How to Make Your Facility ADA Compliant
Are you planning on building a new facility for your business? Or maybe you’re simply looking to update and renovate an existing facility that’s on the market? Either way, one thing you want to consider as you go about construction is making sure that your facility is ADA compliant.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) first went into effect on January 26, 1992, and has undoubtedly been helping in providing disabled people with more access and hospitality to public places across the United States. So, if you’re in the process of creating the plans for a new building, then it’s important to consider certain steps you need to take to ensure that your facility is ADA compliant.
Some Common ADA Violations to Avoid
One way to make sure that you don’t make the same mistake that a lot of facilities have made in terms of their plans and designs is by having a look at some of the common mistakes and issues that occur in terms of ADA violations. That said, here is a short list of the most common ADA facility violations.
● Building entrances and exits are inaccessible
● Incorrect ramp height into building and/or curb
● Lack of ADA signage
● Incorrect ADA signage
● No area for drop-offs
● No parking access
● Inaccessible restroom facilities
● Staff are unaware of proper communication protocols and policies
That said, there are a couple of ways to make sure that you don’t end up committing some of these violations.
1. Install Ramps At Entrances Instead of Stairs
The easiest and fastest way to make your building or facility more accessible and ADA compliant is simply by replacing or removing any stairs or steps and replacing them with a ramp instead. Even a single step can be a deterrent for someone on a wheelchair, for example, and so providing ramps with a shallow slope is the best way to make sure that you avoid this violation.
Of course, not all entrances need to be accessible or have ramps. However, should a particular entrance or exit be inaccessible for those with mobility limitations, then these entrances should have the proper signage pointing to the entrance that is accessible.
2. Make Sure to Include ADA Compliant Signage in Every Possible Instance
Entrance and exit signs with Braille are a good example of what may be lacking in some facilities in terms of signage. It’s important, as well, to make sure that these signs are at a correct height. Updating all your existing signs in Braille is also a good idea, especially all emergency and safety signs.
There are a couple of other guidelines you need to follow when it comes to providing the proper Braille signage in your facility. It’s not as simple as putting up an exit sign with Braille on each exit. If you’re not sure what these guidelines are, or what they mean, you can simply acquire ADA compliant Braille signs from a company like Braille Sign Pros to lessen your headache.
3. Designate Parking Spaces and an Include Drop-Off Areas in Your Building Plans
Lastly, make sure to always include a designated parking space for disabled employees, customers, and clients. One rule of thumb you can follow is to have 1 handicapped-accessible parking spot for every 25 or less parking spaces. Each designated parking spot must also be marked with the international symbol of accessibility, and these designated parking spaces should be situated closest to a wheelchair-accessible entrance, with ramp access that’s at an acceptable slope.
It’s also important to always brief, train, and update your staff on proper communication protocols, and how they can best serve any disabled person that enters your facility. Allowing service animals, for example, is one thing that your staff should be made aware of, especially if your facility is particularly strict about not allowing pets inside.
All in all, it’s important to be able to create an environment that’s inclusive for everyone that visits and plans to visit your facility. If you’re not sure what else you need to do to make sure that your building is ADA compliant, you can consult the resources that they have available on their website.