Be Prepared For New ADA Regulations

08/20/08

Parking spaces, stairways, light switches, drinking fountains … nearly every aspect of your workplace must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). But even if you are in compliance now, you may need to make changes when the government issues revised regulations.

Under review

The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability, and that includes making sure facilities are readily accessible to and usable by disabled individuals. Last year, the U.S. Access Board published revised ADA accessibility guidelines. Years in the making, these guidelines don’t become law until the Department of Justice applies them to the actual ADA standards. And that’s what the department is in the process of doing now.

Impact on existing facilities

The ADA is far-reaching for new or altered public and commercial facilities. The Department of Justice is considering how these revised standards will apply to existing buildings. The goal is to prevent unnecessary financial burdens on businesses already in compliance with the current standards.

For example, current ADA standards require a light switch to be no higher than 54 inches. The revised ADA standards lower that to 48 inches. Facilities that were never in compliance would need to comply with the revised standards. But the question is: Would facilities already in compliance at 54 inches be required to retrofit to 48 inches? Considering the extent of the ADA revisions – affecting everything from plumbing and pools to bathrooms and break rooms – how the Department of Justice decides will directly impact businesses like yours.

Stay informed

Currently, there is no launch date for new ADA regulations. But G.Neil will stay on top of developments to help keep you in compliance.

Additional information about ADA

July, 2005