

>> SOME LARGE PERMANENT RAMPS CAN COST THAT MUCH AND MORE.

BUT THE TEMPORARY RAMP SHARLENE USES WAS A FRACTION OF THE COST.

MARIAN IS QUICK TO POINT OUT THERE ARE TAX CREDITS FOR BUSINESSES THAT BECOME ACCESSIBLE AND WHAT IS CALLED THE BUSINESS CASE FOR MAKING BUSINESSES ACCESSIBLE.

>> IT'S SPATED THAT AT LEAST -- ESTIMATED THAT ONE IN FIVE PEOPLE HAVE DISABILITIES.

AND WE HAVE FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

AND SO YOU KNOW, OFTEN YOU KNOW, I DO NOT GO BY MYSELF TO DO THINGS I'M BRINGING A FRIEND.

YOU KNOW, I GO SHOPPING AND I EAT OUT AND YOU KNOW, SLEEP IN HOTELS AND DO ALL THESE THINGS.

AND USUALLY WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

SO THERE IS A HUGE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY THAT IF YOU ARE NOT WELCOMING TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, YOU ARE MISSING NOT ONLY THEIR BUYING POWER BUT THOSE OF THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AS WELL.

>> NOT ALL BUSINESS OWNERS SAY THEY CAN AFFORD ACCESSIBLE ALTERATIONS OR AFFORD TO RENT STOREFRONTS LARGE ENOUGH TO BE ACCESSIBLE AND NOT ALL PEOPLE FILING COMPLAINTS ARE HONEST.

TRAVIS RAN A SMALL BURGER SHOP IN SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA AND WAS ALMOST PUT OUT OF BUSINESS BY PEOPLE WHO DEMANDED MONEY WHEN HE FAILED TO COMPLY.

>> BECAUSE OF MY BEING SUED AND HAVING TO MOVE MY BUSINESS I LOST $60,000 A YEAR INCOME BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE TO PAY RENT AND I SOLD THE PROPERTY HALF OF WHAT I PAID FOR IT IT DID NOT HAVE THE VALUE THAT IT HAD AND THE $60,000 WILL CONTINUE AS LONG AS I STAY IN BUSINESS.

THAT IS A LOSS I HAVE TO ENDURE.

>> STILL, MARIAN TRUDGES ON IN HER PURSUIT TO INFORM ALL PEOPLE'S RIGHTS UNDER THE ADA.

AND THIS DAY SHE ADDRESSED A GROUP OF VETERANS IN A CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON D.C. >> I WAS INJURED IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE SO I HAVE BEEN IN A CHAIR FOR 42 YEARS.

AND I DEVELOP OTHER DISABILITIES.

SO FOR MOST PEOPLE IT'S NOT THE EXCEPTION TO HAVE MORE THAN ONE DISABILITY.

BUT PEOPLE KIND OF THINK, GOSH, WELL, THAT ONE.

I DEVELOPED BREAST CANCER ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO.

AND MY DOCTORS WERE ALL LIKE GOSH, YOU ARE ALREADY IN A CHAIR AND YOU HAVE BREAST CANCER?

>> SHE COACHED THE VETERANS HOW TO EXPLAIN THAT SMALL BARRIERS TO PEOPLE WITHOUT DISABILITIES CAN BE MAJOR BARRIERS TO THOSE WITH THEM.

>> THEY MAY THINK IT'S ONE OR TWO STEPS.

AND I MIGHT AS WELL FLY.

>> EXACTLY.

>> THEY JUST DON'T COMPREHEND THAT THAT REALLY IS A BARRIER TO YOUR EMPLOYMENT.

>> NOW YOU CANNOT GET IN ANYMORE.

AND I FOUND JUST WORKING WITH THE COMPANY I WAS, WE WERE ABLE TO WORK THINGS OUT SATISFACTORY FOR 23 YEARS.

>> YOU KNOW WHEN I WAS INJURED 42 YEARS AGO, THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF PLACES THAT WERE ACCESSIBLE AND YOU DID NOT HAVE CELL PHONES AND WAYS TO LET PEOPLE KNOW.

AND I DID -- I WOULD CALL AHEAD BEFORE I WOULD LEAVE AND SAY I AM IN A WHEELCHAIR AND ACCESSIBLE AND THERE WOULD BE A STEP.

>> DAVID RUNS THE AGENCY IN CHARGE OF MAKING SURE ALL FEDERAL BUILDINGS ARE ACCESSIBLE.

HE TRAVELS INTERNATIONALLY TO REPRESENT THE U.S. AT CONFERENCES ON UNIVERSAL ACCESS DESIGN.

WHILE THE U.S.

STILL IS NOT 100% ACCESSIBLE DAVID SAYS... >> IT IS A TESTMENT THAT OTHER COUNTRIES COME TO US TO LEARN ABOUT HOUR SUCCESSES.

BECAUSE WE'VE STARTED BEFORE AND WE HAVE GOOD LEGISLATION.

