If you’re an architect or a general contractor, you’ll know how stringent the rules are regarding the planning and construction of public properties. One of the most important regulations you need to be mindful of when planning your next build is the ADA. Here at Apertum Access in Tarzana, California, we provide professional and trusted ADA Consultant Services.
The Importance of the ADA
What is the ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law in 1990. It has been instituted with the express intent of making public properties more accessible and safer for people with disabilities. Before then, many Los Angeles properties were inaccessible, making it very difficult for differently-abled individuals to visit these properties for their business.
After the ADA came into effect, it is now mandatory for every architect or general contractor to make sure that their new constructions and renovations are in-accordance with ADA requirements.
At Apertum Access, we are specialized ADA consultants and we can help you navigate the complex requirements that you need to fulfill, to make your building disability-friendly.
We are based in Tarzana, CA and we serve the surrounding neighborhoods as well. Contact us for more information.
Important for Business
Owners Too
It is not just for architects and general contractors, but the ADA is important for business owners and individuals who own or operate public properties like departmental stores and hotels.
Your property may have been designed before the ADA was signed into law and may not be compliant with modern safety and accessibility requirements. Your staff, visitors, and customers may get injured, be inconvenienced, or feel very unwelcome on your property because of an absence of disability-friendly amenities. You must take steps to rectify this non-compliance to prevent any on-site accidents and resultant lawsuits.
Our consultants will provide ADA Consultant Services and check your property to ensure that it’s compliant with ADA specifications. If there is a need, we will create a renovation or refurbishment plan which you can implement to make your property ADA-compliant.
We know several reputed companies that manufacture ADA products that you can fit in your property post-changes. Feel free to contact us for details.
What Properties Are Under the Purview of the ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires all public accommodations and commercial facilities to be disability-friendly and accessible for people with physical and mental disabilities. By public accommodations and commercial facilities, we mean any property that is used by the general public:
- Malls & shopping complexes
- Movie theaters
- Retail stores
- Hotels, restaurants, cafes, and resorts
- Hospitals and health care clinics
- Public restrooms
- Public parks & recreation facilities
- Corporate offices and factories
- Transport centers (bus stands, train stations, etc.)
- Sidewalks
- Sporting centers (golf courses, tennis/badminton fields, basketball, baseball & football courts, skating rinks, etc.)
- Academic establishments like daycare centers, schools, and colleges.
- Public clubs, youth centers, and senior centers
If you are currently developing any of the above properties or own/manage these venues, you will need to ensure they are ADA-compliant.
As your dedicated ADA consultants, we can advise you regarding:
- Creation of property plans and blueprints that are ADA specifications compliant.
- Installation of ramps and walkways for wheelchair accessibility.
- Installation of handrails and grab bar locations, both inside and outside the property.
- Implementation of braille signs for visually impaired visitors.
- Widening and leveling of pathways and hallways that are very narrow and steep.
- Planning of disability-friendly parking lots, elevators, and rooms.
- Development of handicap-accessible restrooms.
- Installation of light and sound fixtures that are disability-friendly.
- Implementation of other technology that can make your property ADA-compliant.
- Planning for an ergonomic workspace or shop for your disabled employees and customers.
- Our professionals always keep track of the amendments to the Americans with
- Disabilities Act and we ensure that any changes we recommend are in-line with the ADA.
Our ADA Lawsuit Inspectors Can Help You Avoid Indictments
According to the law, ADA requirement violations can generate lawsuits against convicted parties. If you’re found guilty of not complying with ADA requirements, you may be fined up to $75,000 on your first violation, with subsequent violations getting fines up to $150,000. In addition to these, you may have to pay for the disability claims that any visitors and customers make because of any injuries or accidents that arise out of these ADA violations.
Apart from the fines and claims, your reputation may also take a hit, resulting in your company/brand being viewed as disability-unfriendly. You can safeguard yourself and your business from these problems by making your public property ADA-compliant. This is where our ADA lawsuit inspectors can help.
Our team of California experts on ADA property improvement will visit your property, evaluate your premises, and advise you about the changes you’ll need. We understand that it’s not possible (and many times impractical) to completely renovate your property. We ensure that the changes we recommend are both doable and budget-friendly for you.
In addition to this, we can also offer advice regarding the training you need to provide staff, about using ADA products and implementing disability-friendly in-store/office practices.
Contact Apertum Access to schedule a site visit. Our office is located in Tarzana, CA, but we also serve clients located across Los Angeles.
