When the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, it was hailed as a major gain for groups and individuals lobbying to ensure parity between people with a handicap and those without one. One key section of the ADA covers accessibility issues. Virtually every type of business is legally required to make sure that anyone with a mobility issue can have a safe, convenient place to park and an unobstructed path to the door of the business. Business owners are responsible for taking the initiative to ensure compliance with the ADA. If a business is found guilty of an access violation, the company can be fined up to $75,000 for a first violation and up to $150,000 for a second violation. A failure to comply can also leave a business open to a civil suit, particularly if a disabled person suffers an injury because the company was not in compliance with the ADA.
What Are ADA Violations? | Asphalt Maintenance
Which ADA Accommodations Violations Are the Most Common?
Many accommodations violations are the result of hiring an inexperienced pavement striping contractor. The ADA is quite clear on the sizes of accessible parking spaces, where they should be located and how they should be marked. For example, accessible parking spaces cannot be less than eight feet wide; this minimum width does not include the mandatory access aisles. Accessible spaces should be placed as near as possible to the building’s accessible entrance. Pavement striping should identify the access aisles, and a permanent sign that bears the symbol for accessibility must be mounted at a specified height so that it is clearly visible to drivers. In addition, every parking lot must have an adequate number of accessible spaces. The number of total spaces provided by the parking lot is used to calculate the minimum number of accessible spaces required.
Another common issue is the slope of the accessible space. The access aisles and parking spaces must be level and have surface slopes that do not exceed 2 percent. A credible asphalt contractor can advise whether all of your accessible parking complies with the ADA requirements.
Accessible routes should not require those parking in accessible spaces to pass behind parked cars. No obstructions should be present in the accessible path, so it may be necessary to install curb ramps to ensure compliance.
Another issue can arise when a company hires a paving maintenance and striping contractor to apply new pavement markings. According to the ADA, this constitutes an alteration, which means that the new markings must comply with the latest version of the ADA. The ADA was amended in 2010, and the changes went into effect in 2012. Therefore, a parking lot that was striped prior to 2012 might comply with the original standards, but care must be taken to ensure that markings applied today conform to the amended standards.
Finding Help for Compliance With the ADA
The complexity of the ADA means that it is wise to seek the help of an experienced, reputable contractor when you need to refresh your parking lot. At All Pro Asphalt, we specialize in the maintenance of asphalt paving. Our services include asphalt striping and pavement markings, sealcoating, asphalt crack repairs, infrared asphalt repairs, asphalt paving and concrete work. We are driven to ensure every customer’s satisfaction with our work through our commitment to excellence. You can call 816-249-6800 or fill out the online form to request a free quote on your next project.
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