News & Events

ADA reminds us good access is good business

By Pam Heavens

July is a month of celebrations. Our nation's independence, my birthday (my age notwithstanding) and the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This July marks the official kickoff of the Accessible Cities Alliance. The timing seemed right to share some thoughts.

The 15th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act is quickly approaching. Signed into federal law on July 26, 1990, by George H.W. Bush, the law, in its simplest form, provides Americans with disabilities civil rights protections in such areas as employment, transportation, public accommodations, telecommunications, as well as local and state government. Unbelievably, these protections were never afforded to disabled Americans before the passage of that landmark piece of legislation. I hope that this editorial can serve as an open letter to public accommodations to address the issue of accessibility.

Fifteen years after the ADA's passage, businesses of all kinds are encouraged to re-examine the law and discover how easy compliance can be. Some myths exist today, 15 years hence.

Examples include: The ADA requires businesses to spend lots of money to make their existing facilities accessible.

• Fact: The ADA is built on common sense. The law requires only that public accommodations remove architectural barriers in existing facilities when it is readily achievable, i.e., can be done without much difficulty or expense.
• Myth: The ADA requires businesses to remove barriers overnight.
• Fact: Businesses are required only to do what is readily achievable at that time.
• Myth: The government is no help when it comes to paying for accessibility.
• Fact: Federal tax incentives are available to help meet the cost of ADA compliance. Ask your accountants to investigate Tax Code 44 and Tax Code 190 for information on tax credits related to accessibility. Keep in mind that businesses are encouraged to evaluate their facilities and develop a long-term plan for barrier removal that is commensurate with their resources.
• Myth: the government thinks everything is readily achievable.
• Fact: Businesses are only required to do what is readily achievable at that time. A small business may not be able to install a ramp this year, but if profits improve it will be readily achievable next year.

Business owners of older buildings are encouraged to put aside the fears they may have in becoming accessible. There are some wonderfully accessible older buildings in our area that have made the choice to increase their customer base by becoming accessible.

May I suggest the following handful of simple barrier removal remedies to those businesses operating in older buildings:

1. Get rid of the step into your building and replace it with a ramp. Seniors, moms with strollers, and people with mobility impairments comprise strong buying power.
2. Consider whether there are separate men/women restrooms, or if there is an unused or under-used storage area. Obtain an estimate from qualified sub-contractors on a unisex, accessible restroom.
3. Review the ADA Sub-Contractors members of the Contractors Association of Will and Grundy Counties to secure qualified professionals on any compliance renovations; from paving and parking to door widening and restrooms.
4. If widening the entryway door is cost prohibitive at this time, make a plan in your budget to achieve that next year.
5. Lastly, consider the resources of the Accessible Cities Alliance when planning to make your business or building accessible. Not only is a fully accessible building more valuable from a real estate standpoint, but also it is a way to open the doors of opportunity for increased profits to a large population of new customers.

The Alliance is a coalition of community-wide partners from the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce, to the City of Joliet, County of Will, local banks, media, contractors, architects, disability advocates and other leaders. Contact me for details. I am pleased and honored to join our advisers in promoting the positive premise that Good Access is Good Business.

-Pam Heavens is executive director of the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living in Joliet.

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