Dallas, Texas, July 31, 2023: The Next Day Access located in Celina, Texas installs the very first commercial FlexStep for a local church with the help of Liftup North America. This installation raises awareness of the importance of making businesses more accessible. It offers a simple solution that enables both wheelchair users and pedestrians to move between two levels with ease.
The FlexStep, created and produced by Liftup, is a unique 2-in-1 solution that saves space by combining both a flight of stairs and a separate lift. Liftup develops and markets welfare technology products for people with disabilities. Their goal is to help people with mobility disabilities to have the same opportunities as everyone else.
The key features of the FlexStep include:
Built with Safety as a Priority: FlexStep has many safety features built in ensuring an optimized safety. The safety door and barriers prevent falling, and four intelligent, synchronized motors, one at each corner, ensure a smooth and safe movement between levels. The safety features give customers a peace of mind and confidence in operation.
Flexibility with Product Customization: The FlexStep offers lots of customization options giving customers the flexibility to match existing aesthetics or the ability to choose something complementary. Customizable options include the finish material, color, installation configuration and more.
Space Efficient Stairlift and Platform: This clever 2-in-1 stairlift and steps solution gives you both stairs and a platform lift even in the tightest places. The product can be configured as a flight of stairs, and then be transformed quickly into a platform lift at the touch of a button.
Next Day Access Dallas-Celina and Liftup North America partnered together to successfully install the first commercial FlexStep in the Dallas, Texas area.
“Liftup North America is happy to partner with Next Day Access, knowing that our work together helps people with mobility issues reach new heights,” said Michael Casner, Business Development Manager.
“We are thrilled about our business relationship with Liftup as we recently partnered with them for a commercial FlexStep with our client, Custer Road United Methodist Church, making this the first commercial FlexStep installed in the Dallas area,” said Brien Caldwell, Vice President of Next Day Access Dallas-Celina. “The level of customer service and support has been phenomenal from the beginning. We are excited for the church as this FlexStep will allow its congregants with mobility challenges to access the stage with ease.”
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About Next Day Access Next Day Access is a local provider for accessibility and mobility solutions for homes and commercial businesses. With over 30 franchise locations across the United States and Canada, their goal is to help aging loved ones and people with limited mobility and disabilities live safely, comfortably, and independently in their homes. Learn more by visiting nextdayaccess.com.
There are many reasons to install a commercial wheelchair ramp at your business’ entrance. Here we will list 5 reasons that we think are important to consider.
There is a good chance you know at least one of the more than 35 million adults or 53,000 children living with mobility disabilities or limitations in the United States. People in this population experience moderate to significant difficulties when walking or climbing the stairs. They may or may not use assistive devices like walkers, wheelchairs, or scooters.
If you operate a business that is open to the public, you might wonder whether or not your building is physically accessible. Physical accessibility involves removing any barriers that would limit or eliminate access to your goods or services. The truth is, your business is only as accessible as your entrance. A single step can stop people from entering your business!
If there are barriers to your external environment–including access routes and entry points–your business cannot be a welcoming place for all. To assess the physical accessibility of your external environment, consider the following questions:
Between your entrance and the parking lot or street, will visitors avoid slopes, unevenness, or other topographical limitations?
Is your access route a safe and convenient distance for people with ambulatory disabilities or mobility limitations?
Will wheelchair users find your access route and entry points wide enough?
Does your entrance have an accessible alternative to stairs?
If you answered “no” to any of the above, you can benefit from installing a commercial wheelchair ramp. Wheelchair ramps provide people of diverse ages, abilities, and sizes with safe building access. Ramps can be rented for temporary purposes, or purchased for permanent or semi-permanent use.
To schedule a free onsite consultation, contact your local accessibility experts at Next Day Access. We’ll help you to identify potential safety issues or installation challenges. You’ll also receive recommendations for the best product and design options to meet your needs.
Still undecided? Read on and discover 5 reasons to install a commercial wheelchair ramp.
1. Comply with the law
For businesses open to the public, accessibility is a must. It’s the law, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990–commonly referred to as the ADA. The law provides requirements for businesses to offer people with disabilities the same access as everyone else.
In particular, the ADA requires businesses to “remove architectural barriers in buildings when it is readily achievable to do so.” This requirement applies to existing buildings, as well as alterations and new construction.
