Managers and the Legal Environment 7th Edition by David Madsen, Constance Bagley

Exercise 4

Hermanson Family Limited owns several commercial buildings in a historic block of shops and restaurants called Larimer Square. Kevin Williams, who suffers from paraplegia and is confined to a wheelchair, visited Larimer Square frequently and noticed that architectural barriers prevented him from accessing many of the stores. Specifically, a 5.5-inch iron stoop at the entrance of one of the buildings owned by Hermanson blocked wheelchair access. In addition, the door to the store was recessed from the storefront and added another barrier to wheelchair access.
Williams brought suit against Hermanson under the Americans with Disabilities Act. At trial, Williams introduced a conceptual sketch drawn by an architectural consultant of a ramp design that would provide wheelchair accessibility. The designer was able to offer a rough construction cost estimate of $10,000. On cross-examination, it became clear that the designer had not worked all the design features of the architectural barriers into his drawing. Williams also introduced testimony by an accountant who testified that installing the ramps would have immaterial financial impacts and would be easily accomplished. The lower court found for the building owner after concluding that Williams did not meet the burden of showing the suggested method of barrier removal was "readily achievable." On appeal, what result? [Colorado Cross Disability Coalition v. Hermanson Family Limited Partnership , 264 F.3d 999 (10 th Cir. 2001).]