Eight Questions for ADA Compliance

Maintenance and engineering managers in institutional and commercial facilities often face a difficult challenge in determining whether their facilities comply with ADA accessibility guidelines. These eight questions can help managers determine their organizations' level of risk for an ADA complaint:

1. Have we evaluated the facility for ADA barriers?
2. Have we been performing readily achievable barrier removal since January 1992?
3. Have we ensured that any modifications, alterations, additions or new construction after 1992 were in full compliance with the 1991 standards?
4. Have we ensured that the facility's accessibility features — door closers, sidewalks, ramps, handrails, grab bars, etc. — are maintained in working order?
5. Have we converted to the 2010 ADA Standards for any barrier removal, alterations or construction?
6. Have we looked at the new standards for policies and procedures that went into effect on March 15, 2011, for service animals, effective communication, mobility devices and ticket sales?
7. Have we reviewed elements contained in the 2010 ADA standards and put together a plan to review our facility for those areas and elements?
8. Have we been documenting all of our ADA compliance efforts?

Each "no" answer increases risk. But it is not too late to take the actions to turn your no answers to yes. Even if you cannot bring all of your facilities into immediate compliance, taking action will at least show that you are making a good-faith effort to remove barriers, comply with ADA standards, and maintain the accessible features of your facility.

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