Last updated 4 months ago
As you will learn in this video, the Americans with Disabilities Act provides that, if you have a legally recognized disability, you cannot be discriminated against so long as you can perform the essential functions of your job— with or without reasonable accommodations.
To determine if you are protected, the law provides a list of recognized and unrecognized disabilities. An employer usually outlines essential job functions in that company’s job descriptions. However, it is tricky to legally define what qualifies as “reasonable accommodations.” Watch this video to learn more.
The Americans with Disabilities Act has been an invaluable legal mechanism for disabled Americans. At ADA Solutions, Inc., we work hard to preserve the principles set forth in the ADA by providing tactile warning systems to clients from coast to coast. Call us at (888) 485-5726 to learn more today.
Last updated 4 months ago
If you or a loved one relies on a wheelchair to get around, you know that public spaces sometimes present a challenge—especially when streets and buildings don’t meet important ADA guidelines. Regardless of whether your jurisdiction has implemented helpful curb ramps with tactile warning systems, you can use these helpful guidelines to help ensure your safety as a wheelchair pedestrian:
Check Out Your Wheelchair
If you are a wheelchair user, be sure to check your chair’s wheels regularly for flat or loose tires and keep your wheel locks in proper working order. Keep an eye out for damaged, broken, or loose wheel spokes that can interfere with moving your chair forward or lock up your wheels. Consider investing in a wheelchair with removable arms to maximize your comfort and ensure that you can leave the chair safely and quickly if necessary.
Be a Smart Passenger
All motor vehicle drivers and passengers should buckle up safely, and if you use a wheelchair, you should also use the vehicle’s safety belt—not your wheelchair belt—and snugly fit both the shoulder and lap belt across your pelvis, chest, and shoulder. If you will be driving, sit in the vehicle’s seat for the best protection.
Practice Pedestrian Safety
Drivers and pedestrians share responsibility for keeping public roadways safe. Unfortunately, drivers don’t always pay attention to the rules of the road. If you use a wheelchair, mount a safety flag in a bright color like red or orange to increase your visibility. Always abide by traffic signals when crossing a street and wait for drivers to stop and make eye contact before crossing.
When everyone is cautious and vigilant about public safety, it’s easy for wheelchair users, pedestrians, and drivers to get around safely. However, ADA Solutions, Inc. knows that sharing public spaces requires extra attention, and we are proud of our leadership in the tactile warning industry. To learn more about how our products, including ADA warning strips and truncated domes, help keep our streets safe, call us today at (888) 485-5726.
Last updated 4 months ago
If you're in need of tactile warning systems for new or existing curb ramps, these links will help you understand the requirements. Contact ADA Solutions, Inc. at (888) 485-5726 for more information about our detectable warning tiles featuring truncated domes.
Last updated 4 months ago
Detectable warning systems are tiles containing uniform rows of large raised bumps—or truncated domes—that are colored to contrast with the surrounding ground. This provides a standardized warning for visually impaired citizens in locations where continuing to walk without pausing could be hazardous. The truncated domes contained in such tactile warning systems are easily detectable with a cane and beneath the feet, and have been implemented as an improvement over past warning systems. The two major purposes of detectable warning systems are:
Highlighting Sidewalk Edges
Most sidewalk corners and building entrances contain gently sloping ramps that allow access for people using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. However, many visually impaired pedestrians have difficulty recognizing when they are walking over such a slope and, as a result, may unintentionally step into a street or parking lot. This is both disorienting and dangerous—fortunately, tactile warning systems provide a consistent way for visually impaired individuals to recognize when they are nearing the sidewalk’s edge in areas that do not feature a noticeable curb.
Delineating Transit Platform Boundaries
Another situation where a visually impaired person may accidentally come too close to a dangerous area is on transit platforms, which often feature a steep drop-off toward train or subway rails. Detectable warning systems allow visually impaired pedestrians to become aware of the edge of the transit platform two feet in advance, providing plenty of room for the pedestrians to stop and readjust their paths.
ADA Solutions, Inc. is a national provider of detectable warning systems featuring truncated domes. We assist businesses and municipalities in becoming fully ADA-compliant by ensuring that sidewalks and platforms are safe for all pedestrians. For further information on our tactile warning surfaces or to locate a distributor in your area, visit us online or call us at (888) 485-5726.
Last updated 4 months ago
Employees with disabilities are entitled to a number of protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA. This video explains how employers can meet the provisions of the ADA and what exceptions to the law exist.
Under the ADA, employers must reasonably accommodate workers with disabilities. This means that efforts must be made to assist employees in performing their jobs unless providing certain accommodations presents an undue hardship for the business. Areas that fall under reasonable accommodation and therefore may be altered to fit the needs of a disabled worker include employee leave, job duties or scheduling, and the physical properties of the workplace.
Installing detectable warning tiles on curb ramps is one way that employers can accommodate employees with visual impairment. To learn more about tactile warning systems, contact ADA Solutions, Inc. by calling (888) 485-5726.
