Wmoyer may not meet ADA requirements for people with disabilities
Wmoyer is a disability law firm, but like any private business, it must follow the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you cannot access their office, website, or services because of a disability, that is a legal problem on their end, not yours. You have options: you can report the barrier, request a reasonable accommodation, or find a different lawyer who is already set up to work with you.
The ADA requires private businesses to remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities from using their services. For a law firm, this means physical access to the office, accessible communication (like interpreters or materials in large print), and a website you can navigate if you use assistive technology. If Wmoyer is not meeting these requirements, you do not have to work around it—you can push back or move on.
Key Takeaways
- Private law firms must follow the ADA, which means they have to make their services accessible to people with disabilities or explain why they cannot.
- Common barriers include offices without wheelchair access, no video relay service for deaf clients, websites that screen readers cannot read, and staff who refuse to communicate in writing.
- You can request a specific accommodation directly from Wmoyer, and they must respond within a reasonable time—usually a few days to a week.
- If Wmoyer refuses or ignores your request, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division or your state's disability rights organization.
- You are not obligated to work with a lawyer who cannot serve you; finding one who is already accessible saves time and frustration.
What counts as an accessibility barrier at a law firm
A barrier is anything that stops you from using the firm's services because of your disability. For someone using a wheelchair, it might be stairs with no ramp or an elevator that does not work. For someone who is deaf, it might be no video relay service or no captioning during phone calls. For someone who is blind, it might be a website with images that have no text descriptions, or staff who will not read documents aloud.
Some barriers are obvious. Others are less so. If Wmoyer requires you to sign documents in person but offers no way for you to do that remotely, that is a barrier. If their intake form is only on paper and you need it in digital format to use screen reader software, that is a barrier. If they will only communicate by phone and you need email or text because you are hard of hearing, that is a barrier.
The ADA does not require a business to do something impossible or to fundamentally change what it does. But it does require them to find a way to let you use their services unless doing so would cause them genuine hardship. For most law firms, that hardship threshold is high.
How to request an accommodation from Wmoyer
Start by telling Wmoyer directly what you need. Call their office, send an email, or ask in person. Be specific: "I use a wheelchair and your office entrance has steps. I need a ramp or an alternative entrance" is better than "your office is not accessible." Give them a clear picture of what would let you work with them.
Wmoyer does not have to grant every request, but they do have to consider it and respond. They might offer you an alternative—for example, if their office truly cannot be modified, they might offer to meet you at an accessible location or conduct all business by video call. They might provide an interpreter, accept documents in a different format, or adjust their process in some other way. The point is that they have to try.
Keep a record of what you asked for and when. Write it down, send it by email if possible, or follow up a phone call with an email that says "Just to confirm, I asked for [X] on [date]." This creates a paper trail. If Wmoyer later says they never heard your request, you have proof.
What to do if Wmoyer refuses or ignores your request
If Wmoyer says no without a good reason, or if they straightforward ignore you, you have the right to file a complaint. The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division handles ADA complaints against private businesses. You can file online at their website or by mail. There is no cost, and you do not need a lawyer to file.
You can also contact your state's disability rights organization. Every state has one—it is a nonprofit that investigates complaints about disability discrimination for free. They can often move faster than the federal government and may be able to pressure Wmoyer to change without a formal legal case.
Filing a complaint does not mean you are suing Wmoyer. It means you are reporting that they broke the law. The government agency then investigates. If they find a violation, they can order Wmoyer to fix it. If Wmoyer still refuses, then a lawsuit becomes an option—but most firms comply once they know the government is looking.
Finding a disability lawyer who is already accessible
Rather than spend weeks trying to get Wmoyer to accommodate you, it often makes more sense to find a lawyer who is already set up to serve people with disabilities. Some firms have this built into how they work. They offer video consultations, accept documents in multiple formats, have interpreters on staff or on call, and have accessible offices.
When you contact a new firm, ask directly: "Can we do this by video call?" "Can you accept documents as PDFs?" "Do you have experience working with people who use screen readers?" A firm that says yes without hesitation is probably a better fit than one that treats your needs as a special request.
Your state bar association or your state's disability rights organization can point you toward lawyers who specialize in disability law and have accessibility built in. Legal aid societies in your area may also have lawyers who are experienced with accessibility and can take your case for free or low cost if you meet their income limits.
Your rights under the ADA
The ADA is a federal law that has been in place since 1990. It applies to all private businesses, including law firms. Wmoyer cannot refuse to work with you because of your disability, and they cannot charge you extra for an accommodation. They also cannot retaliate against you for asking for one—meaning they cannot refuse to represent you or treat you worse because you reported them.
You have the right to communicate in the way that works for you. You have the right to access their office and their services. You have the right to the same quality of legal representation as anyone else. These are not favors or special treatment—they are legal requirements.
If you are already a client of Wmoyer and they are not meeting these requirements, you can still file a complaint. You can also ask to end your relationship with them without penalty. Do not feel obligated to stay with a lawyer who cannot serve you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a law firm charge me extra for an accommodation?
No. The ADA prohibits charging for reasonable accommodations. If Wmoyer says they will represent you but only if you pay extra for an interpreter or accessible format, that is illegal. Report it to the Department of Justice or your state disability rights organization.
What if Wmoyer says they cannot afford to make their office accessible?
Cost alone is not a valid reason to refuse an accommodation. However, if the cost would be so high that it would fundamentally change the business, they may not have to do it. But for most accommodations—like providing documents in large print, using email instead of phone calls, or meeting by video—cost is not a barrier. Push back and ask what specifically they cannot do and why.
Do I have to tell Wmoyer about my disability to get an accommodation?
You do not have to disclose your diagnosis, but you do have to explain what you need. You might say "I need all communication by email because I am deaf" without saying anything else about your disability. You control how much you share.
How long does it take to file a complaint with the Department of Justice?
You can file online in about 15 minutes. The investigation itself can take months. If you need a lawyer quickly, filing a complaint does not stop you from finding a different firm in the meantime.
What if I already signed a contract with Wmoyer?
You can still ask for accommodations and file a complaint. If Wmoyer refuses to accommodate you, you may have grounds to end the contract without penalty. Consult with another lawyer about your specific situation, or contact your state disability rights organization for guidance.