ADA Compliance -

Why Bother?

ADA Compliance

Reasons for Accessibility


  • Legal Compliance: Ensuring your business meets the law helps avoid potential fines and legal issues.
  • Customer Base: About 20% of West Virginia's population has a disability, representing a significant market of potential customers.
  • Aging Population: Older adults benefit from accessible features and often prefer businesses that provide them.
  • Informed Customers: Many savvy consumers research a business's accessibility before deciding to visit.
  • Cost-Effective Solutions: Most accessibility improvements require minimal investment but can make a big difference in attracting customers.


Making your business accessible is not just the right thing to do; it can also boost your customer base and enhance your reputation!

Common Accessibility Mistakes


Here are some common mistakes to avoid when it comes to accessibility:


  1. Access Routes
  • Width: Ensure pathways are wide enough for wheelchairs and walkers.
  • Slope: Maintain gentle slopes; steep ramps can be difficult to navigate.
  • Access: Make sure all areas are reachable without barriers.
  • Barriers: Remove obstacles that block pathways, like furniture or displays.


2. Access to Goods

  • Signage: Use clear signs to guide customers to accessible areas.
  • Aisle Clearance: Keep aisles free of clutter for easy navigation.
  • Counters: Ensure counters are at accessible heights.
  • Flooring: Use non-slip flooring to prevent accidents.




3. Bathrooms

  • Access: Ensure restrooms are easy to enter and exit.
  • Height of Fixtures: Install sinks and toilets at appropriate heights for all users.
  • Grab Bars: Provide grab bars for safety and support.
  • Floor Space: Ensure enough room for maneuvering a wheelchair.


4. Entrances

  • Signage: Use clear signs to indicate accessible entrances.
  • Door Handles & Swings: Install easy-to-use handles and ensure doors swing open easily.
  • Door Openings: Make sure doorways are wide enough for wheelchairs.
  • Thresholds: Keep thresholds low to avoid tripping hazards.


5. Parking

  • Number of Spaces: Provide enough accessible parking spaces.
  • Clear Access & Path: Ensure there are clear paths from parking spaces to entrances.
  • Van Accommodation: Include spaces designed for van accessibility, with enough height and space.๏ปฟ

                                       By addressing these common mistakes, you can create a more accessible environment for everyone!


What is an Accessibility Survey?


An Accessibility Survey is a thorough on-site review of all the public spaces in your company.


Our survey team will:

  • Identify Issues: Find elements that do not meet the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design and other important guidelines.
  • Prioritize Changes: Rank the removal of barriers based on Department of Justice guidelines to ensure the most critical issues are addressed first.
  • Suggest Solutions: Provide simple and cost-effective recommendations to fix common accessibility problems.
  • Categorize Needs: Differentiate between elements that need immediate attention and those that can be upgraded during future renovations.
  • Deliver a Report: Give you a detailed report of our findings along with solutions to improve accessibility in your space.


This survey helps ensure that your public areas are accessible to everyone!