A Guide to ADA Compliance in Canada

Canadian flag

In Canada, where over 20% of the population has a disability, accessibility in all areas of public life is of the utmost importance. Canada does have ADA laws that make business owners responsible for ensuring the continued accessibility of their properties by individuals with disabilities.

The ACA: Canada’s ADA Equivalent

Accessible route handicap sign red arrow

The Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA, signed into law in 1990, prohibits the discrimination of disabled persons in the United States under five titles, including public accommodation, employment, and communication. The Accessible Canada Act (ACA), also known as Bill C-81, was passed in 2019. It requires businesses to create plans for accessibility and publish progress reports on a regular basis.

The ACA identifies Canadians with disabilities as a distinct group. Previous legislation created social inclusion gaps by grouping accessibility rights with ethnic and gender discrimination.

Bill C-81 Ensures a Barrier-Free Canada

disabled man in a wheelchair

Bill C-81, The Accessible Canada Act, received unanimous support and was passed by the Government of Canada in May of 2019. Falling under federal jurisdiction, Bill C-81 ensures equal access for Canadians with disabilities to the following:

  • Procurement
  • Service delivery
  • Transportation
  • Information and communications technology
  • The built environment, referring to areas built by humans for humans

Any private or public sector business that serves the public must remove barriers so that disabled individuals may access these facilities.

In addition to being federally regulated, building developers must comply with standards for new structures and the modification of existing structures. These standards are covered by the CAN/CSA-b651, “Accessible Design for the Built Environment.”

Federal and Provincial Accessibility Legislation and Laws

Canada Canadian flag waving on the top sunrise mist fog

The ACA is federal legislation that all organizations in the private and public sectors must adhere to. However, businesses must also comply with provincial accessibility legislation. The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) was one of the first pieces of provincial legislation of its kind to be enacted in Canada.

The AODA requires that all organizations comply with all of the following Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations or IASRs:

  1. Information and Communications, Including Digital Accessibility
  2. Employment
  3. Transportation
  4. Customer Service
  5. Design of Public Spaces

As with federal legislation, the AODA applies to the properties of both public and private sector organizations. It details the importance of accessibility by disabled persons to public spaces, whether that means the redevelopment of existing spaces or their new construction.

Since Ontario enacted its legislation, several other provinces have followed, including British Columbia, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia.

Resources for Canadian Accessibility Compliance

Guide dog helping blind person with long cane going down stairs outdoors

If you are a Canadian business owner, you’ll find many resources below to help you achieve and maintain accessibility of your property to persons with disabilities.

Acts, Laws, and Regulations

The Accessible Canada Act (Bill C-81)
The Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act (AODA)
The British Columbia Accessibility Act (Bill M 219)
The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA)
The Nova Scotia Accessibility Act
Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulations

Design Standards

Ontario Building Code
Accessible Design for the Built Environment
Design of Public Spaces Standard (Ontario)

Plans, Policies, and Reports

How to Create an Accessibility Plan and Policy
Creating Accessibility Policies and Multi-Year Plans
A Comprehensive Guide for Developing Accessibility Policies and Plans
How to Complete Your Accessibility Compliance Report (Public Sector)
How to Complete Your Accessibility Compliance Report (Not-for-Profit and Private Sector)

Frequently Asked Questions About Canadian Accessibility Compliance

coated steps for orienting blind people

Canadian businesses may have questions about accessibility compliance. What follows are the most frequently asked questions about making a business accessible to those with disabilities.

Q: Who must comply with Canadian accessibility laws?

A: Typically, all businesses and organizations created for or that rely on the public and private sectors must comply with Canadian accessibility laws.

Q: What are the consequences of ACA non-compliance?

A: Though they may differ from one province to another, penalties do exist for non-compliance with the ACA. For example, in Ontario, a person or unincorporated business can be fined up to $50,000 per day if non-compliance continues for major offenses. Corporations can incur daily fines of up to $100,000 for major offenses.

Q: How can Canadian businesses become compliant with accessibility laws?

A: Canadian businesses can achieve compliance with accessibility laws by ensuring their property is free of barriers to people with disabilities. This includes all areas located going to and from designated parking spaces. Disabled persons must also have access to the following and other spaces and elements:

  • Elevators
  • Sidewalks
  • Restrooms and sanitary facilities
  • Walkways
  • Pedestrian ramps and curb ramps
  • Corridors and lobbies

Q: In what ways are Canadian accessibility laws enforced?

