How Businesses Treat People With Disabilities

As a woman with a disability, I read the story about Mary Marques-Caramico’s situation in Pacific Grove with great interest -- and disappointment (Dec. 15). It should have looked more closely at why there are so many lawsuits: Many businesses and government offices have been ignoring the Americans With Disabilities Act for so long that they think they have a right to violate the law. Lawsuits are often the only tool people with disabilities have to get businesses and local government to do what they have been legally required to do for 13 years.

The ADA includes provisions to protect small businesses when the cost of compliance creates an undue hardship. I regret the problems faced by small-business owners in Pacific Grove, but they have had many years to make the necessary changes.

Laura Remson Mitchell

Winnetka