ADA compliance is one of the most important aspects of construction, as you want to maintain accessibility to all customers, guests, and visitors on your property. Failure to comply with ADA regulations can cost your business if you are cited, or worse, open you up to potential liability for not providing a safe environment for all.

In recent years,  we have seen an uptick in lawsuits regarding ADA compliance. One man has now filed over 2,000 disability lawsuits in California – and he’s not alone. In 2018, there were over 10,000 ADA suits filed, and that number only continues to rise as more plaintiffs catch wind of this profitable tactic. Under California’s Unruh Act, plaintiffs can recover a minimum of $4,000 if any violation is found, in addition to any attorney’s fees and damages. As you can see, taking the time to ensure your facility is fully ADA compliant can save you thousands, if not tens of thousands, in potential lawsuits.

The term “ADA” came to fruition in the the early 1990s after an act was passed against the prohibition of discrimination against people with disabilities.

More specifically, in the world of construction, it means making sure that all aspects of public buildings and businesses are easily accessible, as well as safe for those with disabilities.

Parking lots must follow a strict set of guidelines laid out by he U.S. Department of Justice in order to maintain compliance. Here are just a few of the requirements:

• A minimum number of Accessible parking spaces must be allotted based on the total number of parking stalls available on site
• Depending on the total number of regular and accessible parking spaces, there must also be a specified number of van-accessible parking spaces
• Accessible parking spaces must be in a specified location with the shortest accessible route of travel to the facility entrance
• Accessible parking spaces must meet specific signage requirements in regards to size, height, and content
• Accessible parking spaces must meet specific size requirements
• Boundaries around accessible spaces and ramps must meet specific striping and painting requirements
• Accessible spaces, ramps, and other areas of travel must meet specific slope requirements

At Macadam Construction, we take pride in meeting every requirement for ADA compliance on all of our projects.

A few examples of ADA-compliant construction additions include*:

• Hand rails
• Ramps
• Doorway construction
• Entrance and exit construction
• Grading of accessible parking stalls

*This is not an exhaustive list

Want to educate yourself or your staff on parking lot ADA requirements? Download our free guide!

*Requirements subject to change per the DOJ.