Ten years ago, many retail stores met the fate of receiving lawsuits for failure to comply with ADA requirements. Allowing these suggestions and regulations to fall through the cracks resulted in an estimated total of $100 million.
What most business owners may fail to realize is that it takes more than a dream and equipment to ensure your business’s success. If your store doesn’t accommodate customers of different abilities and walks of life, you run the risk of losing business and violating ADA standards.
Continue reading to learn four ways to create an ADA compliant retail store that can promote remediable solutions.
Aisles and Shelves
Customers who use assisting technology like wheelchairs, crutches, and other mobility equipment will experience shopping at retail stores differently than others. For this reason, it helps to incorporate widened aisles and place heavier items on lower shelves of your store.
You can also encourage your team to assist patrons with carrying or lowering items to avoid inconveniences.
Service and Sales Counters
ADA compliant service counters are a necessity when delivering an experience that accommodates all patrons. You can ensure your POS terminal is ADA compliant along with counter space by reconstructing the height of your station.
If reconstruction is too costly, it would be wise to incorporate an accessible alternative near the original station.
Entrances and Doors
It’s best practice to establish a 32-inch clearance space between the face of the entry and the stopping point where the door reaches 90 degrees. Doing so accommodates customers who utilize crutches, wheelchairs, and other assisting devices upon entering your establishment.
To ensure guests have the most space, consider choosing offset hinges that add extra clearance. You can also install push-button and automatic entrances to make entering more accessible.
Stairways and Ramps
Stairways and ramps are other forms of entry for customers to use. With the ADA making changes to several requirements, updated standards require establishments to have two accessible exterior entrances. In this case, it would be wise to install a permanent ramp that allows for easier travel.
As a retail store owner, you’ll come across certain challenges that determine how you approach your business setup. You would benefit from creating an ADA compliant retail store since it not only makes your business accessible but also helps you avoid unexpected lawsuits.