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Business Regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act

kp3028 | Aug 28, 2011 |

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Most businesses worry about compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as far as its treatment of employees. The Americans with Disabilities Act, prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodation, communications, and governmental activities. The ADA also establishes requirements for telecommunications relay services. But how does that translate into providing services to other Americans with Disabilities.

Ramps, wide doorways, sufficient and necessary access to buildings for wheelchairs has become commonplace. From parking spaces located close to buildings to buildings able to accommodate wheelchairs that give people more mobility, every American has the right to expect to be able to enjoy anything they want. Specially labeled facilities are just an accepted part of our day to day life, and that is good.

Special accommodations for hard of hearing individuals is made in movie theaters, concert halls, and auditoriums. Many have been fitted with special amplification systems, that use special headsets to enable hard of hearing individuals to enjoy the same show or event being performed as everyone else.

Sign language interpreters need to be provided to give access to those who use sign language as a method of communication. These people may have hearing loss that surpasses just being 'hard of hearing' and where an amplification device will not provide the necessary ability to hear and understand what is going on around them. Deaf and hard of hearing individuals know exactly what they are entitled to, and can request that they be provided with the necessary tools for communication.

If a disabled individual believes that their special needs and/or their civil rights are not being met they can report the offending company or institution to department within their state government that handles, disability complaints. When a company is found to be in non-compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, it could result in a lawsuit and fine. Avoiding the law suit and fine could be done by providing a sign language interpreter for the deaf persons use.