Business owners in general don’t usually prioritize being completely ADA compliant. They may install a wheelchair ramp to help people with disabilities enter their building, but other accessibility concerns go unresolved. Whether you’ve received a complaint from a customer or an organization about not being ADA compliant or if you’re just interested in making your business more accessible, following the ADA standards can help you achieve your goals. Here are some of the simple, yet sometimes overlooked, factors that can make your business ADA compliant.
Accessible Parking Areas
Depending on where your establishment is, parking may be a challenge for your customers. And if it’s difficult for a person without disabilities, it will be especially difficult for a person with limited mobility. Start by making designated handicapped parking spaces that are wider than a normal parking space. Have a wheelchair ramp nearby so the person can easily get from the street-level to the sidewalk without putting themselves in danger of other vehicles. Be sure to mark the spaces clearly and enforce them by not allowing anyone to park there unless they have a physical disability.
No Architectural Barriers
Architectural barriers may be more widespread in older buildings that were built before the ADA went into effect. These barriers may include steps, narrow walkways, poor restroom layouts, high counters and tables and more. When removing architectural barriers, start with the outside of your building. Install a wheelchair ramp where necessary and even a vertical platform lift if it’s appropriate. If you have stairs inside the building, a stair lift is a great accessibility device to help people safely navigate the stairs if an elevator is not present. Once you take care of the basic elements, you can move to other areas like walkways and restrooms to make them wider and easier to navigate for people in wheelchairs and scooters.
Easily-Accessible Entrances
The small step that’s just a few inches high to get into your building may not seem like a big deal, but it can be a concern for people with mobility limitations. Sometimes a simple threshold ramp can make a huge difference so a person with a disability won’t have to lift their feet as high to enter the building. And if you’re planning on installing a wheelchair ramp, be sure to have a professional install it so the proper steepness is used to be ADA compliant. Finally, you can also consider using a vertical platform lift to make entering your building easy for people in a wheelchair or scooter.
Next Day Access is here to help businesses by offering everything from wheelchair ramps to vertical platform lifts and stair lifts to bathroom safety solutions. Becoming ADA compliant sounds like a lot of work to some business owners, but it’s often more affordable and easier than they think. When you take small steps over time to make your business ADA compliant, everyone can have a greater experience when visiting it. Don’t hesitate to contact us at any time to schedule a free assessment and see how we can help you reach ADA compliance in your business.
