Adapting Your Building for Accessibility: A Guide for Owners
Lance Luke
6/13/20232 min read
In recent years, there has been a growing focus on accessibility in buildings. This is due in part to the increasing number of people with disabilities as well as the growing awareness of the importance of accessibility for everyone.
If you are the owner of a building, you may be wondering how you can make it more accessible. Here are some tips:
Start by assessing your building. What are the current barriers to accessibility? Are there steps, narrow doorways, or other obstacles that make it difficult for people with disabilities to get around?
Make changes to the physical environment. This could include widening doorways, installing ramps, adding accessible parking spaces, and making changes to the interior of the building, such as lowering countertops and installing grab bars in bathrooms.
Provide accessible information. This could include providing Braille signage, installing audio signals at crosswalks, and making your website accessible to people with disabilities.
Train your staff. Your staff should be aware of the importance of accessibility and how to help people with disabilities. They should be able to answer questions about the building's accessibility features and provide assistance as needed.
There are a number of resources available to help you make your building more accessible. The U.S. Department of Justice has a website with information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which sets standards for accessibility in public accommodations. The National Center on Accessibility has a number of resources on making buildings accessible, including checklists and case studies.
Making your building more accessible is a worthwhile investment. It will make your building more welcoming to people with disabilities, and it will also show that you are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
Here are some additional tips for adapting your building for accessibility:
Consider the needs of all people with disabilities. This includes people with mobility impairments, visual impairments, hearing impairments, and cognitive impairments.
Make sure the changes are permanent and sustainable. This means using materials and finishes that are durable and easy to maintain.
Get feedback from people with disabilities. Ask them about their experiences in your building and what changes they would recommend.
Be patient. Making your building more accessible takes time and effort. Don't expect to make all the changes overnight.a