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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jessica Walker, President and CEO of Manhattan Chamber of Commerce on Small Business Accessibility Compliance
1:54:12
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122 sec
Jessica Walker, representing the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of proposed legislation to help small businesses comply with accessibility laws. She shared a personal story of a small business owner facing legal challenges due to ADA non-compliance and emphasized the financial burden on small businesses.
- Walker strongly supported Intros 282, 639, and 1260, which aim to provide education, legal assistance, and funding for small businesses to comply with accessibility laws.
- She highlighted the issue of predatory lawsuits targeting small businesses that may not have the resources to defend themselves or make necessary modifications.
- The testimony underscored the need for immediate action to protect small businesses while ensuring accessibility compliance.
Jessica Walker
1:54:12
The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce represents the 129,000 businesses throughout the borough of Manhattan, both large and small.
1:54:19
As you may know, May is small business month, and you are making a lot of small businesses happy with this hearing.
1:54:25
Our chamber runs a storefront business coalition.
1:54:28
One of its co chairs owns a boutique flower shop near City Hall, and he desperately wanted to join today's hearing.
1:54:35
But of course, this is a very, busy time of year for him with, Sunday being Mother's Day.
1:54:41
He is one of the impacted small business owners we're discussing today.
1:54:45
His store was targeted by a lawsuit.
1:54:49
He was the business was actually sued for having an entrance that was out of compliance with the federal disability laws.
1:54:56
He didn't even own the building, but their business was named in the lawsuit because standard leases in New York have a catch all language saying that the business must comply with all laws.
1:55:07
So it kind of puts them on the hook even if they don't own the building.
1:55:12
He had to pay a $5,000 retainer just to have a lawyer appear with him in court to answer the summons and clear up who was accountable and ultimately obtain a stay.
1:55:21
And as you know, 5,000 is not a small expense for the average small business owner.
1:55:26
And that's just the starting point because the business can also be forced to pay the plaintiffs' attorney fees, which is another incentive to move right to lawsuits as opposed to giving the business an opportunity to correct the violation.
1:55:40
And in fact, often small businesses are targeted for that very reason, that they just don't have the wherewithal to defend themselves.
1:55:47
So that's why, in essence, we strongly support Intros February, '6 '30 '9, and December, legislation to provide small business owners with education, legal assistance, and funding to comply with local and federal laws governing accessibility.
1:56:03
A special thank you to public advocate Williams, chair Minnan, chair Felice, and council member Narcisse.
1:56:09
We would love to see these bills get passed as soon as possible, and we will help in any way that we