How to Make Your Business ADA Compliant
In the US, an estimated 13% of the total residents are living with a disability. That’s over 50 million individuals as per the recent reports by CDC.
One of the prevailing laws that protect people living with disabilities is The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA policy covers all requirements for making a business place or system suitable for people with disabilities. While ADA regulations have been here for long, many business owners still don’t understand how to comply with it.
Any business person has to create a comfortable and accessible environment both for disabled workers and customers. Complying with ADA demands isn’t just about the legality that comes with it; it is also about boosting business value.
Here are some tips that you can use to comply with ADA requirements at your business place.
Avoid Disability Assumptions
As mentioned above, over 13 % of US citizens are living with disabilities. But out of this number, 80% live with a hidden disability. Disabilities aren’t always noticeable from first sight. As a business owner, you must understand that every possible employee could be having an invisible disability. Some people may have a mental or physical disorder that you can’t see.
The ADA requirements protect every disabled person regardless of whether the condition is visible or not. If your workers or clients mention any physical or mental limitation, attend to them as per the ADA rules defined by the state. To be on the better side, don’t Ignore any employee’s disorder, even if it is invisible.
Accessibility of Fertility
Accessibility of the business premise is an essential component of the ADA requirements. If you do not have an accessible entrance and exit, you will scare away many disabled customers.
You can create a barrier-free entrance that has enough space for a wheelchair. Also, eliminate the stairs that lead to a higher Floor and replace them with other alternatives such as elevators. Remember, any minor obstacles can discourage people with disabilities from coming to your business place.
Train employees to help people with disabilities
You can’t ignore disabled employees or customers simply because they are different. If anything, many of these people turn out to be sufficiently skillful and productive. It would help if you considered training individual workers who can chip in and help the disabled where necessary.
Alternatively, you can organize a general training of all workers on how they can help disabled colleagues or clients. Make your employees aware of ADA regulations plus moral and ethical rules. Let them know that every disabled person must have fair treatment with dignity and respect without any form of discrimination.
Install ADA Compliant Sinks
A sink is an essential requirement for any business, especially around washrooms. It is necessary to maintain hygiene at your business premises. So, better if you install suitable sinks for persons with disabilities. The sinks should be accessible by people in wheelchairs or those with limited movement capability. Many of such tubs have great designs to meet the standard clearance, high and depth as per ADA requirements. There are many decent, comfortable, and safer designs of ADA compliant sinks in the market.
Permit service animals
The ADA laws clearly show that only dogs can be used as service animals. You should not restrict any disabled person from carrying the best friend with them. Pets are a good source of emotional support for many people with disorders.
However, you should ensure that the animals provide a service that’s related to the disability of the person. For instance, a visually impaired person can be allowed to use an animal to help them stay out of danger.
Ensuring that your business is totally in compliance with ADA laws can be difficult. But it’s crucial to comply with the requirements to avoid possible charges and to create a suitable environment for the disabled. By following the procedures discussed above, you can ensure that your industry meets ADA requirements.
