{"id":8585,"date":"2025-03-10T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-10T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/ada-requirements-for-businesses\/"},"modified":"2025-10-16T23:35:52","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T04:35:52","slug":"ada-requirements-for-businesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/ada-requirements-for-businesses\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Must-Have ADA Requirements for Businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All businesses should\u200b\u200b be familiar with compliance, particularly when it comes to accessibility. These requirements benefit the public and ensure that disabilities don’t exclude people from participating in daily life.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the main requirements of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/general\/topic\/disability\/ada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Americans with Disabilities Act<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (ADA) include having clear and visible signage, accessible entryways, ADA-compliant websites, and more.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are several ways your business can follow ADA requirements for businesses so all customers can find their way.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-identify-architectural-barriers\"><strong>1. Identify architectural barriers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Architectural barriers could prevent someone with a disability from accessing a space. This can include stairs, uneven flooring, a lack of seating, or hard-to-reach areas of your store. Your business needs to identify all architectural barriers and either remove or provide accommodations in some way.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, if you have an entryway with steps, you must have a secondary entryway with a ramp. Additionally, your business must have easily visible signage that directs people to the accessible entrance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-create-alternate-ways-to-access-your-business\"><strong>2. Create alternate ways to access your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your business may have architectural barriers that can\u2019t be easily removed or changed. For example, if the sidewalk is too narrow, there might not be enough space to build a ramp with an accessible incline. In this instance, an accessible solution could be to provide curbside pickup or delivery options.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll also want to communicate these alternatives to your customers <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on your c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ompany website, social media, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">with<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> highly visible signage like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/stainless-steel-letters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stainless steel lettering<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> near your entryways.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-use-adacompliant-signage\"><strong>3. Use ADA-compliant signage<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you use signs to communicate accessibility, they must be ADA-compliant. These guidelines include using:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High contrast colors<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/best-fonts-for-signs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy-to-read fonts<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tactile (braille) characters<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Correct pictograms<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/standard-plaque-sizes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appropriate size<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and height<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visible location<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can use a variety of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/outdoor-sign-material\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">durable sign materials<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for ADA-compliant signage, like bronze ADA signage, which looks professional and lasts longer than cheaper alternatives.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ada-compliant-signage-example.jpg\" alt=\"A stainless steel sign with braille marks stairs.\" class=\"wp-image-7565\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-assess-your-parking-and-business-entrances\"><strong>4. Assess your parking and business entrances<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are specific ADA requirements for your business\u2019s parking and entrances. One of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ada.gov\/regs2010\/smallbusiness\/smallbusprimer2010.htm#entrances\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ADA parking requirements<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is that you have one accessible parking spot for every 25 parking spots (or at least one accessible spot if there are fewer than 25 spots total.)&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The accessible spots must be wide enough for people who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids to safely exit their vehicles. It also requires that one-sixth of all parking spaces be large enough to accommodate a van.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ramps are another way to create more accessible parking and entryway options. If your only entrance has steps, a ramp can be a solution. If there are multiple entrances, you should use <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/cut-aluminum-letters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">aluminum ADA signage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to identify accessible entrances.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-integrate-website-accessibility\"><strong>5. Integrate website accessibility<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your website is a good way to brand your business, so it’s important that all your customers can use it effectively. Ensure your website is easy to use for people who are visually, intellectually, or hearing impaired.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is a special set of standards that are widely used and adhered to, called the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/WAI\/research\/user-requirements\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. WCAG has a checklist of criteria that they have identified as making a website accessible to peo<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ple wi<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th disabilities. These standards include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using colors with proper contrast<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adding alt text to images<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compatibility with screen reading software<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-make-it-known-that-you-welcome-service-animals\"><strong>6. Make it known that you welcome service animals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Businesses are required to welcome <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ada.gov\/service_animals_2010.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">service animals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in any area where the public is allowed to go. There are exceptions to this requirement, such as situations when sanitation could be an issue, but businesses need to make reasonable accommodations. For example, a hotel can ban service animals from its indoor pool but can’t ban them from the pool room.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most convenient ways to communicate that service animals are allowed in your business is to have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/metal-letters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">custom signage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at your accessible entryways.