(June 27, 2008) A new mini-book designed to help improve service to clients with disabilities and eliminate costly Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) liabilities and risks is now being offered by CalBizCentral, the source for California business and human resource compliance products, presented by the California Chamber of Commerce.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 makes it mandatory for you and every employee to accommodate certain requirements that customers may have.

What Everyone Needs to Know About: Accommodating Customers with Disabilities is the latest in a series of mini-books for businesses with high employee and customer interaction, and provides employees with their own easy-to-read reference for avoiding costly scenarios while improving customer service.

“Thousands of businesses – and even some employees – have been sued for not providing appropriate access to people with disabilities and that’s why we’re offering this easy-to-read booklet,” said Jessica Hawthorne, Employment Law Counsel with CalBizCentral. “It’s intended to spur conversation about what needs to be avoided, supplement training, and provide guidance on how best to handle problems when they do arise. It could make the difference between a plaintiff and a satisfied customer.”

The mini-book will help business owners:

• Increase awareness about the range of customer disabilities;
• Increase awareness of common and special situations that impact disabled customers;
• Learn new skills and best practices to serve customers with disabilities; and
• Provide employee training in best practices concerning individuals with special needs.

“It may not always be easy to recognize the sort of special assistance some customers require, but it’s important that businesses provide equal access to all people, including those with disabilities,” said Jessica Hawthorne, Employment Law Council with CalBizCentral.

The What Everyone Needs to Know About: Accommodating Customers with Disabilities is available at www.CalBizCentral.com.

Products are available for purchase by any business; CalChamber preferred and executive members receive a 20 percent discount.