A: The enforcement of accessibility laws in Canada may be accomplished in several ways, including via:

  • Warnings
  • Compliance orders
  • Inspections
  • Violation penalties
  • Compliance audits
  • Compliance agreements
  • Monetary penalties

Q: What are some common ways to achieve accessibility compliance?

A: Businesses wishing to achieve accessibility compliance can install a number of elements, including:

  • Detectable warning tiles
  • Cast-in-place paving systems
  • Wayfinding systems
  • Audio and visual alerts
  • Tactile panels
  • Graphic tiles

The Accessibility Experts

Special tactile tiles on the sidewalk for people with vision problems.

The Accessible Canada Act requires federal and provincial businesses in the public and private sectors to make their properties accessible by people with disabilities. Penalties for discriminating based on disability can be expensive, not to mention cause irreparable damage to a business’s reputation.

If you own a business in Canada and wish to achieve compliance with the ACA, ADA Solutions can help. As industry experts, we put our over two decades of experience into every detectable warning product we sell.

In addition to the sale of top-quality detectable warning products, we also design and manufacture every product sold in our own ISO-9002 facility. This gives us complete control of the quality of our products, from design and testing to manufacture.

Our lines of detectable warning systems include:

  • Wayfinding surfaces, which provide navigation assistance
  • Radius tactile systems, which alert to contour changes
  • Tactile panels, which provide warnings with raised domes
  • Graphic tiles, which communicate information through raised domes, artwork, and color
  • Photoluminescent systems, which provide visual alerts

Because we only choose materials of the highest quality for the products we manufacture, our customers know that their purchase will last through foot traffic, weather, and sunlight exposure. We’re also proud to offer a warranty of seven years on all our products, which is the longest in the industry.

There are many benefits to working with ADA Solutions for your accessibility needs; discover all of them by looking through our website today.

A Guide to ADA Compliance in Illinois

Waving state flag of Illinois - United States of America

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?

Disabled child on wheelchair is play outdoor park

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

Illinois state of United States flag waving on the top sunrise mist fog

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

Illinois state capital building

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

Blind woman with long cane going down stairs, closeup

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

Yellow blocks of tactile paving for blind handicap.

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.

A Guide to ADA Compliance in Georgia

U.S. state flag of Georgia

Put in place to make discrimination against individuals with disabilities illegal, the five titles of the Americans with Disabilities Act provide guidance from the federal government to businesses wishing to achieve compliance. This guide contains important information for businesses in Georgia about obtaining and remaining ADA compliant.

What Is the Americans with Disabilities Act?

person in wheelchair greeting friend in the park

President George W. Bush signed the ADA into law in 1990. The Department of Justice is ADA compliant and enforces this law, as does the Department of Transportation. The act sets forth the requirements of all businesses to remove barriers to accessibility under the following five titles:

Title I – Employment

Title II – Public Services

Title III – Public accommodations

Title IV – Telecommunications

Title V – Miscellaneous

Each section outlines how organizations under each title can ensure the equal access of individuals with disabilities. For example, Title III, Public Accommodations, details the technical requirements and design standards to be followed for facilities used by the public.

How to Achieve ADA Compliance in Georgia

Elderly person in wheelchair

Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act is required for the nearly 300,000 businesses located in the state of Georgia. In addition to these, private places of business, such as those that provide certification, warehouses, office buildings, and similar entities must also comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA.

Compliance includes ensuring that the interiors of these spaces are accessible by disabled persons, as well as their walkways and parking lots. According to the ADA, a business owner must make financially reasonable accommodations for disabled persons. The act also outlines the requirements for the new constructions of buildings that will house these types of businesses.

Georgia ADA Compliance Resources

Georgia state of United States flag waving on the top sunrise mist fog

The ADA covers the accessibility requirements of businesses under federal law. However, laws are also in place at the state and local levels that require certain standards to be met which go beyond those of the federal requirements of the ADA.

Although this list is not exhaustive, ADA Solutions has gathered a number of resources for Georgia business owners wanting to learn more about achieving and maintaining ADA compliance.

  • The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design contains the federal requirements for modifications to existing structures and new construction.
  • Guidance on the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design contains the revisions made to Titles II and III in 2010.
  • The U.S. Access Board is a leading provider of information regarding accessible design, and it develops and maintains design criteria for the built environment.
  • The Georgia Accessibility Code provides guidance for compliance with the Georgia ADA code in the form of technical bulletins
  • The Accessibility Code for Buildings and Facilities furthers Georgia State Accessibility Code by describing how to increase accessibility according to age, building and room type, and more.

