Our team of Alameda County paving and asphalt experts offers ADA striping and construction services for our clients. In this blog post we answer some of the top questions our clients ask us about the ADA.
What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
Passed in 1990, the ADA makes it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities in public areas. Businesses that fail to accommodate for those with disabilities put themselves at risk of civil action. The ADA is a federal law and applies to all buildings and public areas of any age. The ADA supersedes any local building codes. The Department of Justice (DOJ) oversees the ADA regulations.
Do I need ADA compliant construction?
If your building is meant for public use, then the answer is most likely yes.
Some examples include:
Public parks
Public sidewalks
Parking garages
Shopping malls and plazas
Theaters
Government offices
Museums
Sports arenas and sports stadiums
Restaurants and bars
Retail stores
Train and bus stations and terminals
Healthcare centers and hospitals
Airports
Hotels, motels, and resorts
Apartment and rental properties
Public and private schools and universities
ADA regulations apply to any business or organization that fits into at least one of these examples:
Local, county, state, and federal government agencies
Businesses that serve the general public or rely on the general public
Companies that are privately run and have at least 15 employees
Non-profit organizations that either have at least 15 employees or exist for the benefit of the public
How should I plan for ADA compliance?
The ADA doesn’t give exact specifications for all aspects of compliance for all public areas. It does, however, give a list of four priorities.
According to the ADA, you should plan for ADA compliance for your facility according to the following four priority areas:
Access to areas of public accommodation and entering the facility itself
Access to the produces, services, or goods offered at your facility
Access to public restrooms
Access to other areas of your facility such as self-service kiosks, drinking fountains, vending machines, telephones, building directories, etc.
Ramps, landings, sidewalk access, accessibility routes, curb ramps and flares—these are all aspects our Contra Costa County paving and asphalt contractors can handle for your project.
ADA compliance includes all relevant accessibility elements including:
Parking aisles
Parking spaces
Van access
Parking signage
Parking striping
Exterior travel paths
Curb ramps
Hand rails
Any signs in permanent areas of a qualifying public use place, both interior and exterior, need to follow ADA regulations.
Our team at Durango Paving & Grading provides ADA compliance construction, signage, and striping for your asphalt project in Northern California and the Bay Area.
What needs to mark accessible parking spaces?
All accessible parking spaces are to be designated by the International Symbol of Accessibility. For spaces that are van transport-accessible, they need to also be marked “van-accessible.” This sign needs to be at least five feet above the ground.
What ADA construction do I need for my public works project?
Public works projects involve any project paid in whole or in part from public funds. Public works projects serve the community. As such, they fall under ADA regulations. You need to ensure full ADA compliance for any public works project.
Bay Area Paving Contractor for ADA Compliant Paving & Asphalt
When you’re answering to the community, it’s important to choose the right contractor. It’s a big responsibility, and you need to find a provider who sees it as a privilege. At Durango Paving & Grading, Inc., we partner with you to see that the project is done right, including full compliance with all ADA regulations.
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