ADA Update – A Primer for Small Business

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities. These activities include shopping or eating at a local restaurant.

More than 55 million Americans–18% of our population–have disabilities, and each is a potential customer. People with disabilities are living more independently and participating more actively in their communities. They and their families want to patronize businesses that welcome customers with disabilities.

This course is part of our Building Design course category and provides general guidance to help architects, engineers, and business owners understand and comply with the Justice Department’s revised ADA regulations and the 2010 Standards for accessible buildings.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Identify who is protected under the ADA
• Determine what “reasonable modifications” and alterations the ADA requires businesses to make
• Develop a policy dealing with service animals that complies with the ADA’s revised regulations
• List effective solutions to communicate with individuals with disabilities
• Determine how “safe Harbor” applies to the elements of business facilities
• Identify “readily achievable” architectural barriers to be removed
• Set priorities for barrier removal
• Determine the number of accessible parking spaces required by the ADA
• Identify the requirements of an “accessible route”