Georgia ADA Compliance Frequently Asked Questions

Woman assisting blind man on street

We at ADA Solutions believe that awareness is the key to helping business owners in Georgia increase accessibility by disabled persons. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about ADA compliance.

 

Q: Which businesses in Georgia have to be ADA compliant?

A: Federal law requires that all businesses having 15 or more employees, as well as all federal, state, county, and local government entities, be compliant with the ADA.

 

Q: Are there Georgia businesses that are exempt from the ADA?

A: Yes; entities historically exempt from the ADA, such as places of worship, do not have to comply with the ADA. Private clubs and religious organizations are also exempt. However, the aforementioned businesses do have to make reasonable accommodations for disabled persons, and the 2010 Standards must be followed for all new construction and alterations.

 

Q: Are parking lots required to be ADA compliant?

A: Yes; ADA standards apply to all places of public accommodation that provide parking to make accessible parking spaces available.

 

Q: What are the consequences of not complying with the ADA in Georgia?

A: Any business that is found to be non-compliant with the ADA can be fined up to $75,000 per violation and up to $150,000 for subsequent violations. They can also be charged by those with disabilities in class action lawsuits, which can incur court costs and additional penalties.

 

Q: What are Places of Public Accommodation?

A: Places of Public Accommodation are facilities that are used by the public. They can be private or public and include office buildings, movie theaters, retail stores, and restaurants. Other places of public accommodation include service centers, educational institutions, and recreational facilities.

How to Ensure ADA Compliance at Your Business

Pedestrian crossing leads to yellow detectable warning surface tactile paving.

The ADA requires all Georgia businesses to ensure that every customer has equal access to their premises, as well as their products and services. One way to accomplish this is via the installation of detectable warning surfaces, wayfinding systems, and graphic tiles.

ADA Solutions is a leading designer and manufacturer of cast-in-place and surface-applied raised dome warning surfaces, graphic tile systems, and the Glow Dome wayfinding system. We manufacture everything we sell in our own ISO-9002 facility, ensuring strict quality control.

We also offer the longest warranty in the industry: seven years. Look through our website to learn more.

A Guide to Florida ADA Compliance for Businesses

Flag of Florida, North America

It’s important for businesses and organizations in Florida to be aware of their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Act governs the access of those with disabilities to various products and services. This guide aims to provide business owners with important information about Florida ADA requirements.

What Is the Americans with Disabilities Act?

Blind person is walking on the sidewalk, using a white cane.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became a federal law in 1990. Amendments to the ADA, which greatly expanded the definition of disability, were placed into effect in 2009.

The ADA guarantees individuals with disabilities the same rights, access and opportunities as those without disabilities enjoy. It does this both by setting out requirements for businesses and organizations, and by imposing hefty fines for non-compliance.

The Act applies to any business with 15 or more employees, businesses or organizations relying on or benefiting the general public, and all agencies at the federal, state and county levels.

In Florida, the ADA goes into detail about the responsibilities of businesses and organizations under five titles:

  • Employment
  • State and Local Government Activities
  • Transportation
  • Public Accommodations
  • Telecommunications

Title I – Employment

Young disabled African American woman in wheelchair at home.

Title I makes it illegal for any workplace to discriminate against disabled persons from application and hiring to training and working. It requires employers to not only address, but also remove any existing barriers which may be preventing disabled persons from enjoying employment opportunities or performing their jobs efficiently.

Title II – State and Local Government Activities

Title II protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination by government entities on the state and local levels. It requires these entities to not only remove physical barriers to disabled persons at their premises, but to also reasonably modify or remove barriers which may exist in their procedures, practices and policies.

Title III – Transportation

Title III of the ADA covers the requirements for private and public providers of ground transportation. This comprehensive title ensures that disabled persons have equal access to all forms of ground transportation in terms of operator training, signs and priority seating, service animal allowances, adequate boarding time, and accessibility features like lifts and information systems for riders, such as Braille.

Title IV – Public Accommodations

Title IV covers the equal access of disabled persons for public accommodations, which include private schools, movie theaters, doctor’s offices, restaurants and retail stores. It details the minimum requirements for existing businesses in terms of modification to remove barriers, and also provides guidance for new construction. Title IV also includes requirements to ensure effective communication with those having speech, hearing or visual disabilities.

Title V – Telecommunications

Title V concerns the rights of disabled persons where it comes to electronic communications. This title requires providers of internet and telephone services to ensure that disabled persons have effective means of communication. These requirements were updated in 2010 to ensure that modern mobile, broadband and digital service providers also comply with ADA Title V standards.

