The Americans with Disabilities Act also known as the ADA, is an extremely important piece of legislation. Under the terms of this law, all businesses must adhere to certain rules and regulations. If you own a business, there are many easy ways to make sure your business follows all legal requirements.
Online Materials
Online materials must be a crucial part of efforts to follow the needed guidelines. You’ll want to make sure all the images you post online, for example, have what are known as descriptive alt tags. These are tags that are used to help people with certain impairments. They need to be as specific as possible. For example, a florist will have pictures of flowers on their site. These pictures should be described in detail. A white flower in bloom is a good idea. An alabaster rose in a cobalt vase set against a living room fireplace is even better. The text should be easy to read. Tags are used to help people find things even if they find it hard to see images. They’re also used by people who are reading materials to those who are blind and want to see what others see.
WAVE Tool
The WAVE tool or Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool has been designed to help all businesses and anyone publishing content on the web ensure that the material they are putting online is easily accessible to those with disabilities. Business owners can take the tool and download before they put any kind of material up. This is a simple and effective site. The tool can be used to reach out to even more clients. Clients who can read and understand the material are more likely to become loyal and repeat business. The site also ensures all sites are compliant with all aspects of the ADA.
Service Animal Signage
Service animals are widely used by many people. A seeing eye dog guides the blind to new places. Some animals are used to help people with problems that may not be immediately visible such as epilepsy. All staffers should be informed about the rights of people with service dogs, what they do and how to help people when they’re onsite with an animal with this designation. All businesses should make sure signs are obvious to all entering the store. Bear in mind that, while other animals are used to help people with medical issues, under law only dogs are the only service animals that are covered under these laws. A person can bring a cat but store owners and staffers are allowed to ask the person to leave.
Entry Issues
Examine the entryway of your space. It should be free of all obstacles. If there’s a problem such as steps, this has to be remedied. Under law, if a restaurant can’t remove steps in front of the store, they can provide other ways for clients to access their services. This may include curbside service as well as home delivery.
Employee Concerns
The ADA covers clients and employees. All employees must be given reasonable accommodations on the job. Reasonable compliance need not be complicated or costly. Simple solutions can be found. For example, if someone has issues reaching for things, there are tools like step stools that can help. ADA compliant sinks can be used to help with office procedures. Offer people with low vision a magnifying glass. Following these procedures is a good way to make sure the business is not open to ADA lawsuits.
Document Everything
Everything the employer does to follow the ADA should be documented. Take pictures of improved entryway access as it happens. Ask employees to put the changes that have been made to help them in writing. Take pictures of signs. This will help ensure that a company’s owner can indicate exactly how they worked within the demands of the ADA and followed all rules in their own business venture.
