The March 2012 Deadline Has Passed: Do Your ATMs Meet ADA Accessibility Requirements?

Presenter: Elizabeth Fast, JD & CPA, Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP
Date: Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Time: 2:00 - 3:30 pm Central

Focus:
Do your credit union’s ATMs comply with the revised Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations that were effective March 15, 2012?  If an ATM was purchased before 2010, it probably doesn’t meet the new regulation’s standards.  Because financial institutions must ensure that disabled members are not treated differently, your credit union is required to provide auxiliary devices to assist them.  The ADA mandates new specific requirements for ATM speech output, privacy, tactilely-discernible input controls, display screens, and Braille instructions, in addition to general-accessibility requirements regarding height restrictions and maneuverability space for wheelchairs. 

The only compliance exception is if the credit union’s compliance would result in an “undue burden.”  This term is specifically defined in the new regulations and is difficult to meet.  Anyone who believes they have been subject to discrimination based on non-compliance with the ADA has the right to bring a private lawsuit against your credit union or a class action suit on behalf of all similarly-situated persons.  In addition, the Attorney General can initiate an investigation or ADA-compliance audit. 

Join us to learn the general accessibility requirements, the new specific requirements, the limited exception, and recommendations on how your credit union can achieve compliance with the ADA’s ATM requirements.

What You Will Learn

  • Detailed explanation of the general rules and the new specific ADA requirements for ATMs
  • Practical solutions to help your credit union achieve compliance with the ADA requirements
  • What to do if your ATM location is leased
  • Understand the limited exception and how to qualify for it
  • How your credit union can analyze the ADA requirements, costs of compliance, and create a compliance plan

Who Should Sign Up?
This informative session is applicable for everyone who deals with ATMs, including operations, branch managers, facilities and security personnel, member service representatives, compliance officers, attorneys, and senior management.

About the Presenter:
Elizabeth Fast, Esq. is a partner with Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP where she specializes in the representation of financial institutions.  Elizabeth is the head of the firm’s training division.  She received her law degree from the University of Kansas and her undergraduate degree from Pittsburg State University.  In addition, she has a Master of Business Administration degree and she is a Certified Public Accountant.  Before joining Spencer Fane, she was General Counsel, Senior Vice President, and Corporate Secretary of a $9 billion bank with more than 130 branches, where she managed all legal, regulatory, and compliance functions.  She is a member of the Missouri State Banking Board by appointment of the Governor.

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