Florida ADA Compliance Resources

Florida (U.S. state) flag waving against clear blue sky

Businesses and government entities operating in Florida must comply with both the federal regulations set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as state-specific requirements. If you’re a Florida business owner, you will find the following resources helpful. However, it’s important to be aware that this is not an exhaustive list.

ADA.gov contains information with regard to design standards, enforcement, technical assistance, laws and regulations.

The 2012 Florida Accessibility Code for Building Construction maintains the ADA requirements for architectural accessibility, but also includes existing provisions under Florida law which are considered to be more stringent than ADA requirements.

The Florida Bar offers an Accessibility Checklist for download at no cost. The document provides a summary and overview of several aspects of accessibility requirements for businesses, including parking lots, doorways, lavatories and dining areas.

The ADA Update: A Primer for Small Business is a downloadable guide provided by the ADA to facilitate understanding among businesses as to their requirements under the Act.

ADA Solutions is a designer and manufacturer of detectable warning systems that businesses in Florida can use to achieve and maintain ADA compliance.

Detectable Warning Solutions for Florida Businesses

stonescape home

Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act in Florida means providing all of your customers and visitors with equal access to your products, services and premises. Non-compliance under the Act can result in fines for the initial violation, as well as individual fines for subsequent violations.

Disabled persons can also take legal action against businesses who discriminate against them. Finally, costly and irreparable damage can be inflicted upon the reputation of businesses found to be discriminating against individuals with disabilities.

Detectable warning surfaces from ADA Solutions helps Florida businesses achieve and maintain ADA compliance. Our lines of products include the Iron Dome warning surface, Glow Dome wayfinding system, and Graphic Tile system. We offer cast-in-place, surface-applied and radius system options to suit the needs of every Florida business.

ADA Solutions manufactures all products in our own ISO-9002 facility, which ensures strict quality control. We also offer a 7-year warranty on our systems—the longest in the industry. We invite you to visit us for more information about the benefits of our detectable warning products.

A Guide to ADA Compliance in Colorado

Flag of Colorado, North America

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires all Colorado businesses to provide individuals with disabilities the same access to products and services as all other customers. If you own a business in Colorado and have questions about how to be ADA compliant, you will find answers in this guide.

What Is ADA Compliance in Colorado?

guide dog helps the owner down the stairs outdoors

The ADA makes it illegal for any business, organization, or other entity to discriminate against any person having a physical disability. Because the ADA is federal, all states, including Colorado, are subject to the standards and laws contained therein.

All qualifying businesses must comply with the ADA under its five titles, which are:

  • Employment
  • Public Services
  • Public Accommodations
  • Telecommunications
  • Miscellaneous

To meet Colorado ADA standards, a business or organization must make reasonable accommodations to ensure access to all disabled persons. These accommodations must not place undue hardship on the business owner or the business’s operation.

Are You Required to Be ADA Compliant in Colorado?

Colorado state of United States flag waving on the top sunrise mist fog

The Amercians with Disabilities Act applies to any business with 15 or more employees. This includes private businesses, as well as those at the local, state, or federal level that rely on the general public.

However, there are also some businesses that are considered to be exempt from the requirements of the ADA. These include:

  • Places of worship
  • Facilities historically exempt from civil rights law
  • Religious organizations and the daycares and schools they run
  • Private clubs

This is not an exhaustive list; consult the ADA for more information about businesses that are required to comply.

In addition to existing businesses, Colorado ADA requirements also include the new construction of business buildings. The act goes into great detail with regard to acceptable doorway widths, degree of rise for ramps, and much more.

What Happens if Your Colorado Business Isn’t ADA Compliant?

Colorado businesses who are found to be in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act face significant fines, even for their first violation. The allowance for an initial violation is up to $75,000. If a business doesn’t correct the compliance issue or is found to be non-compliant in additional ways, they can incur as much as $150,000 for each violation.

The consequences of non-compliance also include court fees, which a business may be ordered to pay when charged with a violation by a disabled individual. Finally, not making your business or organization accessible to people with disabilities can also harm your reputation, resulting in irreparable damage.

How Do You Become ADA Compliant in Colorado?

african american disabled man with helpful dog

Complying with Colorado ADA requirements means ensuring that any barriers to disabled persons are removed. A barrier can be intangible or physical.

The removal of an intangible barrier may include ensuring that existing computer software, equipment, or devices allow for access by people with disabilities. Work schedules can also be modified, or a job restructured to ensure access by disabled persons.

