Portal:United States Department of Justice

“ Many business facilities were built without features that accommodate people with disabilities, including people who use wheelchairs. This lack of accessibility makes it impossible for many people with disabilities to take part in everyday activities such as going to work, eating in a restaurant or shopping in a store. The ADA recognizes that, for people with disabilities to participate in the everyday activities in their communities, they need to have access to the goods and services provided by businesses. ”

“ After ensuring that its entrance is accessible, a business must consider how people with disabilities will get to the items that are sold or provided. When sales items are displayed or stored on shelves for selection by customers, the store must provide an accessible route to fixed shelves and displays, if doing so is readily achievable. ”

“ If you own, operate, lease, or lease to a business that serves the public, then, you are covered by the ADA and have obligations for existing facilities as well as for compliance when a facility is altered or a new facility is constructed. Existing facilities are not exempted by "grandfather provisions" that are often used by building code officials. ”

“ Customers who have hearing or speech disabilities may need to communicate with sales staff without using speech. The method of communication will vary depending the abilities of the customers and on the complexity of the communications that are required. For example, some people who are deaf are able to use speech but unable to understand words spoken by others while other people who are deaf are not able to communicate with speech. People with speech or hearing disabilities may require extra time to complete their message or extra attention by staff to understand what is being said. ”

“ Another approach to providing access at an entrance is to use a platform or folding lift. Lifts are mechanical devices that can be used to transport a person using a wheelchair or scooter up or down several feet. A lift may be a preferred solution where little space exists for a ramp or when an entrance serves more than one level. ”

“ Private businesses that provide goods or services to the public are called public accommodations in the ADA. The ADA establishes requirements for twelve categories of public accommodations, including stores and shops, restaurants and bars, service establishments, theaters, hotels, recreation facilities, private museums and schools and others. Nearly all types of private businesses that serve the public are included in the categories, regardless of size. ”

“ If you provide only one accessible parking space, it also must be a van accessible space. In facilities where more than one accessible parking space is required, one of eight accessible parking spaces must be van accessible. ”

“ To make it easy for people who use a TDD to communicate with businesses and individuals who do not have a TDD, the ADA established a free state-by-state relay network nationwide that handles voice-to-TDD and TDD-to-voice calls. Customers who use a TDD to make telephone calls may telephone your business using a relay network. ”

“ Inaccessible door hardware can also prevent access to the business. For example, the handle shown below requires the user to tightly grasp the handle to open the door. Many people with mobility disabilities and others with a disability that limits grasping, such as arthritis, find this type of handle difficult or impossible to use. ”

“ When communication by speech is not possible, simple questions, such as the price of an item, may be handled with pen and paper by exchanging written notes or a mixture of speech and written notes. Staff should be aware of the need to use notes or both speech and communication with pen and paper. It is appropriate to ask the customer what is their preference for simple communication. ”

“ At sales and service counters, such as ticketing counters, teller stations in a bank, registration counters in hotels and motels, and other counters where goods or services are sold or distributed a counter that is at least 36 inches long and that is not more than 36 inches above the floor will make the counter accessible. ”

“ If a security gate is required, then the turnstile may be removed and replaced with an accessible gate, if readily achievable. Where a business wishes to retain its standard turnstile, it may provide an accessible gate adjacent to the turnstile. ”

“ In other cases, it may be possible to receive an order by telephone and to have a clerk bring the order to the customer outside the store or business. If alternative service is provided, it is important that it be publicized so a customer knows how the goods and services are offered. ”

“ The ADA Information Line provides information and technical assistance on the ADA Standards for Accessible Design and other ADA provisions applying to businesses, non-profit service agencies and state and local government programs. Information Specialists are available to answer general and technical questions during business hours on weekdays. ”