RFMA 2017 - March 5-7, 2017

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ADA – A Personal Account of Why it’s Important for Business

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I’m Jessica

This is my story.

RFMA 2017 - March 5-7, 2017

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My Perspective

Someone with a Disability

Business Owner

50M AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES

18% OF U.S. POPULATION

Americans with Disabilities

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71.5MWill be over the age of 65 by 2030

Baby Boomers

Why Should I Care?

1. Potential Customers and / or Employees

2. It’s a Federal Civil Rights Law (ADA)

3. Right Thing to Do

4. Public Relations

5. Retention

The Americans with DisabilitiesAct (ADA) became law in 1990.The ADA is a civil rights law thatprohibits discrimination againstindividuals with disabilities in all areasof public life, including jobs, schools,transportation, and all public andprivate places that are open to thegeneral public.

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What Does this Mean for my business

Who is Affectedby the ADA?

• Stores• Restaurants• Bars• Service

Establishments• Theaters• Recreational

Facilities

• Hotels• Private Museums• Schools• Doctor and

Dentist Offices• Shopping Malls• Other

Businesses

1. Modify business policies and procedures

2. Take steps to communicate effectively

3. Remove architectural barriers (existing and newly built)

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”Grandfather provisions" often found in local building codes do NOT exempt businesses from

their obligations under the ADA.

Does this apply?

GRANDFATHER PROVISIONS

Types of Disabilities

Visual Impairments

Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Wheelchair Users

Individuals with Other Assistive Devices such as Walkers or Canes

Cognitive Impairments

Communication Impairments

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Wheelchair Users

Remove Barriers

Kneel

Offer to Assist

Deaf / Hard of Hearing

Write on Notecard

Take Additional Time

Speak loud and clear

Visual Impairments

Brail Menu

Offer to Read

Walk to Table

How to Accommodate

Communication

Calm & Patient

Don’t Interrupt

Speak Clear

Cognitive Impairments

Use Plain Language

Extra Time

One Piece of Info at a Time

Assistive Devices

Remove Barriers

Offer to Assist When Needed

Open Doors

How to Accommodate

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Service Animals

Dog that is individually trained to dowork or perform tasks for anindividual with a disability. The task(s)performed by the dog must be directlyrelated to the person's disability.

Types of Service Dogs

• Guide/Seeing Eye• Hearing• Mobility Assist• Alert (seizure or diabetes)

* May include Skilled Companion, Comfort, Therapy Dogs

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Video of Service Dog

You May Ask…

ONLY ASK THESE TWO QUESTIONS MUST ALLOW DOG INTO FACILITY

1) Is the animal required because of a disability?

2) What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

* No other inquiries about an individual's disability or the dog are permitted.

• Allergies• Fear of dogs• Other patrons complain• Simply don’t want the dog

in your place of business

Cannot Deny

* Cannot deny unless dog is out of control or if the dog is not house broken

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Common Questions

Does the animal need a vest?

Does the owner have to have an ID?

Can I pet the dog?

We have a ”no pet” policy. Isn’t the service animal a pet?

What if I know the animal is not a service animal?

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StoryJessica & Ozzie

Setting: Grocery Store

Problem: Uneducated Staff

Environment: Hostile

Solution: tried to educate staff member, left store, had attorney call, ADA class

Building Requirements

Making an environment accessible. Understanding how customers will move through your business will go a long way in identifying existing barriers and setting priorities for their removal

Outside Environmental Accommodations

1) Accessible Parking Spaces & Access Aisles

2) Ramp into Building - this includes grooved payment

3) Entrances

4) Sidewalk

If your business facility was built oraltered in the past 20 years incompliance with the 1991Standards, or you removedbarriers to specific elements incompliance with those Standards,you do not have to make furthermodifications to those elements.

1991 vs 2010Updates to Law

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Entrances

Clear Width(32 inches)

Door Hardware must not require more than 5 lbs

Maneuvering Space

Closing Speed(5 seconds to open)

Ramps

1:12 ramp slope ratio which equals 4.8 degrees

slope(1 ft ramp = 1 inch rise)

5 x 5 Flat unobstructed area at the top and

bottom of ramp

36 inches in width

34-36’ handrails on both sides of ramp

Parking Spaces

1 of 25 spaces must be car accessible

(60’ wide)

1 of 6 must be van accessible

(96’ wide access aisle)

Rules & Regulations

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GOOD BAD

Accessible Parking

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GOOD BAD

Ramp Entry

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GOOD BAD

Ramp Entry

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GOOD BAD

Entrances

1) Counter Height

2) Ordering

3) Aisles

4) Table & Bar Seating

5) Restrooms

Inside Environmental Accommodations

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GOOD BAD

Restroom

StoryElizabeth & Joanne

Setting: Restaurant Near Hospital

Problem: Barriers to Restroom

Environment: Unsafe

Solution: Working with hospital to make proper accommodations

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EMPLOYEE TRAINING

A critical and often overlooked component of ensuring success is comprehensive and ongoing staff training. Staff need to understand the requirements on modifying policies

and practices, communicating with and assisting customers, and accepting calls placed through the relay system.

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SummaryWhy Should I Care About the ADA

Public RelationsLawMoney

ADA Resources

U.S. Department of Justice

ADA Websitehttp://www.ADA.gov/

ADA Information Line

800-514-0301 (Voice)800-514-0383 (TTY)

Access Board

For technical assistance on the ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines

United Spinal

For access questions and how to make your facility accessible

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Jessica Harthcock | jessica@utilizehealth.co | (812) 449-7843

Contact