How to build a handicap accessible business

When you are building a business and are speaking with a General Contractor in Florida and South Florida you want to make sure that you discuss the handicap accessible options for your establishment. Accessible practices can be good for everyone and including more people in your business can give you access to a larger pool of potential customers.  Including everyone is more than just the right thing to do and accessibility can be seen as a smart business decision overall. Each year since its passage, more people with disabilities are entering the workforce, earning income, and spending and consuming goods. Good access makes good business sense. By reaching customers with disabilities, businesses obtain more customers and improve their image. It is safe to say that accessibility benefits all members of society including people with disabilities. Improving accessibility brings about increased quality of life; creates more independence and better social integration. It also leads to better health and can result in cost saving in a number of areas. In this article we will discuss how to ensure that your business is properly built handicap accessible and some measures to take for assurance. Let’s get started!

Building a business comes with many steps to take in the process. Checking into handicap accessibility is a very important one. You want to be able to serve everyone and have your place of business built to accommodate anyone who would like to enter the establishment. Being accessible is the key to having a workforce that is productive and content. Employers that don’t consider accessibility will have a team that may struggle to reach their goals, which in turn will lead to frustrations and potentially even resignations, resulting in loss of talent and poor morale. Companies can keep them longer by demonstrating they value their business through accessible digital and customer service experiences. Increasing retention rates by 5% can increase profits by up to 95%, but customer retention is reduced by a lack of accessibility. What is accessibility disability? Accessibility. Accessibility is when the needs of people with disabilities are specifically considered, and products, services, and facilities are built or modified so that they can be used by people of all abilities. The general contractor in Florida can help you determine where all the accesses need to be placed.

Some of these features may be, features such as low-slope ramps, power-assisted doors, elevators and accessible washrooms are often used to improve building accessibility. At the same time, lighting, signage and even the color of the walls can impact how user-friendly a space is. All businesses, even those that do not serve the public, must comply with accessible design standards when constructing or altering facilities.  Below I will list the ADA Regulations and Existing Facilities:

1. Adding curb cuts to sidewalks and entrances.
2. Rearranging furniture such as tables, chairs, vending machines, and display racks.
3. Widening doors.
4. Using accessible door hardware.
5. Moving toilet partitions to increase space for maneuvering.
6. Eliminating high pile, low-density carpets.

The ADA covers employers with 15 or more employees, including state and local governments. It also applies to employment agencies and to labor organizations. The ADA’s nondiscrimination standards also apply to federal sector employees under section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, and its implementing rules. Essentially, any business that regularly serves the public is considered a public accommodation, but private clubs or religious organizations are considered exempt. Be sure to speak with your general contractor and let them go over the process with you. This is an essential step to a successful business and an equal opportunity work environment.

Taylor Builders is a full-scale General Contractor servicing the Tri-County area of South Florida and beyond providing ground up construction and addition services. If you are in Florida, or South Florida and are looking for a general contractor to help you make you home or establishment more handicap friendly, contact Taylor Builders Fl today so we can help you in the process.