For many California small businesses, the issue of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act is tricky. For some small operations, ensuring that a facility or a website is accessible can be a stressful and costly venture. However, failure to meet certain ADA standards can expose your business to the possibility of fines and lawsuits.
You understand the importance of ensuring that your company meets these standards, but maybe it’s been awhile since you’ve reviewed the law and your property. One California city is taking steps to bring older facilities up to code and ensure all public spaces meet the demands of the most recent standards. This effort can serve as an important reminder for you to do the same for your small business.
New standards mean new complications
The city of Santa Clara is initiating a new program that will involve all of its public facilities, buildings and spaces. One reason for this is due to the fact that the completion of structures and buildings took place over many years, and ADA guidelines have seen many changes during this time. Older buildings may not meet the newest standards, and the city believes that this effort is necessary to ensure that disabled residents have equal access.
You may wonder what this means for you and your business. What Santa Clara is doing can serve as a reminder of what you may need to do – look carefully at your building and bring certain things up to the newest standards. Some of these things may include:
- Your website
- Parking lot
- Ramp to enter the building
- Bathroom facilities
- Sidewalks and pathways
ADA compliance can be complicated, and it’s not always simple to identify changes you need to make. Unfortunately, businesses may face legal complications resulting from ADA compliance issues of which they were completely unaware.
Reducing the chance of a lawsuit
Business owners often find it beneficial to work with a lawyer who understands the law and knows how to protect a business by explaining ADA compliance issues and fighting back against a lawsuit. The ADA exists to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities, but you also have the right to shield the financial and legal interests of your company.
If you are unsure of where to start or you are facing threats of litigation, it can be helpful to start with a complete evaluation of your case. Seeking counsel can help you navigate existing challenges and avoid potential ones down the road.