Installing a commercial wheelchair ramp fulfills the ADA’s top priority recommendation for business to remove barriers. The Comprehensive Resource for the Americans with Disability Act (CORADA) lists these priorities in order:
Building access from the exterior
Interior access to goods and services
Toilet access
Remaining barriers like water bottle filling stations or drinking fountains
Installing a commercial wheelchair ramp fulfills the ADA’s top priority recommendation for businesses to remove barriers.
Take care to select a commercial wheelchair ramp that meets ADA guidelines, including:
All commercial wheelchair ramps from Next Day Access are ADA-compliant. In fact, our commercial ramp systems also meet compliance standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), International Building Code® (IBC®), and local building codes from coast to coast.
Your local accessibility experts at Next Day Access will help ensure that your commercial wheelchair ramp meets legal standards on every level. Contact us today for a free onsite consultation.
By choosing the right commercial wheelchair ramp, you can offer a safe and accessible method of entering and exiting your business. Commercial wheelchair ramps can support people of all physical abilities by protecting people from skids, slips, trips, and falls.
Safety is the smart choice for your customers and business alike. As a business owner you are legally obligated to provide a safe environment for employees, visitors, and customers. Your responsibilities extend to those with mobility disabilities or other physical limitations.
If you fail to fulfill these responsibilities, you may face costly legal consequences. Forbes Advisor Jeffrey Johnson, J.D. reports that “the median award in premises liability cases…was $90,000” in 2021. By investing in a commercial wheelchair ramp, you can improve safety and reduce the likelihood of an injury on your property.
It is very important to choose a professional installer for your commercial wheelchair ramp. Failure to choose trusted products or professionals can create safety hazards rather than reduce them. For over 25 years, Next Day Access has provided expert installation services and quality-made products to thousands of customers. We offer the most complete line of commercial wheelchair ramps available, all of which comply with safety requirements at federal, state, and local levels.
Our commercial-grade ramp systems are made in America and constructed using 100% high-grade aluminum and recycled rubber. Each product is designed for everyday, year-round use that is virtually maintenance-free.
We offer the following types of commercial wheelchair ramps for rent or purchase:
Threshold ramps provide a safe incline and surface for building entrances, curbs, or other inclines with up to six inches of clearance height.
Solid-surface modular ramps can hold up to 1,000 pounds of weight with a slip resistant surface design.
Custom ramps can combine surface textures or add powder coating to make a ramp just for you!
In addition to quality products, your local accessibility experts at Next Day Access are factory-trained. Every technician learns the correct installation process directly from ramp manufacturers, so you can trust our team to do it right!
To get started, contact us today and schedule a free onsite consultation. We’ll learn more about your needs and help to identify safety risks, installation challenges, and other accessibility considerations.
3. Commercial wheelchair ramps help visitors feel welcome
Installing a commercial wheelchair ramp conveys a good first impression to passersby. It shows that you are informed about accessibility and can welcome people with diverse physical abilities. A survey by Morspace Omnibus found that 95% of consumers say they are significantly influenced by the appearance of a business from the street. You can imagine why the accessibility of your entrance sends a clear message about who is welcome inside.
Using text messaging as a relatable example, Roy points to technology originally designed for people with disabilities that has become widely used and beneficial to people without disabilities.
While commercial wheelchair ramps serve an important function for wheelchair users, the benefits also extend to people who:
Use walkers, canes, or other assistive devices
Push strollers or visit with small children
Have mobility limitations due to age, injury, health, or other conditions
May experience difficulty when navigating icy or snowy conditions
Are able-bodied but could slip, trip, or fall on stairs or uneven ground
By showing people that you care about accessibility, you can create a welcoming design visible from the street, parking lot, or sidewalk.
Contact your local accessibility experts at Next Day Access for a free onsite consultation. We can help you choose a product and design that works best for you.
Most people know that commercial wheelchair ramps are good for consumers. Did you know that commercial wheelchair ramps can be good for business, too?
By creating a physically accessible business, you have the power to reach a more diverse customer base. Consider this: people with disabilities are the third largest market segment in the United States and have a market value worth nearly half a trillion dollars.
