§ 40:1731 — Purposes

§1731. Purposes
A. The legislature hereby finds that the disabled community is denied access to much
of the built environment and that this denial of access often prevents the disabled community
from exercising their rights and privileges as citizens. Denial of access further impairs the
ability of the disabled community to secure an education, to find and maintain gainful
employment, to live independently, and to otherwise participate fully in society. The
legislature further finds that a large proportion of the population is disabled and that this state
has a moral interest in securing equal rights for all its citizens and an economic interest in
the removal of architectural barriers which keep members of the disabled community on
public assistance programs and from becoming productive citizens.
B. It is therefore the policy of this state to bring to an end, as quickly as possible, the
undue hardship caused by architectural barriers. The state shall enable persons who are
disabled to achieve maximum personal independence, to become gainfully employed, and
to use and enjoy all buildings and facilities. It is the intent of the legislature to implement
the removal of architectural barriers so that members of the disabled community will share
equally in the right to use and enjoy the man-made environment, including but not limited
to places of employment, recreation, entertainment, shopping, and education.

Legislative History

Added by Acts 1977, No. 625, §1; Acts 2011, No. 398, §1.