Ensuring compliance with the ADA is required by Kentucky law. All public facilities must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The penalty for noncompliance ranges from a misdemeanor charge to a felony, depending on the severity of the violation.
What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
The ADA is a civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, workplaces, schools, transportation, and places open to the general public. The goal of the ADA is to help people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
Which Businesses Need to Comply with the ADA?
The ADA established requirements in many categories, including stores and shops, restaurants and bars, theaters, hotels, recreation facilities, private museums, and schools, among others. Most types of businesses which serve the public are included in a category, regardless of size. Compliance is required if an establishment falls into one of these categories:
- All local, county, state, and federal government agencies.
- A company which relies on the public for its benefit.
- Privately run companies with 15 or more employees.
- Non-profit and charitable organizations with 15 or more employees.
- A business operating for at least 20 calendar weeks a year.
Steps for Compliance
To comply with the ADA, businesses must provide accessible signs. These include but are not limited to:
- Identifying exits and wheelchair-accessible routes
- Providing directions to and information about goods, services, and facilities
- Labeling restrooms
- Posting warning signs
When developing a checklist, the ADA recommends breaking it down into four priority areas:
- Building entrances
- Access to goods and services
- Accessibility of restrooms
- All other locations
To make the process easier, here are steps companies can take to check for compliance in their business:
- Understand the ADA requirements: The first step is to learn what the ADA entails. This way, developing a plan to make the business compliant is easier. Also, appointing an Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator helps the company comply with the ADA.
- Provide Notice of ADA Requirements: The next step is to post a notice to inform employees, customers, and other individuals about the company's commitment to complying with the ADA. This is done by displaying a sign in a visible location.
- Conduct a self-evaluation: After understanding the rules of the ADA, take a walk through your establishment. Make a note of any areas which need to be addressed.
- Develop a plan and timeline: After identifying what needs to be done, develop an action plan. This should include a timeline of when the work will be completed.
- Execute the plan: This includes making necessary changes to the establishment and training employees on the new procedures.
Contact us, FASTSIGNS® of Louisville, KY, today to start your custom ADA-compliant sign package.