People with disabilities are the third largest market segment in the United States and have a market value worth nearly half a trillion dollars.
Like most people, people with disabilities want to spend their money where they are recognized and respected. According to research from Nielsen, people with disabilities “make more shopping trips, spend more per trip than the average consumer,” and practice stronger brand loyalty.
Ready to expand your market with a commercial wheelchair ramp? Contact your local accessibility experts at Next Day Access for a free consultation.
As a business owner, you likely know the importance of a good reputation. The reputation of a business depends on perceptions from consumers, and leads to tangible impacts including profitability.
Consider that people with disabilities in the U.S. live in 20 million households. The American Institutes for Research estimates that the actual market demographic for people with disabilities is double the reported size due to the purchasing influence on caregivers, family members, and neighbors who care about inclusion.
Increasingly, consumers value businesses that make an effort toward inclusion of people with disabilities. AIR reports that 78% of customers will choose to “purchase goods and services from a business that takes steps to ensure easy access for individuals with disabilities at their physical locations.”
78% of consumers will choose to “purchase goods and services from a business that takes steps to ensure easy access for individuals with disabilities at their physical location.” – American Institutes for Research
As U.S. age demographics shift toward an older population, businesses should be prepared. The Population Reference Bureau reports that 95 million people will be 65 years or older in 2060–double the population of today. This demographic is likeliest of any age group to have a mobility disability or limitation, with 2 out of every 3 people reporting difficulty walking or climbing the stairs.
In Memphis, Tennessee, beside the Mississippi River sits a bluff that has always been difficult for people with limited mobility to navigate. The bluff has a set of stairs that leads down to Riverside Drive and Tom Lee Park. This park is a great place to see beautiful sunrises and sunsets across the river. The park most recently received an excellent upgrade with many new features.
According to the Memphis Flyer, The Carlisle Corporation is bringing ADA access from the bluff in downtown Memphis to the riverfront at Tom Lee Park. The Carlisle Corporation has made a $1.5 million investment into the first Americans-with-Disabilities – accessible walkway from a bluff to a riverfront.
The new path will be named Carlisle Cutbank Bluff to memorialize the late Gene Carlisle. The Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRPP) says this is the first time in Memphis history that commercial development has been connected to the riverfront. Tyree Daniels, board chair at MRPP, says, “The Carlisle Cutbank Bluff represents the partnership’s commitment to easy, equitable access to the new park.” He continues by saying, “This beautiful new feature makes it so much easier and more fun to move between Downtown and the riverfront. It means that visitors will find it much easier to get from upstairs on Main Street down to the river in a more equitable way, and we couldn’t be more excited about this achievement, but also making this available for our community.”
Chance Carlisle, CEO of Carlisle LLC, said, “Two things really hit home for us, the ability to provide the first of its kind ADA accessibility to the park, and for the last 40 or 50 years, with the exception of maybe a month or so in May (during the Beale Street Music Festival) Tom Lee Park was sort of an afterthought, rather than a signature riverfront. It’s hard to be a great riverfront city without an excellent front door, and what Memphis River Parks has done, along with all of the donors is really give Memphians a park that we can be proud of, for all of Memphis.”
At Next Day Access, we are always thrilled when we see communities come together to help people with limited mobility interact with their communities better. Our mission at Next Day Access is very similar. Our goal is to provide anyone with limited mobility with the products they need to live a safer and more independent lifestyle. We offer several products to assist, including wheelchair ramps, vehicle lifts, wheelchairs, scooters, grab bars, in-home elevators, and more. If we can help improve your quality of life, we urge you to contact your nearest Next Day Access. We are happy to answer any questions and even schedule an in-home consultation.
On July 26, 2022, people with limited mobility celebrated the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The anniversary is still a source of pride and hope, but it does bring up the question, why are there still inaccessible businesses? Business accessibility is as relevant today as it was years ago.
A recent article in Forbes magazine written by Andrew Pulrang has this excerpt, “Accessibility is still treated like some kind of premium feature rather than a civic responsibility for businesses or a civil right for customers.”
Here are some tips on how you can improve your business’s accessibility.
Make sure parking and entering your building is convenient.
