On When the ADA was passed into law in 1990, it opened up door (no pun intended) to people with disabilities. They were able to enter and use buildings, get jobs and use services that were not available to them prior to the enactment of the Law. One of the primary reasons for passing the law was to allow persons with disabilities not to be discriminated when trying to get jobs, use services and have the same equal rights as others. And yet, there are still people I encounter who will tell me that they will probably not hire people with disabilities or people with disabilities will not use their facilities.

This newsletter will provide examples of some places that are not normally viewed as being used by persons who use wheelchairs, and yet if given the opportunity, they can.

Truck driver’s lounges

Truck drivers with disabilities are not common, but they do exist. The facilities that are provided for them in truck stops and industrial buildings where truck drivers work, will be required to be accessible and accommodate them.

This photo above shows a truck driver who uses a wheelchair

EXCERCISE EQUIPMENT

The 2010 ADA Standards requires that exercise equipment provide the ability for persons with mobility devices have clear floor space next to each type of equipment so they can transfer onto them and work out.

The exercise equipment in the photos above will require a clear floor space for wheelchairs and other mobility devices

Persons with disabilities are able to play different sports and, even though the court or sport activity area does not have any requirements, a path to get to them will be required to be provided

The 2010 ADA Standards has requirements for golf courses for persons with disabilities

Persons with disabilities have many abilities that we may not be aware of.

OCCUPATIONS

The ADA requires that, once a person with disabilities gets hired, the employer provide accommodations. There are many occupations that people with disabilities can do and one should not assume that they will not be hired. This means that, areas such as staff restrooms, staff break rooms and other areas that are not used for work, these are required to be designed and constructed as accessible so that once a person with disabilities gets hired, they will be available to them.

There are engineers in NASA that have disabilities

The work area itself will need to be adapted to the person who requires different accommodations.