Physical barriers to access by disabled persons may include the installation of ramps, placing of detectable warning devices, and the widening of doorways to accommodate wheelchairs.

What Products Can Help You Achieve ADA Compliance?

blind pedestrian walking on tactile paving

There is a wide range of products that can help people with disabilities to safely and efficiently navigate and access your Colorado business. Audible alerts, Braille, and wayfinding systems can assist those with visual disabilities.

Individuals with hearing disabilities can benefit from lighting systems and graphic tiles. Detectable warning surfaces like tactile panels and radius tactile systems provide alerts to disabled persons of upcoming surface changes or dangerous areas.

Enhance Access and Safety with an Industry Leader

ADA tile close up

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits Colorado businesses and organizations from discriminating against disabled persons by requiring that they make their locations accessible. Not complying with this federal legislation can expose a business to hefty fines and high legal costs, as well as cause damage to your business’s reputation.

If you’re a business owner looking for products to help you meet Colorado ADA requirements, no further than ADA Solutions. We possess over two decades of experience in the detectable warning surface industry and are dedicated to designing and producing products that are innovative and of the highest quality. We design, manufacture, and install:

  • Tactile panels, which provide unmistakable warnings with raised domes
  • Radius tactile systems to alert disabled individuals to changes in contour
  • Photoluminescent systems, which provide visual alerts
  • Wayfinding surfaces to provide assistance with navigation
  • Graphic tiles that use color, artwork, and raised domes to communicate information

We accomplish all of these goals and more on-site from our own ISO-9002 facility. It is there that we design, test, and manufacture our products to the strictest standards. Having full control over all stages of the process allows us to manufacture each and every piece with confidence.

By choosing only premium-quality materials to make our products, we ensure that they can stand up to exposure to sunlight, weather, and heavy foot traffic for the long term.

In addition to producing superior products, we also provide unparalleled customer service, as well as the longest warranty in the industry: seven years. Discover more about the benefits of working with ADA Solutions at our website.

What Did the Americans with Disabilities Act Do?

social services and legal acts for disabled people concept with a judge gavel and a wheelchair icon 3D illustration

The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, is a law that was enacted for the purpose of ensuring that those with disabilities have the same opportunities to access all areas of public life as those without disabilities. The act also prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by making it unlawful to do so.

When Was the ADA Enacted, and What Did It Do?

ADA Americans with Disabilities Act. text on wood cubes on white background.

Signed into law on July 26, 1990 by President George W. Bush, the Americans with Disabilities Act was modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which made it unlawful to discriminate against a person on the basis of their national origin, sex, religion, color, or race.

The act is also based on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and greatly expanded upon it. Section 504 made discrimination against disabled persons unlawful, but only in terms of accessing activities and programs at the federal level.

The ADA, however, makes discrimination against people with a wide range of disabilities unlawful under the federal title and also under the state and local government, workplace, commerical and public entities, facilities and areas, and telecommunications products, and services titles. As well, the act provides:

  • Information about the agencies tasked with enforcement of the ADA under each title
  • Guidelines that businesses can follow to achieve compliance with the act
  • Information about the facilities and buildings that are and are not exempt from ADA regulations
  • Information about specific measurements for ADA compliance with regard to doorways, railings, pathways, and other items
  • Guidance on filing a complaint under a title of the ADA
  • Guidance on products that facilitate access by disabled persons
  • Information regarding ADA requirements for new and existing construction

The act applies to all private businesses having 15 or more employees. It also provides a framework for ensuring that those with disabilities feel empowered and included.

Who Does the ADA Benefit?

Portrait of confident disabled businesswoman writing at desk in creative office

The ADA benefits any person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits their ability to engage in major life activities. These activities include walking, reading, or hearing to qualify as a protected disability under the act.

Some of the many disabilities considered to be eligible and therefore protected by the ADA include:

  • Heart disease
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Epilepsy
  • Learning disabilities
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Blindness and other visual impairments
  • Deafness and other hearing impairments

In addition to those with disabilities, the ADA also benefits employers and business owners. It does this by revealing the barriers those with disabilities face when attempting to access employment, programs, services, and public transportation. The act also provides important information about what those with disabilities need in order to access places of employment, programs, services, and transportation safely and enjoyably.

The Americans with Disabilities Act also protects employers and business owners. It does so by requiring them to make accommodations for those with protected disabilities under the act, but only if those accommodations are reasonable and will not cause the employer or business owner to experience undue hardship as a result of making them.

