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a ramp like this is a possible measure against accessibility issues scaled

Commercial Building Inspection: Accessibility Issues

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Commercial building accessibility issues are a hot topic in the United States right now.

With new laws and regulations popping up all the time on a national and state-wide level, it’s more important than ever to ensure your business is accessible to everyone. This is not only from a legal standpoint, but also so you can open your business to customers from all walks of life.

This guide will take you through everything you need to know about accessibility in commercial buildings, from the most common issues to keep an eye out for and how to ensure your commercial building is as accessible as possible.

What does commercial accessibility mean?

Accessibility, in a nutshell, refers to the ease with which people of all abilities can access and use a space.

That means accessibility issues could include things like a lack of wheelchair accessibility, Braille signs for the visually impaired, and audio assistance that’s clear and easy to understand for people with hearing impairments.

The goal of accessibility is to make sure that everyone can enjoy your commercial space equally without having to worry about obstacles getting in their way or the environment disabling them.

Why is addressing accessibility issues so important?

There are a few key reasons why accessibility is so important in commercial buildings and why it’s something you need to consider.

For one, and perhaps most importantly, it’s the law. 

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that all commercial buildings be accessible to people with disabilities and that accessibility issues are addressed, so people aren’t discriminated against.

But accessibility isn’t just about following the letter of the law. It’s also about ensuring your business is open to everyone, regardless of their ability level.

Think about it this way: if your building is inaccessible, you could miss out on a whole group of potential customers who simply can’t enter your space.

What’s more, accessibility can also make your business more efficient. If you have a well-designed accessibility plan in place, it can actually help you save time and money by streamlining things like customer flow and traffic patterns.

What are some common accessibility issues in commercial buildings?

There are a few accessibility issues that tend to crop up more often than others in commercial buildings.

One of the most common accessibility issues is a lack of wheelchair accessibility. This can be anything from a lack of ramps or lifts to a failure to provide adequate wheelchair-accessible bathrooms.

To resolve this, you don’t have to conduct a large-scale project to install ramps around your building. Instead, investing in removable ramp equipment, such as the ramps trains use, is both functional and budget-friendly.

To address the accessibility issue of a lack of Braille signs or other accommodations for the visually impaired, simply researching where the key parts of your business is and installing signage is all it takes to become accessible. 

How to improve your commercial building accessibility?

With all this in mind, it’s worth remembering that every commercial building is different, and what you need in your building may vary from another business. This is why it’s important to consider using a property inspection service.

A professional service will be able to identify any accessibility issues in your commercial building and help you create a plan to address them.

Here at Divinity Inspection Services, our team of experts, who are familiar with all the latest accessibility laws and regulations, will thoroughly inspect your space and identify any potential accessibility issues. We’ll then provide you with a comprehensive report detailing our findings and outlining recommendations for how

Don’t wait to get started on improving your commercial building accessibility — contact us today to schedule your inspection!

 

man in wheelchair accessibility guidelines scaled

Your Guide to the Americans with Disabilities Act – Accessibility Guidelines

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If you own commercial property or certain residential buildings in Florida, you should be aware of the “Americans with Disabilities Act” accessibility guidelines. The US federal law requires owners of such properties to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. These guidelines help these property owners make sure they’re meeting expectations.

Whether you’re buying or selling the property, clearly understanding the accessibility guidelines is important.

parent with disability explaining the accessibility guidelines

A Breakdown of the Guidelines

The accessibility guidelines are set forth by the US Department of Justice in the Americans with Disabilities Act, known as the ADA. These standards exist to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all aspects of life, including access to public buildings and accommodations.

You can find the most up-to-date standards on their website here.

There are three main sections of the accessibility guidelines: 

  1. new construction
  2. alterations
  3. accessibility in existing buildings

“New construction” refers to any building that is newly built or any addition made to an existing building. All new construction must be completed in compliance with the current accessibility guidelines and designed with accessibility in mind.

“Alterations” refer to any changes to an existing building that affect accessibility. This could include changes like

  • widening doorways,
  • installing ramps
  • adding an elevator

If you do updates of property the ADA guidelines apply to, these updates must comply with respective regulations. This is especially the case if you’re planning on using a property/home of yours

  • for rental purposes
  • listing an Airbnb
  • or vacation home, and so on.

“Accessibility in existing buildings” covers all buildings that were built before the ADA was enacted in 1990. The guidelines apply to any renovations or alterations to these older buildings.

Basically, if you have a property and you’re either constructing it or doing work to it, then you need to make sure your plans and actual work meet or exceed the current ADA guidelines at the time of the work.

Each section has different requirements, but some commonalities include features like:

  • wheelchair-accessible entrances
  • wheelchair-accessible exits
  • and wheelchair-accessible restrooms
  • Braille signage
  • adequate lighting

accessibility guidelines include braille

Ensuring Your Property Meets the Accessibility Guidelines

You can do a few things to ensure your home is accessible and compliant with the ADA guidelines.

One of the most important things you can do is have a clear understanding of the guidelines themselves. Familiarize yourself with the requirements so that you can make informed decisions about potentially necessary changes.

If you’re making any alterations or renovations to your home, make sure to factor in accessibility.

And finally, if you’re selling your property, it’s important to mention existing accessibility features or modifications. This will help set expectations for potential buyers and avoid surprises down the road.

The accessibility guidelines are an important part of the ADA, and they play a vital role in ensuring people with disabilities have equal access to all aspects of life. As a property owner in Florida, it’s important to be aware of these guidelines and take steps to ensure that (if applicable) your property is compliant. 

If you have any questions or need help getting your home up to accessibility standards, don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us here at Divinity Home Inspections. We’re always happy to help you make sure your property is up to standard and meets all the required expectations.