Do ADA Installations Increase Revenue?

International Symbol of Accessibility

Here is a question for you. If you install ADA accessibility features at your place of business, will that increase your revenue? Well, did you know that approximately 25% of Americans have some sort of disability? That is approximately 81,000,000 people! And the number with disabilities will only increase as the population of Americans ages. Plus, frequently when a disabled person is out in public spaces they are accompanied by another person who is not disabled. Based on these facts, would it be smart to make sure these people have good access to your place of business? The short answer is YES, ADA installations DO increase revenue!!

Now for the long answer. Disabled people still want to live their lives as fully as those who are not disabled. Including spending their money as they see fit. So regardless of your type of business, it would clearly be in the best interest of your top and bottom line (revenue) to insure your place of business is up to date on ADA accessibility so those disabled Americans can bring you their money! Not only will this have a positive impact on your bottom line, it may avoid costly litigation and a public relations hit. Plus it is the morally correct thing to do. So there are many reasons to make sure your business is ADA accessible.

So how do you do that? First, make sure someone in your business is aware of the current ADA laws. Normally this person is referred to as the ADA Coordinator (ADAC). An ADAC is not required by law for public accommodations or commercial facilities but recommended by the US Department of Justice. All public entities in each state are responsible for compliance with the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. In addition, some states and municipalities have additional code or laws for accessibility standards. This responsibility is best handled by the ADAC. Depending on the size of your company, the ADAC may be able to handle all this responsibility, or these duties may be split amount two or more people in your organization.

The ADAC should prepare a Self Evaluation Plan (SEP) and a Transition Plan (TP). The SEP and TP are living documents that are updated periodically, recommended at least annually, to make sure your business is compliant. The SEP is a comprehensive review of all programs, activities, buildings, and services operated by the entity. After the SEP is complete, a TP is created to bring these elements into compliance. I know, it sounds difficult and expensive. Maybe. That depends on the complexity and condition of your business. But in the long run it is worth it. Remember, 81 million people are looking for places to spend their time and money. If your business is not ADA accessible, you may miss out on your share.

If you observe a building that is not ADA compliant and you would like to know how to proceed, please see the link at What To Do When A Building Is Not ADA Compliant or Accessible.

ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, offers ADA/ABA/FHA accessibility compliance inspections for buildings and facilities, as applicable to the different laws, and expert witness services with respect to ADA/ABA/FHA laws for building owners, tenants and managers. Also, ADAIN offers consulting for home modifications as a CAPS consultant for people wishing to age in place in their homes. For a complete list of services please see ADAIN Services.