If you’re a business owner with the goal to make your facility more accessible to clients and consumers, , you may have heard the phrase ADA.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law, and its goal is to ensure that people with health conditions or impairments are provided with equal opportunities to participate in society, including in employment, transportation, public accommodations, and government services.
It’s important to understand what the ADA is and what ADA stands for to ensure you have met all the legal requirements of making a space accessible.
At Freedom Showers, our dedicated team works hard to ensure you receive the products most suited to your needs. Our goal is to assist you in finding the best solutions to create a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere for commercial and residential spaces.
When shopping for products to improve accessibility, you will want to know what it means to be ADA compliant and why it’s so important., as ADA is required for commercial and public buildings. Use our guide to ADA compliance to take the first step in creating a welcoming facility.
What is the Meaning of ADA?
When attempting to accommodate accessibility needs, a common question arises: what is the ADA law? As mentioned earlier, the ADA aims to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities. It is designed to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
For example, the bathroom is one of the top-used areas in both a public and residential setting. Lack of ADA compliance can make it challenging for individuals with mobility issues or other limitations to use the space comfortably.
Thanks to the ADA act, it is easier for organizations to create a space where everyone can operate independently. An accessible bathroom will include easy access walk in showers eliminating barriers that otherwise exist when entering and exiting the area.
When was the ADA Passed?
The ADA was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 and is one of the most significant pieces of civil rights legislation for people living with disabilities.
What is ADA Compliant?
If you want to make your facility more inclusive, it’s essential to understand what does ADA compliant mean before shopping for products or starting a renovation project. The ADA has several key provisions designed to protect the rights of people with disabilities. One of the most important is the requirement that public accommodations and commercial facilities be accessible to people with disabilities. This includes stores, restaurants, hotels, theaters, and other places where the public gathers.
When a facility or service meets all the requirements of the ADA, it is considered ADA compliant. This means that it is accessible to people living with disabilities and provides them with equal opportunities to participate in society.
At Freedom Showers, we ensure we are ADA compliant by following the ADA requirements when manufacturing our products. For example, our ADA walk-in shower and roll-in showers have a minimum inside dimension of 60”x30” and a finished threshold no higher than half an inch. Transfer showers must have an inside dimension of 36” x 36”.
When we create our ADA tile shower, we also follow the ADA guidelines to confirm that the shower base wheelchair access. Our products are the ideal choice as they are safe and available in numerous sizes and colors.
We also create our ADA roll-in shower stalls for wheelchair access with ADA guidelines in mind by ensuring they are 60” x 30”, as this is a requirement for commercial bathroom projects that aim to meet the ADA code compliance.
Choosing the right products can seem overwhelming, especially with the information available today. So, our expert client service team is equipped with vast knowledge to ensure they are a part of your buying journey from discovery to delivery.
What is the Purpose of the ADA?
The ADA is an important piece of legislation that has helped increase access and opportunities for individuals living with disabilities in the United States, and the ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in many ways. For example, employers must make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities to ensure they have an equal opportunity to succeed in the workplace.
Another purpose of the ADA is to reduce the risk of injury that individuals with people with health conditions or impairments may sustain due to a fall. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are a common problem; each year, three million seniors fall and get injured. One of the fall fives typically results in a severe injury, such as broken bones or a head injury.
Many falls often happen in the bathroom, as the space can be dangerous for seniors. The wet surfaces, slippery floors, and lack of things to hold on to can pose significant health risks. Freedom Showers understands the need to be safe and comfortable in a bathroom, so we offer a variety of products in addition to our showers.
Our products that can boost bathroom safety include our ADA shower bench, and ADA shower grab bars designed to protect you, your clients, and your loved ones.
What Qualifies as An ADA Disability?
When designing a space to make it more accessible, many people ask what is considered a disability under the ADA?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities may include walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, performing manual tasks, and caring for oneself. The ADA does not name each impairment covered, but according to the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, it “prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, State and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications.”
Once you understand what qualifies as an ADA disability, it will be easier to consider the needs of different individuals or groups to comply with ADA guidelines. For example, if your bathroom is challenging for people with health conditions or impairments to use independently, it may be helpful to make a few changes.
You can opt for ADA Transfer or ADA Roll in showers, with folding benches, and grab bars. It is also essential to choose the right ADA grab bar height for showers to enhance accessibility and be compliant.
Contact our accessibility professionals to learn more about what is a disability under the ADA and how to choose the right products for your facility or residence.
Becoming ADA Compliant
Achieving ADA compliance can seem complex, but it doesn’t have to be. At Freedom Showers, we don’t just supply products – we provide all the guidance you need to make the process seamless. Contact our expert customer service team and choose from our high-quality, customizable options in accessible, safe, and stylish bathrooms.