Is Your Building ADA Accessible?

CLEVELAND -- July is ‘Disability Pride Month,’ a good time to reflect on the achievements of people with disabilities, and a timely reminder for building owners, facility managers, architects, contractors and the public to assess the accessibility of public spaces.

The American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM) encourages building managers to see Disability Pride Month as an opportunity for an honest assessment of their facility’s accessibility.
If it needs upgrades, don’t delay. Enhancements like automatic doors are investments that open doors to thousands of potential customers, clients, and visitors.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law in July 1990, laid the groundwork for accessibility rights. That same year, Boston hosted the first Disability Pride Day. In 2015, the first Disability Pride Month was celebrated to commemorate the ADA’s 25th anniversary, and it has since become a yearly observance.

Despite the ADA’s impact, it notably does not mandate automatic doors at public entrances. However, the International Building Code (IBC) 1105.1.1, championed by accessibility advocates and AAADM, requires automatic doors at certain public entrances based on occupant load thresholds. Still, many public spaces remain difficult or even impossible for individuals with mobility challenges to access.

Simple upgrades like ramps, widened entrances, and automatic doors can significantly enhance independence and inclusion.

The American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM) is a trade association of manufacturers of automatic pedestrian door systems.

For more, go to www.aaadm.com.