STEVE MUELLER (right), a member of the courthouse committee, takes notes during a tour with Richard Sternadori.

Richard Sternadori, an instructor with the Disabilities and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) of the Great Plains region (ADA Center for short), said he was conducting the preliminary examination of the courthouse free of charge since his office is a branch of the federal government. He expected to complete his report within two weeks and present it to the committee studying county needs.
“Our role is consulting and technical assessment, anything to do with architectural issues, seeing how it does or doesn’t comply with ADA requirements,” said Sternadori.
He said conditions at the county courthouse here is no different than others across the state. “We’re seeing it all over Missouri,” he said. “It’s not uncommon. They’re old buildings. Two stories tall. No elevators. Ramps which don’t meet standards. Bathrooms that are too small.”
Or, are located in the basement.
He noted measurements he took were done quickly simply to see if door openings were even close to ADA standards. Most were — but some only barely.
He asked several of the county’s elected officials about the types of services they provide. He noted several counter tops were too high for a person in a wheelchair to reach to conduct business. A small main-floor courtroom could be used, he noted, if a disabled witness or defendant, was unable to climb the stairs to the main courtroom on the second floor.
During a brief visit to the second floor, Sternadori noted a complete tour of the facility would not be possible for a disabled student or adult. Students from both county high schools were taking a tour that morning for Government Day activities, he noted. “Giving a tour is a service,” he said during a follow up discussion on Tuesday. “They could end that service and thereby end their obligations to the federal enforcement of that law.”
But, he noted, that would be a harsh measure. He told the committee he would prepare a report showing them how to make the building more compliant should a major renovation be undertaken.