The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted in 1990. All business buildings subsequently built must comply with the code. Owners of older buildings must make adjustments to fall in line, removing all barriers that are ”readily achievable and easily accomplished without much difficulty or expense.”
An ADA contractor versed in ADA compliance can help you to interpret this requirement. What does ‘readily achievable’ actually mean? There will be interpretation differences between a mom-and-pop store and a stock-exchange-listed company. ADA compliance is typically evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Regulators or an ADA consultant consider the current property access points, the feasibility of bringing the building to code, and where it would be cost-punitive.
Briefly, ADA covers everything from the width of disabled-accessible parking spots to the sink height and width of the bathrooms’ stall doors. It sets how many parking bays must comply. ADA compliance may affect your paving choice, the number of ramps you need, and the building (and parking) design. Oddly, many ADA code violations originate with non-compliant parking lots. It’s worth working with an experienced general contractor to ensure outdoor facility compliance. Asphalt paving on ramps, for example, must be correctly installed for full ADA compliance.
