While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has provided guidelines to help give individuals with disabilities the same opportunities when accessing public accommodations since it was signed into law 30 years ago by President George H. W. Bush on July 26, 1990, there is still much work to do to encourage our community – and the world – to take proactive steps to create welcoming and inclusive spaces.
In line with that vision, The Ability Center of Greater Toledo, a local organization that has been advocating, educating, partnering and providing services supporting people with disabilities since 1920, has created a new accessibility fact sheet. The Ability Center hopes that this one-page fact sheet will help provide first steps for local businesses to not only comply with the ADA, but to provide welcoming and comfortable spaces for people with disabilities.
“We felt compelled to share this fact sheet at this time because we want to be a resource for local businesses to ensure they not only comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) but also be a welcoming and inclusive environment,” says Mallory Crooks, public relations manager for The Ability Center. “We want local businesses to look at accessibility as a proactive approach and not reactive or complaint-driven.”
On June 4, The Ability Center and the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce teamed up to discuss the reopen fact sheet during a short informational webinar. Katherine Hunt Thomas, attorney-at-law and Sam Melden, director of strategic engagement for The Ability Center joined Jeff Schaaf, director of talent strategy for the Toledo Chamber, and walked attendees through ADA guidelines and the information provided in the fact sheet.
“We felt compelled to share this fact sheet at this time because we want to be a resource for local businesses to ensure they not only comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) but also be a welcoming and inclusive environment,” says Mallory Crooks, public relations manager for The Ability Center. “We want local businesses to look at accessibility as a proactive approach and not reactive or complaint-driven.”
On June 4, The Ability Center and the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce teamed up to discuss the reopen fact sheet during a short informational webinar. Katherine Hunt Thomas, attorney-at-law and Sam Melden, director of strategic engagement for The Ability Center joined Jeff Schaaf, director of talent strategy for the Toledo Chamber, and walked attendees through ADA guidelines and the information provided in the fact sheet.
The accessibility fact sheet provides quick guidelines to ensure that local businesses comply with the ADA, such as providing parking spaces close to your businesses specifically for patrons with disabilities, but it also contains vital information to ensure patrons with disabilities can move throughout businesses while maintaining six feet of social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maintaining a clear path of 36 inches between tables in restaurants with six feet of social distance, for example, is a key rule to follow while rearranging the space in your business.
As the COVID-19 pandemic changes the way we live and conduct business, we must consider the needs of everyone entering local businesses. From using tactile social distancing tape on floors that can be felt with a white cane or the feet to providing masks to employees with a clear section over the mouth for customers who read lips, The Ability Center’s fact sheet can help you modify your business structure to enable the comfort of all patrons, especially during the pandemic.
“Every business is different and the process for accessibility compliance is different,” says Crooks. “Some organizations may require plan review, physical walkthrough or consultation. The Ability Center is here to act as a resource for information and help with technical assistance. We also have simple checklists that offer guidance on the ADA.”
Other Resources from The Ability Center and the ADA
For more information, or for questions about how you can create a more welcoming and inclusive business environment for patrons and employees with disabilities, please contact The Ability Center at 419-885-5733 or at abilitycenter.org.
As the COVID-19 pandemic changes the way we live and conduct business, we must consider the needs of everyone entering local businesses. From using tactile social distancing tape on floors that can be felt with a white cane or the feet to providing masks to employees with a clear section over the mouth for customers who read lips, The Ability Center’s fact sheet can help you modify your business structure to enable the comfort of all patrons, especially during the pandemic.
“Every business is different and the process for accessibility compliance is different,” says Crooks. “Some organizations may require plan review, physical walkthrough or consultation. The Ability Center is here to act as a resource for information and help with technical assistance. We also have simple checklists that offer guidance on the ADA.”
Other Resources from The Ability Center and the ADA
- ADA Update: A Primer for Small Business
- ADA Guide for Small Businesses
- Ten Small Business Mistakes – Accessibility
- ADA Readily Achievable Requirements
- The ADA and Small Business – Quick Facts
- ADA Business Toolkit
- Global Accessibility Awareness Day Webinar from The Ability Center
- June 4 webinar: The Ability Center and the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce
For more information, or for questions about how you can create a more welcoming and inclusive business environment for patrons and employees with disabilities, please contact The Ability Center at 419-885-5733 or at abilitycenter.org.
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