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-use-modular-furniture\"><strong>7. Use modular furniture<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The right furniture is important for both customers and employees. For employees, the ADA requires all workplace furniture (chairs, desks, etc.) to be a certain height to accommodate wheelchairs or crutches.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Combining motorized standing desks with adjustable chairs makes accommodating any customer or employee easy.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-install-elevators\"><strong>8. Install elevators<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your business has multiple levels open to the public, you must have elevators for people with mobility issues. There are a few requirements to ensure an elevator meets ADA standards:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Buttons: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buttons must be an appropriate height and marked with Braille.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Operation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The doors must give passengers ample time to enter the elevator.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Path: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There must be an accessible way to get from the entrance to the elevator.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Signage: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ADA-accessible elevator must be clearly marked.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Size: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At least one elevator car must be large enough to accommodate mobility aids, such as wheelchairs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, businesses with multiple floors need to have clearly marked fire escapes. Bronze fire escape signage is an effective and professional way to identify these areas.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ada-compliant-sign-fire-escape.jpg\" alt=\"Example of a bronze fire escape sign.\" class=\"wp-image-7564\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-upgrade-restrooms\"><strong>9. Upgrade restrooms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure that all restroom locations have at least one accessible stall. A few of the biggest <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.access-board.gov\/ada\/guides\/chapter-6-toilet-rooms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ADA restroom requirements<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hand-operated flush handles must be on the side of the toilet with the most clearance.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There must be a grab bar beside and behind the toilet.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The toilet paper dispenser must be accessible from the toilet.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There must be enough space for a person using a wheelchair to turn and navigate, even if the door is open.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All handles for the sink must be accessible.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You’ll also need appropriate signage so users know which restrooms or stalls are accessible.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ada-compliant-sign-restroom.jpg\" alt=\"A bronze plaque with Braille lettering marks an accessible women's restroom.\" class=\"wp-image-7567\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-install-fixtures-appropriately\"><strong>10. Install fixtures appropriately<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must install certain fixtures appropriately, such as light fixtures, elevator buttons, door handles, water fountains, telephones, and shelving counters.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, heavy doors should have a button that opens them automatically for anyone with potential mobility issues.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy swaps like motion sensor light switches (which also have environmental benefits) also ensure no one gets left in the dark.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"are-any-businesses-exempt-from-ada-requirements\"><strong>Are any businesses exempt from ADA requirements?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Very few businesses are exempt from ADA requirements. Typically, exempt businesses are religious organizations or social clubs where members pay fees. However, there are certain situations where ADA requirements are different:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Historic structures<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: There are different standards to protect “historic properties” while maximizing accessibility.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Budgetary constraints: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the cost of constructing accessible alterations costs more than 20% of the overall project, then certain alterations are prioritized to ensure the price doesn’t exceed 20%.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Residency: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Places of residency, such as college dorms, have different standards depending on the number of people who live there.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"funding-accessible-requirements\"><strong>Funding accessible requirements<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ADA requirements can be costly, and there aren’t any ADA exemptions for small businesses. However, there are some ways business owners can alleviate this financial stress. First, as we mentioned above, there’s an economic limit to the requirements of accessible projects during a renovation.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If fulfilling these requirements is 20% of the total budget or more, then the business should prioritize renovations in this order up to that 20% threshold:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accessible entrance<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accessible route to the renovated area<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accessible restroom&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accessible phone<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accessible drinking fountain<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other elements<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Businesses can also <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.ada.gov\/taxcred.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">claim a deduction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of up to $15,000 per year, depending on their size, revenue, project costs, and other factors.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"level-up-your-ada-signage-with-impact-signs\"><strong>Level Up Your ADA Signage with Impact Signs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let your employees and customers know they’re welcome, no matter their differences. With help from Impact Signs, you can ensure your business’s accessible features are clearly marked for everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/quote\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get a quote<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> today to see how we can help you meet ADA’s requirements for businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stay ahead with ADA compliance by focusing on the essentials \u2014 clear signage, accessible spaces, and customer-friendly layouts. This quick-read guide covers what every business owner needs to know.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8589,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[710,1],"tags":[716],"class_list":["post-8585","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-architectural-signage","category-business-signage","tag-business-signs","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-25","no-featured-image-padding","resize-featured-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8585","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8585"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8585\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8585"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8585"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.impactsigns.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8585"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}