Not only is keeping your company compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act the legal and moral thing to do in California, but it makes good business sense. A welcoming environment including wide aisles, ramps or step-free entrances and security alarms that can be seen and heard will be beneficial to customers and clients.
The Americans with Disabilities Act
The law ensures that Americans with disabilities have the same access to enjoy and be a part of everyday life as those without disabilities. There are five major parts to this act including employment, state and local government, public accommodations, telecommunications and miscellaneous issues.
If you own a business, your responsibilities will fall under public accommodations and include removing obstacles or barriers that make equal treatment for disabled persons impossible. Additionally, signage in your business must be ADA compliant.
What types of signage are required by the ADA?
You must have signs that are both tactile and visible, or you can place one of each type of sign next to each other. Tactile signs include Braille signage. There are specific rules as to how large the dots should be and how they should be shaped.
Visual signs have a few more requirements, including the type of font used, the thickness of certain letters and the spacing between characters. They must be in high contrast to the background and have non-glare finishes.
Businesses that must comply with ADA law include any place that is considered a public accommodation. This includes hotels, restaurants, amusement parks, gyms, retail stores, bus stops, convention centers and stadiums. Types of ADA required signs in these facilities include restroom signs and exit signs. If restrooms are not accessible, then directional signs to accessible restrooms must also be displayed.
About 20% of all Americans live with some type of disability, which may not always be visible. Knowing the ADA requirements and rules allows your company to remain accessible to a wider range of people.