3 Tips to Make Your Business More Handicap Accessible

Do you want to make your business completely accessible to people with disabilities?

Nobody should ever be made to feel unwelcome or that they are a nuisance. They should be able to go where they please and when they want to.

Unfortunately, this is still not a reality for people with disabilities. Too often, businesses don't prioritize accessibility and, as such, inconvenience customers and employees.

But, this doesn't have to be the same story for your business.

In this article, we'll share 3 tips on how to make your business handicap accessible. By implementing these, you'll ensure everyone has equal access regardless of their physical abilities.

Read on for more information.

1. Make Accessibility a Priority

The worst thing you can do is have a business that customers can't access.

Sadly this is a common problem for wheelchair users. Businesses don't assess whether people using wheelchairs can gain entry until it's too late.

Not only does this lose your revenue, but it's a negative image for the organization.

Fortunately, you can avoid this situation by installing permanent ramps. They're not too costly and can be built very quickly.

Finally, if you offer a transportation service, you need access to ramps or lifts for wheelchairs specialized for vehicles. By having these to hand, your customers can enter and exit the vehicle safely.

2. Create Space Inside

A true wheelchair-accessible business doesn't just make entry to the premises easy. Instead, it considers the customer's abilities and accommodates them appropriately.

This means that the layout must be designed to allow wheelchair users to move around freely.

If your premises have aisles, then make them as wide as possible. You should also ensure that no obstacles are present such as overflow stock.

It's also important to consider staff as well.

If you want to create a handicap-accessible office, then you should implement the previous steps. But, you should also ensure you have things like height-adjustable desks and access to a disabled bathroom.

3. Focus on the Small Things As well

It's easy to focus on the big issues and neglect the small ones.

For example, if you own a restaurant business, are your menus easy to read? If a customer has an assistance animal, can they sit somewhere safe?

These are common things that business owners overlook, but they're necessary to ensure you're ADA compliant. 

What is ADA Compliant?

ADA stands for 'Americans With Disabilities Act,' which became law in 1990. 

In simple terms, it prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. This means that everything about your business is ADA compliant, even down to your website.

If you fail to ensure this, you could face legal action.

How to Create a Handicap Accessible Business?

We hope this guide has been both useful and informative to you.

As you can see, there are a few steps you need to take before you achieve a handicap accessible business. However, you won't discriminate against any person by doing so, and it'll have a positive effect on your company image.

Finally, if you need any advice, then feel free to contact us.