A Guide to ADA Compliance in Illinois

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Illinois business owners must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which ensures that disabled persons have equal accessibility and opportunity. If you’re a business owner in this state wanting more information about ADA compliance, you’ll find it below.

What Is the Americans with Disabilities Act?

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The Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA was signed into law in 1990 by President George W. Bush. The act outlines and protects the rights of disabled persons under the titles of Employment, Public Services, Public Accommodations, Telecommunications, and Miscellaneous Provisions.

The act also makes it illegal for any business or organization to discriminate against disabled persons. Anyone found to be in contravention of the act faces fines of $75,000 for their first violation. Should they continue to violate the act, they can be fined $150,000 for each time they do so.

How Illinois Business Owners Can Achieve ADA Compliance

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Because the ADA is a piece of federal legislation, all states are required to be compliant. However, in addition to federal legislation, Illinois and other states have required compliance at levels that go beyond the minimums outlined in the act.

Commercial businesses operating in Illinois must ensure their properties are accessible to persons with disabilities according to The Illinois Environmental Barriers Act. This act protects the rights of disabled persons by requiring multi-story housing and public facilities to meet its building codes for new construction, alterations, and additions.

There are also many products which can help business owners in Illinois achieve ADA compliance, such as detectable warning surfaces, graphic tiles, and wayfinding systems.

ADA Compliance Resources for Illinois Businesses

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Business owners wishing to achieve ADA compliance in Illinois can find more information in the following resources:

Illinois-Specific Resources

The Illinois Environmental Barriers Act – Details standards for the new construction and alteration of existing public buildings and multi-story housing.

Illinois Accessibility Code – Provides information with regard to the enforcement of disability laws in Illinois through investigation, training, assistance, and litigation, among others.

Federal Resources

Guidance on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design – Discusses and reveals revisions to Titles II and II of the ADA.

The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design – Is the federal document that details the required standards for businesses and organizations to achieve ADA compliance.

Guide to the ADA Accessibility Standards – Provides detailed assistance for navigating the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design in terms of ramps, ground surfaces, entrances, lavatories, and other areas of public and commercial structures.

Current Title III Regulations – Outlines the ADA compliance requirements of Commercial Facilities and Public Accommodations.

ADA Update: A Primer for Small Business – Provides businesses with more information about how to modify policies and procedures, plan, and find resources for ADA compliance.

ADA Update: A Primer for State and Local Governments – Provides more information with regard to policies, procedures, resources, and planning to assist government at the state and local levels.

Frequently Asked Questions About ADA Compliance in Illinois

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Q: Is anyone exempt from ADA regulations in Illinois?

A: Yes; religious organizations, their places of worship, and facilities they control are exempt from ADA requirements. Private clubs are also exempt.

 

Q: Which Illinois entities are required to be ADA compliant?

A: All agencies at the federal, state, and local level are required to comply with ADA regulations. Charitable, non-profit, and private companies that serve the public and have 15 or more employees must also comply.

 

Q: What can happen if you’re non-compliant with ADA regulations in Illinois?

A: Business owners in Illinois who are found to be non-compliant with the ADA can not only be fined $75,000 for their first violation and $150,000 for subsequent violations but be sued by individuals with disabilities who were prevented from accessing their premises.Illinois business owners can also be investigated by the Disability Rights Bureau and incur penalties in this way.

 

Q: How can Illinois business owners become ADA compliant?

A: Business owners can achieve ADA compliance by following the guidelines provided in the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design and Illinois Accessibility Code. They can also purchase and install products to help those with disabilities to safely and effectively navigate their premises.

 

Q: What is a “Public Facility” According to the Illinois Environmental Barriers Act?

A: The Illinois Environmental Barriers Act considers gas stations, restaurants, government buildings, grocery stores, hotels, sports facilities, and similar to be public facilities.

A Leading Designer and Manufacturer of Detectable Warning Solutions

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Being ADA compliant in Illinois means ensuring that disabled visitors and customers enjoy the same access to your premises, services, and products that those without disabilities do.

One of the most effective ways to accomplish this is by installing detectable warning surfaces. ADA Solutions is experienced in the design and manufacture of radius, cast-in-place, and surface-applied systems for the safe navigation of disabled persons through parking lots, on curb ramps, through doorways, and more.

We also design and manufacture our own lines of products, which include the Graphic Tile system, Glow Dome wayfinding system, and Iron Dome warning surface. Visit us for more information about our products and warranty today.