What You Probably Didn't Know About the Americans with Disabilities Act

Last updated 11 months ago

Before the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, millions of Americans were unable to enjoy many of the same opportunities that fellow citizens often take for granted. For example, many public buildings and transit systems were completely inaccessible to wheelchair-bound individuals. Luckily, the ADA has brought profound changes, such as mandatory tactile warning systems at every crosswalk. Here are a few facts that you may not have known about this remarkable piece of legislation:

It’s considered civil rights legislation
Just as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination based on race, gender, and religion, so has the Americans with Disabilities Act outlawed discrimination based on disability. If an employee with a disability is qualified for a particular job, the employer cannot legally terminate that employee or withhold advancement based on his disability. Every American is granted certain rights and should have full access to the same opportunities regardless of disability—that’s why the ADA is such an important law.
It affects every American community
Since millions of Americans have disabilities, the ADA affects every American community. The ADA not only created regulations for employment, but also for dozens of other aspects of life. For example, all public buildings and public transportation systems must have ramps, elevators, or other means of accessibility.
It includes tactile warning system requirements
You can see the effects of the ADA on literally every street corner in most American cities. The Americans with Disability Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) call for all new curb ramps to be outfitted with truncated dome tactile warning systems. These guidelines even describe the optimum size for these truncated domes, as well as their proper alignment on sidewalk curbs and transit platforms.

If you have any questions about the ADA or tactile warning systems, don’t hesitate to contact ADA Solutions, Inc. Our truncated domes are fully compliant with ADA regulations and can be found on city curbs and transit platforms all over America. If you think somewhere in your town could use a tactile warning system, call us today at (800) 372-0519.