Physical Access
Doors, floors, and more
Situation Room
Scenario 1: Judy, the salon, and the ramp
Judy, a young mother, is proud to be opening her own hair salon, a lifelong dream of hers. As she goes through the process of renovating the salon and making the improvements required by the city’s code enforcement department, she is surprised to find out that she needs to provide an accessible entrance (currently there are two steps to enter the salon). Judy is not happy that she has pay to have a ramp installed and thinks this as an unnecessary expense, as she doesn’t believe that any of her clients have a problem with steps. Judy assumes that providing a ramp is just a “box to check” in order to open the salon.
Think about it. What needs to happen?
Judy obtains some quotes and has the ramp installed, ensuring that it complies with the ADA Standards. The day after the work is completed, Judy realizes how much easier it is to enter the salon with her daughter in a stroller.
About a week later, Judy gets a call from a person who wants to schedule hair appointments for a wedding in an accessible salon. This is because the Mother of the Bride uses a wheelchair and the bride wants herself, her bridesmaids, and her mother to get their hair and makeup done together. Judy is very proud to say “Yes, the salon is accessible!” The wedding party arrives, and Judy is in her element, styling hair and doing makeup.
As Judy is wrapping up that night, a delivery person arrives with cases of shampoo and supplies. Judy notices that the delivery person rolls a dolly cart up the ramp to bring the boxes into the salon.
The takeaway
Judy didn’t realize then, but does now, that installing the ramp was money well spent. An accessible business benefits everyone; even people without obvious disabilities may have needs that are best met with a more accessible environment. The value of accessibility isn’t just to your customers (with and without disabilities), it also benefits your staff and your bottom line!
Scenario 2: David, the doctor, and the mysterious door
David, who is blind and uses a cane, arrives at a small medical building to meet a doctor for a new patient visit. When David arrives at the building, he easily locates the elevator and arrives on the second floor where he was told the office is located when he booked the appointment.
Once he exits the elevator though, David realizes that the signs on the doors along the corridor do not have any braille characters on them. At the end of the corridor, he discovers a door in front of him and one to his left and one to his right, presumably for different medical offices. David has no idea which door leads to the office he is trying to get to, because accessible signage is not provided.
Think about it. What needs to happen?
For people who are blind to identify areas such as offices, accessible signage with braille and raised characters is required. Each office along this corridor should have this signage so patients who are blind can easily and safely find the correct office independently. David mentions this to the receptionist when he checks in, and she shares that she never thought of this before but will let management know that this needs to be addressed quickly.
The takeaway
Don’t forget that accessibility isn’t just about ensuring access for people with mobility disabilities. Individuals who are blind must have equal access to your business, and providing accessible signage is essential for allowing them to do that independently. Providing this signage also shows that you have taken the time to think inclusively of all your visitors’ needs.
The scenarios, including all names, characters, and incidents portrayed on this page are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, or products is intended or should be inferred.