People on a Crosswalk

Detectable warning surfaces are designed to help Americans with disabilities, or about 40 million individuals, safely navigate sidewalks and other public spaces. They are particularly useful for those with visual impairments and who use canes, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids.

The Purpose of Detectable Warning Surfaces

With a significant percentage of the population facing physical challenges, public spaces must accommodate everyone. A detectable warning surface provides tactile feedback about a person’s location. They can, for example, recognize the edge of a crosswalk, change in surface conditions, and where there may be oncoming road traffic.

When Did They Become Mandatory by the ADA?

The ADA mandated detectable warning surfaces in 1991. While the law differs by location, they’re required in all public areas where pedestrians are present. These include curb ramps, handicap ramps, in train and bus stations, and in other locations where preventing injuries can avoid physical harm and personal injury lawsuits.

How They Help the Visually Impaired or Those with Disabilities

Detectable warning surfaces alert people about changes in their environment. At a crosswalk or intersection, traffic may be ahead, or the elevation may change significantly. The products are also useful at bus stations and on train platforms, and anywhere a visually impaired person may otherwise not sense potential danger ahead.

Call ADA Solutions Today for Compliant Tactile Warning Surfaces
We offer Cast-in-Place Replaceable, Surface Applied, Cast-in-Place, and Radius System warning surfaces, featuring truncated domes and a strong fiberglass polymer composite, to meet a wide range of applications. Cast-iron, replaceable graphic tile, photoluminescent, and wayfinding surfaces are also available.

Read on for more about our ADA-compliant detectable warning surfaces online or call us toll-free at 800-372-0519.

How Detectable Warning Surfaces Work

Benefits of Handicap Ramps

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed into law in 1990. The act makes it illegal to discriminate against those individuals with disabilities in all areas of life, including transportation and public and private places.

While there are all sorts of accommodations that can be made to ensure a home or business is accessible, the use of handicap ramps is extremely common. If you’re considering having an accessible route installed at your home or business, there are some benefits you’ll want to know about. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of an ADA walkway.

It’s the Law

If you’re a business owner, you know all about the laws that apply to you. While you may know all about balancing the budget and keeping your inventory well-stocked, chances are you don’t know the ins and outs of the ADA. This law makes it illegal to discriminate against those with disabilities. Included in this law is the need for ADA compliant wheelchair accessible ramps.

There are also set guidelines that must be followed, including:

  • 1:12 ramp slope (8-degree slope)
  • Handrails on both sides of the ramp
  • Minimum width of 36 inches (48 inches in some states)
  • Flat, unobstructed area at the top and bottom

Ramps should also use an ADA detectable warning surface. These surfaces are brightly colored and textured to provide a visual and physical contrast from normal ground surfaces.

By having a properly constructed wheelchair ramp, you can have peace of mind that your business isn’t at risk of an ADA lawsuit.

Minimized Risk

The fact is that stairs can be dangerous. According to Reuters Health, more than one million Americans hurt themselves on stairs each year. We’ve all had a near miss of falling down the stairs or missing a step. By having an accessible route available, you can minimize risk and increase mobility for people of all types.

Beneficial for Everyone

While handicap ramps are meant for those with disabilities, the fact is that we’ve all benefited from the availability of an ADA walkway. Chances are you’ve chosen a ramp over stairs when carrying groceries, navigating with luggage, or pushing a stroller.

Making ADA Compliance Easier

Accessible ramps also tend to be safer, especially in less-than-ideal weather conditions. For example, ramps often use ADA flooring that makes them less slippery, especially in wet weather.

The bottom line is that having a wheelchair ramp makes life much easier and more convenient for everyone. The elderly, those using scooters, or even people who want to walk hand-in-hand benefit from the existence of a ramp.

Making ADA Compliance Easier

Once you decide that having a handicap ramp installed is the best decision for your needs, the next step is to find a company that’s experienced in providing products that are ADA-compliant. For a name you can trust, look no further than ADA Solutions.

Our engineers are experienced in installing ramps on a variety of ground and floor surfaces. We look forward to making your home or business more accessible! Contact us today at (800) 372-0519 for a free quote.

Source

  1. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-injuries-stairs/injuries-on-stairs-occur-in-all-age-groups-and-abilities-idUSKBN1CE1Z4/