Are you building a new commercial property or updating your current one? There are many factors to consider, and ADA compliance should be one of them. It is essential that your building be up-to-code to accommodate any employees, customers, or visitors with disabilities. Otherwise, your business could face discrimination charges.
Are you in Rochester, NY, or the surrounding areas and need assistance with ADA-compliant construction? Contact Mission Health + Home today!
What is ADA Compliance?
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that any business that serves the general public make “reasonable accommodations” for disabled individuals. The act, enacted in 1990, states that any building built after that date must comply with ADA’s code. Any properties built ahead of 1990 must do everything in their power to remove potential barriers.
Who Does the ADA Protect?
There are three categories of individuals with disabilities:
- Individuals who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
- Individuals who have a record of a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the individual’s major life activities
- Individuals who are regarded as having an impairment that is not minor and transitory, whether they have the impairment or not, and are the subject of adverse action because of that perceived impairment
How to Make Your Commercial Property ADA Compliant
It is essential to consider the ADA when constructing or renovating your commercial property. Failure to do so is considered discrimination and could result in lost customers, lawsuits, and fines. An ADA-compliant building could save your employees, your customers, and your business.
Below are some accommodations to make your business more accessible for those with disabilities. Visit the U.S. Access Board website to view the complete guide and ADA regulations.3
Doorways and Desks
- 32” wide doorways to fit wheelchairs & mobility devices
- Push-to-open buttons for doors heavier than five pounds
- 27” inch high desks to fit mobility devices
- Reception desks no higher than 36” inches
Bathrooms
- Toilet seats that sit between 17”-19” high
- Designated handicap stall
- Grab bars within stalls
- Sinks with 30’’ by 48’’ access
Wheelchair Ramps & Elevators
Any commercial building must include accommodations for wheelchairs and other mobility devices like scooters. If the building’s entrance has stairs, a wheelchair ramp must be installed as an alternative entry. If the building has multiple floors, elevators or stairlifts should be installed. Additionally, the elevators should be wide enough to easily fit mobility devices.
Choose Mission Health + Home
From the parking lot down to the bathroom, there are many accommodations to consider when building a commercial property. The building should be designed to serve not just your employees but the general public, and any negligence could result in hefty fines. Worried that your building may not be up-to-code? That’s what we’re here for.
If you are in Rochester, NY, or the surrounding areas, choose the experts at Mission Health + Home to assist with your commercial construction project. We are well-versed in ADA regulations and will ensure your property is compliant and accommodating to the latest mobility technology. Contact us today to learn more!