Super Bowl returning to Miami in 2020 – Will it be ADA compliant and accessible for those with disabilities?  

South Floridians, mark your calendars for January 2020. The NFL recently announced that the Super Bowl will return to Miami, Florida, and while praise is being given to Miami Dolphins’ owner Steve Ross for spending almost a half-billion dollars in stadium upgrades, we are celebrating a [potential] Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) victory.

According to the New Miami Stadium website, the stadium will have accessible options in all seating areas. The new and improved stadium is committed to accommodating all guests.

The U.S. Department of Justice requires all “new stadiums” to be accessible to people with disabilities so they, their families and their friends can experience equal access to entertainment, recreation and leisure. Other accessibility requirements such as parking lots, entrances and restrooms also apply, but these are the same requirements needed for any other public accommodations. All stadiums, no matter how long ago they were built, must remove architectural barriers when it is “readily achievable” to do so” (even if not a new stadium). http://www.adachecklist.org/doc/fullchecklist/ada-checklist.pdf

Key ADA compliance features that new stadiums must abide to include:

• Wheelchair accessible seating + companion seating so individuals are not isolated
• Wheelchair seating locations in all areas including sky boxes
• Removable folding seats
• Wheelchair seating locations in more than one location if there are more than 300 seats provided
• Wheelchair seating locations on an accessible route
• Wheelchair seating that provides lines of sight (i.e. when they cannot stand they should still be able to see)
• Folding or removable armrests available in one percent of stadium seats
• Access to all concessions
• Accessible routes to playing fields, lockers and spaces used by players and performers
• Receivers for assistive listening systems
• Signs to notify spectators of the availability of receivers
• Passenger drop-off and pick-up areas
• Fifty percent (50%) of entrances must be accessible
• Both visual and audible alarms must be in place in the event of an emergency

Stadiums that are not ADA Compliant are paying a hefty price

Qualcomm Stadium, home of the San Diego Chargers, is still not ADA compliant, and it’s costing them millions. After shelling out nearly 5 million dollars in improvements, the stadium is still deficient, and taxpayer checks to the Chargers are being used to fund perks for disabled individuals.

Back in 2001, the city of San Diego settled a lawsuit with disability rights activists, vouching to make Qualcomm Stadium accessible to everyone by 2002.

About 15 years later, the stadium still isn’t up to snuff. Until the stadium follows all ADA compliance guidelines, the settlement stated that the city must provide discounted tickets and free parking for people with disabilities at Chargers games.

Last year alone, taxpayers paid $600,000.00 in rent subsidies to fund ticket discounts and free parking at games.

The lesson learned is that being ADA compliant is imperative… and can be costly if not taken seriously.

We advocate equality for all. It is important that everyone have equal access at stadiums and all event sites. Equal access is for everyone.

ADA is here to stay, and we’re eager to see what the Miami Dolphins’ Stadium has done to make itself accessible to all. See you at the Super Bowl!

*Disclaimer – This is in no way to be considered legal advice. An attorney client relationship does not exist from your reading of this blog or your following any of the suggested courses of action above.