Home Improvement

Building Home Improvement, ADA Compliance Check List

When refurbishing an old building or repurposing an existing space, it’s important to keep ADA compliance in mind. There are many details to cross-check, but it helps to keep the big ideas of the Department of Justice Title III regulations in mind.

Entrance Access

Your customers or clients must be able to get into the building without hindrances such as steps or small doorways. Correct these obstacles by providing at least one ramped entrance and wide doorway. In addition to width, installing automatic doors New York will enable those with various disabilities (whether permanent or short-term) to enter the building without having to wait for someone to open the door.

Product Access

Consider the heights of your counters and displays so that all patrons of your business have reasonable access to most of your products and services. Display important information at various levels and in large enough type that those in wheelchairs or scooters will be able to read it. Aisles must be wide enough for wheelchair and scooter maneuverability.

Toilet Access

Some businesses provide several types of stalls in the bathrooms while others only have a single ADA compliant restroom. There are numerous factors to take into consideration including how a customer with a disability would be able to open the door or turn on the water. Hindrances such as high doorway thresholds should be mitigated. Bathroom stall grab bars should be installed.

Water Fountain Access

If you plan to provide water fountains in your building, make sure at least one has clear floor space around it. In addition, take into consideration the appropriate height of the fountain and water stream for a person in a wheelchair. On buttons should be operable for those with limited wrist movement or without a strong grasp.

There are many rules and regulations that go into making a building ADA compliant. Keep the big ideas in mind as you design your new space.