When you own a business, there are many regulations you’re required to follow, in order to comply with state and federal laws. For example, the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requires all businesses to provide “reasonable access and accommodation” to people with disabilities. Disabled clients, employees, and visitors must be able to enter your company’s building. Although these accommodations may be costly, you will be required to provide them to give equal access to patrons who are experiencing disabilities.
Some examples may include disability handrails for steps or a wheelchair accessible ramp. People with arthritis or those who have had surgery must use handrails as mobility aids to get up and down steps. If your business were to catch fire and your clients or employees needed to use the stairs, those handrails might save their lives. Handicap railings should be installed during the construction of your building to avoid renovations in the future.
Other places for handrails include your business’s bathroom. Toilet handrails help disabled people to safely seat themselves on the toilet and raise themselves off the toilet when they are ready to get off. Some disabled clients need handrails for ramps so they can propel their wheelchairs up and down the ramps.
Making your home and your vehicle accessible for a loved one can make a major difference in their lives. In fact, wheelchair lifts for vehicles, handicap automatic door opener, and other modifications allow people to enjoy a variety of spaces that would otherwise be inaccessible. From handicap automatic door openers to medical chair lifts that can be used in both residential and commercial settings, there are many things that you can do to make sure that your space is available to all.
And while there are many modifications in public spaces that are required by the American Disabilities Act (ACA), there are still many kinds of locations in older buildings that are very limited for those who have mobility challenges. If, however, you have a family member who needs to use a wheelchair or other mobility resources you know how difficult it can be. From elderly people to those who have had limited mobility their entire lives, it is important to make sure that the spaces that they need to use have as few limitations as possible.
The latest research indicates that as many as 6.8 million Americans use assistive devices to aid their mobility. And while there are many public spaces that are easy to access, there are still many churches and older buildings that are not. Fortunately, there are a growing number of options for those who use mobility devices. And the fact of the matter is, every time that a space is made more accessible to someone with mobility limitations that space is often more safe for everyone.
Wheelchair lifts for vehicles are one addition that, while somewhat expensive, can make life much easier for a family. Instead of having to transfer a person to and from a wheelchair and having to lift that wheelchair in and out a vehicle, wheelchair lifts for vehicles can be installed in a variety of cars, trucks, and vans. The fact that an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall every 11 seconds is just one indicator that there is a need for modifications that can keep both public and private spaces safe. From wooden wheelchair ramps at parks to medical lift recliners at your home, there are many modifications that can be made to make sure that spaces are both safe and accessible.