The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was a major turning point in providing equal protections for citizens with disabilities. The Act provides civil rights protections to those with disabilities in the same way laws protect individuals from discrimination that may be based upon race, color, sex, age, or religion.
In everyday life, able-bodied individuals may not notice how the world is tailored to them. Things just seem normal: the height of sinks in bathrooms, the placement on door handles, the type of threshold you cross as you enter a building, whether there are stairs or not entering an establishment, etc. For others, these are essential issues that can make life a great deal easier or harder.
As a business owner, the law requires you to make sure proper accommodations are provided for all potential patrons. According to adata.org,
“[The ADA] prohibits private places of public accommodation from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. Examples of public accommodations include privately-owned, leased or operated facilities like hotels, restaurants, retail merchants, doctor’s offices, golf courses, private schools, daycare centers, health clubs, sports stadiums, movie theaters, and so on. This title sets the minimum standards for accessibility for alterations and new construction of facilities. It also requires public accommodations to remove barriers in existing buildings where it is easy to do so without much difficulty or expense. This title directs businesses to make “reasonable modifications” to their usual ways of doing things when serving people with disabilities. It also requires that they take steps necessary to communicate effectively with customers with vision, hearing, and speech disabilities. This title is regulated and enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice.”
An important part of the ADA for businesses is signage. The methods and techniques used to create the lettering and the braille on the signs make sure that they easily communicate their given messages to everyone. You still get to pick the design, colors, etc., but we make sure that the sign itself meets ADA requirements.
By working with a company that is knowledgeable of ADA requirements, you will be able to feel confident that your building is compliant and functioning in a way that keeps your business ready for anyone and everyone. When you work with Essential Sign, you work with a company that cares about making your business function the best it can for you and your patrons.