When the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed in the 1990s, it changes the way that businesses operated. This law is designed to help those that suffer from certain disabilities, allowing them to more easily go into areas where businesses are operating. This can be anything from a shopping mall to a school, and these changes that are mandated must be abided by. Let’s go over what the ADA is, what businesses must do, and how you can find ADA compliance pros that can help you and your business become compliant with this law that guarantees the same opportunities for all Americans.
What Is The ADA?
When this was signed into law, the ADA immediately became one of the most comprehensive laws to prevent any type of discrimination against those with disabilities. For example, businesses need to have ramps, elevators, and other additions to their business that will cater to those that suffer from disabilities. The same is true for people that own and operate websites. These must also be ADA compliant to some degree. Ensuring that your business is completely compliant with this law, you will need to consult with ADA compliance pros that can help prevent your business from being sued due to lack of compliance.
What Does the ADA Require of Businesses?
Specifically, any business that employs 15 people or more needs to abide by this law. This applies to both local and state businesses, as well as governmental establishments, plus labor organizations and employment agencies as well. This law requires that the construction, design, and elements of any building or facility that disabled people can use accommodate their specific disability. If a business is ever reviewed, and it is determined that they are not compliant, they will be required to fully comply or face consequences.
How Does This Apply to Digital Properties?
Although physical properties are specifically addressed by the ADA, websites are now being looked at more carefully. In general, people that have hearing disabilities, or have lost their ability to see, need to have a way of finding their way around a website. This could pertain to the organization of the website, and the availability of both audio files and videos that will make it easier for the hearing and seeing impaired to navigate the website. To ensure that your physical or digital property is compliant, you must consult with compliance pros that specialize in ADA standards.
How to Find Businesses That Offer These Services?
By simply searching for ADA compliance professionals, you will be led to several different websites offering these services. They will likely have a physical office, phone number, and certainly an email address that will allow you to contact them very easily. They can come out to your location to tell you what needs to be changed or upgraded, plus they can visit your website to do an assessment. Based upon their recommendations, you can quickly determine how much it will cost and how long it will take to become fully compliant with the ADA.
It is so important to comply with the ADA. If your business does have 15 or more people, this must be done. By working with a reputable ADA compliance professional, they can quickly resolve any and all issues. It is recommended that you get quotes from different companies that offer these services. This will ensure that you are getting help from the best company at a reasonable cost. The combination of the cost of their services, and the cost of upgrading your facility, can be minimized by simply working with the best company that offers affordable services.