Finally, the ADA protects disabled persons by providing information to help them file a complaint under each title of the act. For example, if a person feels they have been discriminated against by their employer, their complaint must be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces Title I.

A disabled person wishing to file a discrimination complaint against a public, state, or local government entity can do so with the Department of Justice, which enforces Title II. Title III of the act is also enforced by the Department of Justice, and it accepts discrimination complaints for any disabled person who experiences discrimination by a public accommodation or service.

Those disabled persons who wish to file a discrimination complaint against a telecommunications or internet company must contact the Federal Communications Commission, which is the entity resposible for enforcement under Title IV of the ADA.

How Businesses Can Achieve ADA Compliance

Pedestrian crossing leads to yellow detectable warning surface tactile paving

The ADA offers many details with regard to what businesses must do in order to achieve and maintain ADA compliance.

  • For example, those with visual and hearing disabilities can be accommodated by installing products which communicate information via light, sound and color, as well as products that help to enhance their stability and safety.
  • Information can also be effectively communicated through tactile products, such as Braille. Detectable warning systems are other tactile products that can offer significant benefits to persons with a wide range of disabilities.
  • Tactile panels, radius tactile systems, and graphic tiles can assist visually impaired individuals, those in wheelchairs, and many others by communicating areas of caution, changing surfaces, entrances, and exits.

ADA Solutions for Detectable Warning Surface Systems

ADA Solutions is a leading detectable warning surface systems manufacturer. We can ensure that every product you choose is superior in terms of construction and design because we manufacture and test every product on site to ensure top quality.

We possess over two decades of experience with the installation, manufacture, and design of detectable warning surfaces, and we back every product with a 7-year warranty—the longest in the industry. Visit us today to learn more about our products, manufacturing facility, and standards.

A Guide to ADA Compliance in Arizona

Flag of Arizona

Arizona business owners must ensure that their properties are accessible to all, including people with disabilities. The following guide will provide details about the Americans with Disabilities Act and reveal ways to ensure you remain compliant.

What Is the Americans with Disabilities Act?

The ADA makes it illegal for any business to discriminate against a disabled person as defined in Section 504 of the act. Enforced federally by the Department of Justice, the ADA requires all businesses to provide safe and full access to disabled persons or face hefty fines for not doing so.

ADA Compliance in Arizona – What Does It Mean?

man in wheelchair approaching stairway

Being compliant with the ADA means several things. It means that your business is acting within the law and can, therefore, avoid the fines associated with non-compliance. Compliance also means that your business is safe for everyone to patronize, and it ensures that those with disabilities are able to have the same access to your business as all others.

Arizona businesses found to be in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act can receive fines of up to $75000 for their first violation. Subsequent violations of the act may result in $150000 per violation.

The requirements outlined in the ADA apply not only to commercial business, but also to agencies on the federal, state, and local levels. The act outlines the law under the following five titles:

  • Title I – Employment
  • Title II – Public Services
  • Title III – Public Accommodations
  • Title IV – Telecommunications
  • Title V – Miscellaneous

Is Your Arizona Business ADA Compliant?

Ensuring that any and all barriers to access by disabled persons are removed at your business is a clear sign that you are ADA compliant in the state of Arizona. However, the ADA isn’t the only legal requirement.

Legislation that requires your business to be compliant beyond what the ADA requires may also be passed by local and state governments.

ADA Compliance Resources in Arizona

Arizona flag waving on the wind

If you are an Arizona business owner who wants more information about being ADA-compliant, you will find the resources listed below to be very helpful.

Arizona State ADA Compliance Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is every business in Arizona required to be ADA compliant?

A: ADA compliance is required by all federal, state, county, or local government agencies, as well as any organizations or businesses:

  • With 15 or more employees
  • That rely on the general public
  • That are for the benefit of the general public

Q: Are there any organizations that don’t have to be ADA compliant?

A: Yes; there are certain organizations which are not required to be compliant with the disabilities act or ADA. These are:

  • Places of worship
  • Private clubs
  • Religious organizations and facilities controlled by these, including daycares and schools

Q: How can Arizona businesses achieve ADA compliance?

A: Arizona businesses can achieve ADA compliance by removing barriers to access by disabled persons. Examples of these barriers include entranceways and aisles that are too narrow, and steps leading to a building entrance. They also include removing barriers between handicapped parking spaces and a building’s entrance and installing ramps.

Businesses need to ensure that when they make alterations to one or more primary function areas, such as lobbies and dining areas, they must also ensure that an accessible path of travel to these areas is provided.

