ADA Regulations to Follow So You Don't Face a Lawsuit
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) designates rules and regulations for the populace to follow to make facilities more accessible for individuals with disabilities. The ADA has grown increasingly critical as America's inhabitants' age, and the number of individuals living with disabilities persists to increase. This means property owners will need to be even more conscious of their obligations under the law and what offenses could usher them into legal jeopardy. This post from our experts on paving in Fredericksburg, TX, will highlight a few standard ADA regulations business owners should follow to avoid being sued.
Parking Signage
Whether it is your front lawn, an office facility's lobby, or any company signage out there, individuals with disabilities should readily be able to notice them all. But unfortunately, some businesses choose not to concede to these rules, which is why it's essential to understand what constitutes a good sign when developing one yourself.
Signs must include lettering that is between five and seven inches.
They cannot be in any form deceptive or challenging to read. Font size should also observe the same rules as noted above and include an explanation of what's at each site, for example, "front office" rather than just "office." Using improper language on signage, including "handicap parking" rather than the ADA-approved term "accessible parking," can generate some serious problems for your company. High-contrast color between the background and letters is also promoted, so signage doesn't blend, forming an illegible format instead of clear communication for ADA compliance.
ADA Striping
Line striping in parking areas and accessible parking spaces are sometimes mismanaged. For example, the lines should be wide enough so that a wheelchair can effortlessly fit within them and be evenly spaced, so there is no perplexity about where individuals are allowed to park. Often, these policies are not observed, and as a consequence, individuals with disabilities have to struggle to get in and out of their automobiles.
New ADA Guidelines for Stairs
The design must be constructed with stairs that are at least 36 inches wide, and handrails should advance at least one foot beyond each stair, all of which help guarantee that every individual who enters the building can utilize it appropriately. In addition, the new policies call for low-set handrails on both sides of the stairs so wheelchairs can fit beneath them if required.
Doors
A door that isn't compliant with ADA standards may be too slim for a person in a wheelchair to operate, and even entrances that can open wide enough may have hazardous thresholds or other dangerous entryway elements. So the new guidelines call for rounded door entryways, so they don't pose trip dangers and automatic openers on both sides of each accessible entrance.
Is your commercial parking area ADA compliant? If not, contact our experts on paving in Fredericksburg, TX, immediately. We have plenty of experience managing the most challenging outdoor renovations and delivering turnkey resolutions to ensure you follow ADA standards and regulations. Call us today for a free estimate.