Trying to comply with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards can involve extra work and expense.
However, compliance with this law is not just an option but a necessity for several vital reasons.
Why is ADA important?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a regulation ensuring that public accommodations are accessible to all people, regardless of ability.
This landmark law in the United States is enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
The ADA comprises five Titles. Title I addresses employment, applying to private employers and state/local government agencies with 15 or more employees.
Title II covers public entities, including state and local government services, while Title III pertains to public accommodation, specifically commercial facilities.
Businesses, both old and new, that provide goods or services are considered places of public accommodation and must adhere to the ADA.
This law benefits everyone, not just individuals with disabilities.
Here are ten reasons why facilities should be ADA compliant:
The ADA is the Law
The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal law designed to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination.
The U.S. Department of Justice sets the accessibility standards for ADA compliance.
They monitor all businesses to ensure compliance with accessible design requirements, meaning these standards apply to you if you offer goods and services in the United States.
If a person with a disability believes your services are not accessible, they can file a complaint that may lead to legal action.
Public entities found in violation of ADA standards by the DOJ can face penalties up to $150,000.
It Helps You Get and Keep Customers
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that nearly one in five people live with some form of disability.
Additionally, according to The Association of People Supporting Employment First, customers with disabilities and their families represent a market segment exceeding $3 trillion.
Ignoring such a large and significant potential customer base would be a strategic oversight.
Aging Population
The disability community is not only large but also growing.
Advances in medical technology lead to increased life expectancy, allowing more people to recover and thrive from chronic conditions.
Consequently, more individuals will require the accommodations protected by the ADA.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that by 2020, 157 million Americans will be living with a chronic illness.
Word of Mouth Advertising
The disability community is often very close-knit, as individuals with similar challenges tend to connect.
If one person with a disability has a positive experience with a site, they are likely to encourage others to become customers.
Many individuals with disabilities use apps like the AXS map to find ratings and opinions about specific locations.
In the digital age, information travels rapidly online, and the public is eager for information.
You can leverage this scrutiny to your advantage by embracing accessibility design, or risk significant negative exposure if your site is inaccessible to some individuals.
Socially Responsible Companies Are More Attractive
A 2015 survey by Cone Communications revealed that 81 percent of consumers are willing to make personal sacrifices to support socially responsible businesses.
Companies that demonstrate a commitment to their community build consumer trust.
This means that even customers who do not require accommodations will appreciate your efforts toward accessibility.
By adhering to ADA standards, you not only expand your customer base but also use the ADA to your brand's advantage.
Some stores even display signs indicating they are an ADA-compliant facility, informing the public of their commitment.
Tax Write-Offs and Financial Assistance
The ADA not only establishes standards but also provides resources to help meet those goals.
The more you strive for ADA compliance, the greater the financial assistance you can receive, reducing the likelihood of an ADA violation.
The Internal Revenue Service offers a Disabled Access Credit (section 44) to help offset the costs associated with meeting accessibility standards.
You can deduct up to $15,000 per year for these efforts, making compliance considerably more affordable.
Often Fairly Inexpensive
Achieving 100% ADA compliance is challenging, but striving to meet the ADA's requirements should be an ongoing process for everyone.
The DOJ itself acknowledges that guidelines must adapt to changing times, as demonstrated by the publication of the 2010 ADA Standards of Accessible Design.
These updated accessibility standards apply to both existing and new businesses, even those that had previously complied with older guidelines after the ADA's initial passing.
Through the 2010 Standards, the DOJ aimed to simplify ADA compliance by relaxing some requirements and offering facilities more flexibility in adherence.
There is Room for Creativity
As a business owner, you likely know from experience that problems often have multiple solutions.
Your business may not require a complete overhaul to become accessible.
Instead, you can look for quick adjustments that create a significant positive impact.
Simple changes like adjusting layouts, removing items from high shelves, or installing a ramp can contribute to ADA compliance at minimal cost.
In the digital age, it is increasingly accepted that ADA standards apply to web content as well.
Websites offering services to the general public must ensure their web content adheres to accessibility standards.
The DOJ has even clarified its position, stating that "This interpretation is consistent with the ADA's Title III requirements..."
While specific WCAG 2.0 website guidelines have not yet been formally adopted, this provides websites with time to adapt to the challenges of web accessibility.
Communities Benefit When Everyone Can Participate
Before the ADA's passage, millions of people with disabilities often encountered barriers that hindered their ability to fully participate in life.
Individuals with disabilities were frequently isolated and excluded from everyday activities, unable to engage in society or access public facilities.
This exclusion deprived society of their unique wisdom, smiles, and kind words.
By being open to individuals of all abilities, an ADA-compliant business empowers people with disabilities to enrich the lives of everyone, including your customers and employees.
Answers are Easy to Find
Today, information about ADA standards is readily available online, often at no cost.
However, simply reading text is not always enough to gain a comprehensive understanding of accessibility; expert opinions are often necessary to assess the accessibility level of your specific site.
With the assistance of ADA Compliance Professionals, you can thoroughly evaluate your facilities and ensure they align with the guidelines clearly outlined in the ADA Small Business Guide.
A Certified Access Specialist will carefully inspect your facilities.
They will then provide you with a form detailing appropriate modifications needed in your design.