Q: What are the consequences for non-compliance with the ADA in Arizona?

A: Arizona businesses found to be non-compliant with the ADA can face fines up to $75,000 for their first violation. They can also be fined $150,000 per subsequent violation. In addition to these penalties, disabled persons also possess the right to file federal lawsuits against businesses they identify as non-compliant with the ADA in Arizona.

Q: What products are available to Arizona businesses wanting to achieve ADA compliance?

A: There are many product options available to businesses wanting to achieve ADA compliance. Some examples of these products are wayfinding solutions, special lighting, audible alerts, and detectable warning surfaces.

ADA Solutions – The Detectable Warning Surface Experts

Pedestrian walking on tactile paving on footpath

Achieving ADA compliance in Arizona means providing equal opportunity for people with disabilities via unobstructed access. ADA Solutions has over two decades of experience with designing, manufacturing, and installing detectable warning surfaces.

Every product we sell is designed and manufactured to strict standards in our ISO 9002 facility. Businesses that work with us experience superior customer service, are able to take advantage of our complete installation services, and benefit from our 7-year warranty, which is the longest in the industry.

Ensure compliance with ADA regulations by choosing ADA Solutions for all your detectable warning tile needs.

Stay Up to Date on the ADA

california-ada-requirements-feature-image

The ADA, or Americans with Disabilities Act, protects the over 20 million Americans who work with a disability. Here’s what you need to know.

How the ADA Supports Individuals Living with a Disability

Individuals with a disability who are employed can be eligible for several kinds of support under the ADA. Some of the most common accommodations received include job reassignment, workstation modifications, employment leave, and modified duties.

The ADA also supports individuals through employer compliance. The ADA requires businesses to provide disabled employees with safe access via:

  • Specific curb slopes and ramp heights
  • Tactile warning surfaces at building entry points
  • Tactile edges on bus and train station platforms

Costs and Benefits of ADA Compliance

The majority of surveyed employers were able to make ADA accommodations at no cost, and realize several benefits including increased productivity and improved customer interactions. This far outweighs the costs of non-compliance.

Are you an employer who is looking for ways to improve your ADA compliance? ADA Solutions is North America’s leader in providing surface-applied panels, iron domes, graphic tile systems, and much more.

For more about the ADA, and the many products available to maintain compliance, check out this informative infographic from ADA Solutions.

Stay Up to Date on the ADA Infographic

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A Guide to ADA Compliance in California

ADA Compliance in California

Business owners in California are aware that they are bound by law to ensure safety and accessibility for all of their customers, including people with disabilities. Still, you may have questions about the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This guide will provide the information you need.

What Does It Mean to Be ADA Compliant?

Asian special child on wheelchair is smiling, playing, doing activity on sea beach with father

The ADA is an act which makes discrimination against disabled individuals by property owners illegal, and it is enforced by the Department of Justice. Discrimination includes neglecting to provide those with disabilities a means of access to spaces where a business’s activities are occurring.

Being ADA compliant means that a business has ensured that disabled individuals have the same access as anyone to all areas of their premises.

California takes ADA compliance very seriously; state law declares that any business that chooses to violate the act is also committing a civil rights violation. Therefore, a violator can expect to be fined a minimum of $4000, in addition to any legal costs they incur.

In addition to following federal ADA requirements, California has set its own accessibility requirements in the California Building Code. Because of this, it’s important that business owners pay special attention to ensure compliance.

Resources for California ADA Compliance

California state of United States flag waving on the top sunrise mist fog

There are a host of resources for California businesses wanting to know more about ADA compliance; therefore, the list below is by no means exhaustive.

  • ADA Standards for Accessible Design – Provides detailed information with regard to ADA-compliant design for new buildings
  • California Commission on Disability Access – Provides information and resources for businesses needing to modify existing structures for ADA compliance
  • gov – Provides ADA guides, publications, and more
  • The California Building Standards Code – Provides reference materials for commercial facilities and other building types
  • ADA Publications for Businesses – Technical assistance, information, and resources for businesses
  • ADA Solutions – Offers information about detectable warning systems and how they help businesses achieve ADA compliance

Frequently Asked Questions About ADA Compliance

Q: Does every California business need to be ADA compliant?

A: Yes. The disabilities act or ADA requires all businesses that operate from a building and that have 15 or more employees to be compliant with the act.

Q: Are there any organizations that are exempt?