People with limited mobility who drive are far more likely to shop or eat somewhere when there is handicap parking available. Ensure the designated parking spaces are clearly labeled and at least 8 feet wide. You should also invest in a commercial wheelchair ramp. Seeing a ramp shows customers that you want them there, and that accessibility is a priority to you. At Next Day Access, we offer a variety of commercial ramps.
Make sure inside the business you have wide pathways.
People with limited mobility need more space to move. They will need enough room to walk, wheel, stop, and turn around without hitting tables or display shelves. Having an area that is cluttered and tight makes the business feel uncomfortable, even for patrons not using a wheelchair. Your layout matters as much as your décor.
Make sure restrooms are accessible for wheelchairs.
If you are hoping your customers stay for more than 30 minutes, you need to have an accessible restroom. Even if the restroom only holds one person at a time, ensure it is wide enough for a wheelchair to make turns. You should also have grab bars installed and a sink where a wheelchair can easily slide underneath so the user can reach the faucets. You can find durable and contemporary grab bars at Next Day Access.
When you make your business more accessible, your reputation and the number of customers increase. People with limited mobility remember the places in town where they can get around more easily and feel welcome. Next Day Access can help you find the best commercial ramps, grab bars, railings, and more.
Do you have members in your place of worship that face a mobility obstacle when trying to enter your establishment? What about people with limited mobility looking to find a place of worship? We are sure that your congregation, church elders, pastors, or priests would never want anyone to feel unwelcome.
Unfortunately, when you cannot enter a building, people with limited mobility sometimes cannot help but feel unwelcome. Next Day Access can help! We have built several wheelchair ramps throughout the communities we serve and can build them for your place of worship without difficulty.
Our professional wheelchair ramp installation team can provide ramps in even the most challenging spaces. We also offer various product options and will tailor our services to meet your needs. However, you also have options other than ramps that could be more convenient in specific locations.
These options include stairlifts, inclined platform lifts, or vertical platform lifts. We can assist in installing these products as well. The choice will likely depend on your budget.
If you prefer to stick with wheelchair ramps, we can get creative with the ramps since there are many different styles. The following ramps are best suited for a place of worship; there are also several types of ramps perfect for traveling or for your home.
Wheelchair Ramps at your Place of Worship
Threshold – These are smaller ramps designed to sit against the curb or the threshold of a door making it easier, once installed in the building, for people with wheelchairs to get around.
Modular Ramps – A more significant and permanent ramp. These ramps do not require a building permit because they can be taken down and reassembled at another location. The material usually is made of aluminum. Aluminum is the best material for outdoor and commercial ramps because it does not warp or rust.
Permanent Ramps – A building permit is required for these ramps because they are made of concrete or wood and cannot be moved once they are set in place. The construction time may take longer because the ramp is built on-site. Our Next Day Access team ensures that these ramps are aesthetically pleasing since they will be a permanent fixture.
At Next Day Access, we are proud of our work. We ensure that our ramps are slip-resistant, easy to access, and durable. Whether you need a ramp replaced or notice you need a ramp added to your place of worship, we are happy to assist.
Please do not hesitate to contact your nearest Next Day Access to schedule a consultation. During your consultation, we will visit your place of worship and help you determine the best ramps to use and the best locations for the ramps.
You often see automatic door openers when entering a store or commercial business. This is extremely helpful for people using wheelchairs or anyone with mobility difficulties. It is a feat to get a large, heavy, commercial door open. Now imagine trying to open it if you have a disability.
One of the top ways automatic doors benefit your business is by accommodating the needs of all who enter. Automatic doors make entering your business convenient for everyone. Automatic doors consist of hands-free sensors, which make entering easier for those needing additional assistance.
Here are a few other reasons your business needs automatic door openers:
Increases Your Security
Next Day Access offers many distinct types of automatic doors. Certain automated doors can be equipped with additional security features. One of the increased security features offered is the addition of controls or sensors which allow you to monitor who comes in and out of your property.
Conserves Energy
Automatic doors help cut back on building-wide energy usage. The automatic doors can run on low voltage, meaning they will cost you less to run over an extended period. Automatic doors are also insulated, which helps maintain your building’s internal climate. Also, since the doors are only opened when a patron walks into your business, there is less loss of heat occurring through open doors.
