Barrier Removal
Getting rid of problems
Situation Room
Scenario 1: Donna and the family diner
Donna is the proud owner of a diner that has been operated by her family since 1980. The diner’s entrance has several steps, and the toilet rooms are not accessible.
Donna has noticed some customers having a hard time with these barriers, and a few customers have asked if she has thought about becoming ADA-compliant. Donna doesn’t like that some people have difficulty with these barriers, but she believes that because the diner was built in 1980, it is “grandfathered” and doesn’t have to be improved. Additionally, she doesn’t think she can afford to solve accessibility problems.
Think about it. What needs to happen?
Donna calls her local ADA Center and finds out that even small improvements to the toilet room can help customers, like installing grab bars at the toilet and replacing round doorknobs with accessible door hardware. She also learns of tax credits and tax deductions for small businesses that can help offset the costs. She even obtains an estimate for a ramp at the entrance and determines that if she puts money aside over the next year, she will be able to have the ramp installed.
The takeaway
Readily achievable barrier removal hinges on making small improvements to pre-ADA buildings that benefit customers. Not all improvements come with a high price tag, and they can make a world of difference to customers. When Donna is ready to renovate the toilet rooms (which do need renovation) she will make them fully accessible, but for now, her readily achievable efforts will improve access.
Scenario 2: Beatrice’s boutique
Beatrice just opened a small boutique where she sells home products and artwork from artisans in her area. She interacts with clients at a high-top table when discussing details of custom orders. Sometimes these discussions take a while. One day, a customer who uses a wheelchair enters the store and wants to discuss custom art prints. Beatrice realizes that she cannot meet with her new customer comfortably, as her table is too high for this conversation.
Think about it. What needs to happen?
Beatrice consults the ADA Checklist to see what an accessible desk looks like, and she determines that it is not beyond her budget to replace the high-top table with a lowered surface that accommodates someone seated in a wheelchair and makes interactions with clients more inclusive. Beatrice also notes that some of the display racks and furnishings in the boutique make it difficult for her client to move around freely, so she re-arranges these items, and “voila” her products and store are more accessible to customers with disabilities.
The takeaway
Sometimes barrier removal efforts can be achieved with little or no cost, just an awareness of obstacles and the intention to make the space more inclusive for everyone. By creating a welcoming space to interact with customers with mobility disabilities and re-arranging some furniture, Beatrice gained a loyal customer.
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.