Our Vision Statement: Disability Rights California will create individual and family supports, chosen and directed by the person with a disability

Disability Rights California

September 8, 2009

Attorney Margaret Johnson named to California Commission on Disability Access

Senator Ellen Corbett, author of SB 1608 that established the Commission, swears in Margaret Johnson.
Senator Ellen Corbett, author of SB 1608 that established the Commission, swears in Margaret Johnson.

Margaret Johnson, director of advocacy, Disability Rights California, and specialist in ADA litigation, has been named to the newly established California Commission on Disability Access. Commission appointments were announced by Darrell Steinberg, Chair of the Senate Rules Committee.

The Commission studies and makes reports to the legislature on:

1) issues regarding compliance with state laws (raised by people with disabilities or businesses);

Senator Corbett and Margaret Johnson smile for the camera after the swearing-in ceremony.
Senator Corbett and Margaret Johnson smile for the camera after the swearing-in ceremony.

2) determine if the Certified Access Specialist program is meeting the needs of the business and disability communities for "timely, competent inspections that properly identify violations";

3) determine if training and continuing education requirements for personnel involved in designing, plan checking, building or inspecting a structure provide sufficient knowledge of state and federal disability access laws and regulations; and

4) determine if these training and education requirements should also apply to landscape architects, engineers and contractors. The Commission will publish biennial reports on the state of access compliance and develop a checklist for Disability Access Compliance to be used by building inspectors.