WE HAVE A'S GOOD PUBLIC POLICY SO I THINK THAT IS JUST TESTAMENT ENOUGH THAT COUNTRIES WANT TO LEARN FROM OUR EXPERIENCES.

>> SO MARIAN, WELCOME TO THE PANEL.

DAVID SAID WE ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD AND YET WE ARE REALLY NOT THAT GOOD IN TERMS OF FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF DISABLED PEOPLE MYSELF INCLUDED.

I BROKE MY NECK AND DAMAGED BY SPINAL CORD FIVE YEARS AGO AND HAVE TROUBLE SOMETIMES GETTING IN AND OUT OF PLACES.

SO IS VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE THE ANSWER?

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SCOPE OF THE ADA WE ARE LOOKING EMPLOYMENT, PLACES OF BUSINESS, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WEBSITES, TELECOMMUNICATION, TRANSPORTATION, THAT REALLY IS THE ONLY OPTION.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FULL INCLUSION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

>> I DO WANT TO SAY HERE COME THE BABY-BOOMERS AND WE ARE GOING TO SEE THIS STATUTE TAKE OFF LIKE WILDFIRE BUT ON VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE IS HOW MOST OF OUR LAWS TO BE SURE WITH THE EMPLOYMENT LAWS THAT CAN BE INITIATED COMPLAINTS BUT THE WAY IN WHICH WE HAVE GOTTEN AT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST BLACKS AND WOMEN IS THEY FILE COMPLAINTS.

HERE WE HAVE WHAT MARIAN IS DOING SHE IS FILING A COMPLAINT AND THE LAWYERS HAVE DISCOVERED HER BECAUSE THOUGH SHE COULD NOT OR SOMEONE IN HER POSITION COULD NOT GET DAMAGES THE LAWYERS CAN GET FEES AND THEY ARE RUSHING TO TAKE THE SUITS IT'S CALLED PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE ANTIDISCRIMINATION STATUTES.

>> WHICH SOUNDS WONDERFUL BUT HERE WE ARE 26 YEARS LATER AND THERE ARE MORE PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS OUT OF COMPLIANCE THAN IN COMPLIANCE.

>> AND THOSE ARE BEFORE 1990.

AND -- >> BUILDINGS BUILT BEFORE 1990.

>> WHEN THE STATUTE WAS PASSED.

AND WE HAVE SOME NONCOMPLIANT AFTERWARDS.

BUT GOING AFTER THOSE OTHERS AND FINDING A WAY FOR EVEN SMALL BUSINESSES AND WE ARE VERY MUCH COMPLIMENTING HER UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WERE ACCEPTABLE WAYS FOR SMALL BUSINESS TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE.

>> IN THE DATA WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT THIS, IS IT'S AT THE LEVEL OF CORE VALUE NOW.

YES, THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF CONTENTION WITH SMALL BUSINESS, I AM SYMPATHETIC TO 20,000 DOLLARS BUT THIS HAS GOTTEN BEYOND POLICY TO CORE VALUE.

YOU HAVE 88% OF AMERICANS WHO WANT ACCOMMODATION FOR EMPLOYMENT.

YOU HAVE ANYWHERE FROM TWO-THIRDS TO THREE QUARTERS WHO WANT IN ALL PURCHASING.

AMERICA'S READY FOR THE CONVERSATION AND IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE CONTENTIOUS.

I THINK WE CAN SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES BUT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND WHEN THE BABY-BOOMERS GET THERE IT'S ABOUT THE BABY-BOOMERS.

I SAY THAT AS ONE.

>> THAT IS FABULOUS DATA.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

AND YOU HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE WITHOUT DISABILITIES WITH HELPING FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> MY FATHER IS A POLIO SURVIVOR.

AND THE ADA WAS AT THE CENTERPIECE OF THE THINGS WE LOVED ABOUT AMERICA BECAUSE HE IS FROM INDIA ORIGINALLY AND SAYS WHAT IS BEAUTIFUL ABOUT THE COUNTRY IS WE VALUE EACH INDIVIDUAL LIFE PEOPLE COME AND RUSH TO OUR AID AS WE GO OUT TO DINNER AND THERE IS A STEP AND WE HAVE TO LIFT DAD'S WHEELCHAIR I ORDERED A RAMP TO MAKE MY HOME ACCESSIBLE.

AND IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE WE AS FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE TO FACE BUT IT'S GOOD WHERE WE ARE.

LOOK AT OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD THEY DON'T HAVE WHAT WE HAVE.

WE CAN DO BETTER I AGREE AND TAX CREDITS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES THAT MAKES IT ALL THE MORE SWEETER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THAT IS IF FOR THIS EDITION.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE, PEB PEB PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY AND WHETHER YOU AGREE OR THINK TO THE CONTRARY, SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

[♪♪] EPISODE OF TO THE CONTRARY PLEASE VISIT OUR PBS WEBSITE AT PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.

[♪♪]