A: Yes; exempt entities include private clubs; religious organizations and the daycares, schools, and other facilities they may run; places of worship; and other facilities considered to be historically exempt from civil rights law.

Q: Does my private business have to comply with the ADA?

A: Yes. The act applies to all businesses to comply with the standards for accessible design, even if those businesses don’t serve the public. In addition, charitable organizations, nonprofits, and any other privately run company having 15 or more employees and serving the public must also comply.

Q: How do I make my facility compliant with the ADA?

A: Reviewing this guide and accessing the resources listed within is an important part of becoming ADA compliant. It’s also important to research the many products available that can help you achieve ADA compliance. These include detectable warning surfaces, sonic solutions, lighting, and more.

Q: What if my business is not ADA compliant?

A: Businesses in violation of the ADA can face a minimum of $4000 in penalties in addition to legal fees when a disabled person files a Federal lawsuit and obtains a cease and desist order. This can have negative effects on a business’s reputation and, ultimately, their revenue.

The Experts in Detectable Warning Surfaces

ADA truncated dome and tactile warning surface products

With over two decades experience in the detectable warning surface industry, ADA Solutions helps businesses achieve ADA compliance. We design and manufacture all of the top-quality products we sell in our own ISO 9002 facility and offer complete installation services.

Our adherence to strict standards, superior customer service, and a 7-year warranty (the longest in the industry) are just a few of the reasons we’re an industry leader. Learn more about us today.

What Is ADA Accessibility?

man in wheelchair going down the ramp.

ADA accessibility can seem like a vague and confusing term. In its most general form, it means ensuring that those with disabilities have free and full access to the same programs, services, and areas as those without disabilities do, and without discrimination. Today, we’ll look more deeply into the definition, requirements, and benefits of accessibility and compliance.

What Does Accessibility Mean?

Concret ramp way with stainless steel handrail with disabled sign for support wheelchair disabled people.

When a business or organization is ADA accessible, it means that their building, grounds, or area of operation has certain features in place that allow individuals with disabilities to safely use and navigate them.

What Is ADA Compliance?

 

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), published in 2010 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) contains the requirements for new and existing buildings, public transit, and certain public entities to make specific accommodations for disabled individuals. All of the entities covered by the ADA must comply with the accessibility guidelines provided under the following titles:

Title I – Employment in all aspects, including interviewing and work site modifications

Title II – Public Services provided by state and local governments, such as public transportation

Title III – Public Accommodations, such as retail stores, restaurants, and hotels

The act also includes requirements for telecommunications services and miscellaneous provisions.

Who Has to Be Compliant, and to What Extent?

view of woman from behind in wheelchair

The ADA requires several entities to make accommodations for people with disabilities. These entities include:

  • Small private business owners that employ 15 full-time workers or more for a minimum of 20 weeks each year
  • Public businesses that fall under federal law, including banks, schools, and recreation venues
  • New construction
  • Existing buildings

The act requires businesses and new and existing buildings to make what’s called “reasonable accommodations” to make their locations accessible to those with disabilities. “Reasonable” refers to the financial costs to make a location accessible. The act states that as long as the cost of an accommodation doesn’t result in undue financial hardship, it is considered to be reasonable.

How ADA Accessibility Benefits People with Disabilities

man in wheelchair approaching stairway

Under its five titles, the act prohibits discrimination against anyone with a disability. It also provides anyone who believes they’ve been discriminated against on the basis of their disability guidance on filing a complaint with those enforcing the act under its respective titles.

The accessibility standards outlined in the act preserve the rights of disabled people to access and enjoy all areas of public life while providing consequences for those who do not meet these accessibility requirements.

The act also includes standards for accessible design, which provide specific measurements in terms of doorway widths, degrees of incline for ramps, and similar accommodations. These standards both serve to educate businesses and other entities on items that can prevent access by disabled persons and eliminate guesswork by providing clear and concise direction for how they should be implemented.

This direction makes it easier for business and other owners to achieve compliance. Because the 2010 ADA standards for accessible design are more easily implemented, those with disabilities are able to enjoy safe access to a higher number of locations in a timely manner.

Helping Businesses Achieve ADA Compliance

ADA truncated dome and tactile warning surface products

As a leading detectable warning surface system manufacturer, ADA Solutions is committed to assisting its clients with making their locations accessible to people with disabilities.

We manufacture all of our tiles and warning panels in our own ISO 9002 facility, allowing us to oversee each stage of testing and quality control. Whether you’re a contractor or business owner, tactile system products from ADA Solutions can meet all of your needs. Discover more by exploring our website.