Safe Hygienically
Since you do not need to touch automatic doors to open them, they are easier to keep sanitary and clean. This helps to limit the spread of illnesses.
Aesthetically Appealing
Automatic doors look nice and inviting. Using automatic doors creates an aesthetically pleasing entryway into your business as it has a welcoming vibe that is good for business. You can find automatic doors that look contemporary and sleek.
Improves Business
Customers prefer to shop where it is inviting and convenient. Also, since your doors allow everyone to enter your business, you have a higher traffic flow throughout the business, equating to higher sales.
At Next Day Access, we offer several styles of automatic doors. From the standard Open Sesame Large Wireless Wall Push Pad style to the Open Sesame Model 133-an automatic door opening system for free-swinging doors. Contact your local Next Day Access to schedule a free consultation. Our experts can help you figure out the perfect automatic door openers for your business.
If you own a commercial property, you should make it accessible for everyone to enter. When creating your storefront entrance, make it accessible for individuals of different mobility levels. Creating an accessible entrance to your storefront might seem daunting. To ease those concerns, let us help you easily get an accessible entrance.
Next Day Access specializes in wheelchair ramps of all sizes. Since they are cost-effective and relatively affordable, your business would benefit from one. Here are a few wheelchair ramp designs you could choose from:
3 Ramps to Make Your Business Accessible
Big Lug Threshold Ramp
This ramp provides 42 inches of width in front of the doorway. When installing the ramp, you may choose to also install handrails for added stability. This ramp has a small footprint and works best for those using walkers or wheelchairs trying to get over the threshold.
Open Weave Ramp
This longer ramp features an open-weave surface which makes it ideal for storefronts in areas where snowy and icy conditions pose a threat. It is made entirely out of aluminum and boasts two-way traction with an astonishing 1,000-pound weight capacity.
Solid Surface Wheelchair Ramp
This signature ramp is one of our most popular ramps. This aluminum ramp offers an easily configured fit, has a 1,000-pound weight capacity, and installs in a matter of hours. Its surface is solid which provides a smooth ride.
At Next Day Access, we can have your storefront accessible ready in no time. We proudly sell, deliver, and install a wide range of commercial wheelchair ramps, among other home accessibility products. When you are ready to prepare your storefront for the public, contact us!
Many office buildings today are designed with accessibility in mind, but there are plenty of older buildings that lack in this area. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 19% of people with a disability had a job in 2018. Having a disability doesn’t mean a person can’t work in some cases, so having the resources available to them is a necessity. The good news is virtually any office building can be enhanced with various accessibility products available today. Even a simple wheelchair ramp can make a huge difference in helping people get to and from work every day a little easier. These accessibility products are the most helpful to have in any office building.
Wheelchair Ramp
A modular commercial wheelchair ramp offers great value and benefits for people with disabilities. And for commercial property owners, the modular design means it has the flexibility to be moved or altered if the building has to change structurally or physically in any way. Each commercial wheelchair ramp can be customized to fit even the most unique buildings and can be adjusted as your needs change. Business owners can make their office space much more attractive by simply offering a wheelchair ramp for easy access.
Vertical Platform Lift
A vertical platform lift can be installed directly next to stairs or other areas and allows for people to easily walk on or even roll their wheelchair on. It acts similarly to an elevator where, with a push of a button, you can get from one floor to the next without having to lift a foot. They are very safe to operate and can handle heavy weight capacities. You can make your office building even more accessible to people with different types of disabilities by offering a vertical platform lift in it.
Elevator
Residential elevators are popular home accessibility products. However, they have now begun showing up in commercial buildings as well. They are typically smaller than a regular-sized elevator, but they can be constructed as large as a full-size elevator as well. It’s a great option for an office building that may not need a large elevator, but still want to offer an option for accessibility. They are attractive options and offer a great benefit for people in wheelchairs, people who ride mobility scooters or who simply have a difficult time walking without assistance.
At Next Day Access, we offer some of the top accessibility products to help your office building look great and satisfy the needs of anyone in your office who may be disabled. Even if you don’t have a person with a disability working in your office now, it’s important to be prepared in the event a great candidate, or even a client, come across your company. We would be happy to stop by your office space and provide a free assessment, so contact us at any time to learn more about our products and solutions.
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