Last updated 3 days ago
Our latest blogs discussed injuries that tactile warnings can prevent, lesser-known ADA guidelines, common problems with unmarked crosswalks, and the areas where businesses should install tactile warnings. Explore the links below to find out more about these topics. To learn about the tactile warning options available to you, call ADA Solutions, Inc. today at (888) 485-5726.
Last updated 4 days ago
Detectable Warning Systems are implemented in order to increase the safety of pedestrians. Check out some of the resources below to learn more about the safety of tactile warning systems. To learn about the tactile warning options available to you, call ADA Solutions, Inc. today at (888) 485-5726.
- WalkingInfo.org discusses additional guidelines for increasing crosswalk safety.
- This article from Transportation for America discusses the importance of providing safe crosswalks for pedestrians and those with disabilities.
- To learn more about the importance of detectable warnings, visit AccessForBlind.org for a discussion of research supporting the use of tactile warnings.
- For more information on the serious nature of sprained ankles, take a look at this article from The New York Times.
- Learn more about the complications that can accompany a fractured wrist or hand in this article from the Mayo Clinic.
Last updated 10 days ago
Tactile warning signs are important for signaling that a sidewalk is ending to those with impaired vision. Without tactile warning signs, people are more likely to step off of a curb unprepared or walk into a busy street unknowingly. Here are just a few of the serious injuries that can be prevented through the use of tactile warning signs.
- Bone Fractures: When people begin to fall, the natural instinct is to extend either one or both hands in front of the body for cushioning. Often, this results in fractured bones in the hands, wrists, or arms. Broken bones also result from falls when people lean back or to the side when falling, causing their hips or shoulders to take the brunt of the impact. Treatment for a fractured bone generally requires a cast that is often worn for at least a month. Surgery may also be required to treat bone fractures.
- Sprained Ankles: When a person steps off of an unexpected curb, he or she may suffer a sprained ankle. This injury occurs when walkers expect the ground to be higher and set their feet down at an angle, causing the foot to roll, the ankle to twist, and the person to fall. During a sprain, the ligaments of the ankle are stretched or torn, causing pain and swelling. Full recovery from a sprain requires resting and protecting the ankle, which can take several weeks. Without proper treatment, chronic pain can occur in the ankle.
- Chronic Back Pain: Injuries to the back are also common when people fall due to unexpected changes in their paths. Treatment for back injuries may require pain medication, chiropractic adjustments, and physical rehabilitation over the course of several months. Even with treatment, back injuries can continue to cause pain and stiffness for several years after the fall.
By installing detectable tactile warnings on grade changes and curbs, you can help prevent pedestrians from suffering these injuries. For more information, call ADA Solutions, Inc. today at (888) 485-5726.
Last updated 12 days ago
The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, contains an extensive list of guidelines to allow individuals with disabilities to successfully navigate different paths. You or your organization may not be aware of some of the requirements for detectable warning signs. At ADA Solutions, Inc., we can help you identify where you should install detectable warnings, provide ADA-compliant tactile warning signals, and install these important features.
4.7.7 – Detectable Warnings at Curb Ramps
This guideline requires that curb ramps have tactile warning signs that are 24 inches long and the full width of the curb. This guideline is necessary because those with vision impairment often use curbs as signals to indicate when they are entering a street. It can be more difficult to detect entrance onto a road when walking down an unmarked curb.
4.29.5 – Detectable Warnings at Hazardous Vehicular Areas
In areas where a walking path joins a vehicular way without any separation between the two areas, such as a curb or railing, there must be a 36 inch-wide detectable warning sign in place. This detectable warning must be continuous along the entire boundary between the pedestrian path and the vehicular area.
4.29.6 – Detectable Warnings at Reflecting Pools
Reflecting pools are bodies of shallow water that are often found in parks and plazas. The edges of reflecting pools in public places must be protected by railings, walls, or curbs or be surrounded by detectable warning signs.
10.3.1(8) – Detectable Warnings at Platform Edges
There are specific requirements for detectable warnings at transportation facilities. Platform edges that border drop-offs must be protected by a guardrail or screen or have a detectable warning that is 24 inches wide and runs the entire length of the platform.
By installing detectable warnings, you can help maintain public safety. To learn more about ADA guidelines and detectable warnings, call ADA Solutions, Inc. today at (888) 485-5726.
Last updated 17 days ago
There are several guidelines in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that apply to businesses. Included in those guidelines are requirements for detectable warnings. Tactile paving with truncated domes is the ideal detectable warning system because it makes a unique sound when struck with a cane and has a noticeable pattern when stepped upon. As a business owner, there are several areas where you should install tactile warnings.
- Parking Lots: It is necessary to install detectable warnings in areas where walking paths do not have curbs or railings to separate them from an area of motor vehicle traffic. The most common area for this type of transition is in the parking lot of your business. A tactile warning signal that is 36 inches wide should be installed along the entire boundary between the pedestrian and vehicular areas.
- Sidewalks: It is necessary to equip sidewalks with ramps that allow those in wheelchairs, as well as individuals pushing walkers or strollers, to easily access the sidewalk. However, curb ramps can make it difficult for those with impaired vision to sense the end of the walking path. Tactile paving on curb ramps is a signal to those who are visually impaired that they are walking on a ramp and exiting the pedestrian walkway, preventing falls and traffic accidents.
- Transportation Platforms: If your business is a transportation facility, there are additional areas where you must use detectable warnings. Tactile paving that is 24 inches wide should be installed along the entire length of platform edges that are not protected by railings. The detectable warning should be placed at the edge of the designated pedestrian boundary or where vehicle paths can overlap with the platform.
At ADA Solutions, Inc., we provide several types of tactile paving to help your company remain ADA compliant. To learn more about ADA’s guidelines for detectable warnings, call us today at (888) 485-5726.
