The ADA requires companies providing goods and services to the public to take certain limited steps to improve access to existing places of business. This mandate includes the obligation to remove barriers from existing buildings when it is readily achievable to do so. Readily achievable means easily accomplishable and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense.

A business that provides goods and services to the public, such as Burger King is required to remove barriers if doing so is readily achievable. Such a business is called a public accommodation because it serves the public.

What design standards apply when you are removing barriers?

The alterations provisions of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design (Standards). These Standards were published in Appendix A to the Department of Justice's Title III regulations, 28 CFR Part 36, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities.

Deviations from the Standards are acceptable when full compliance with those requirements is not “readily achievable”. In such cases, barrier removal measures may be taken that do not fully comply with the Standards, so long as the measures do not pose a significant risk to the health or safety of individuals with disabilities or others.

The Department’s regulation contains a list of 21 examples of modifications that may be "readily achievable". These include installing ramps, making curb cuts in sidewalks and at entrances, repositioning telephones, adding raised markings on elevator control buttons, installing visual alarms, widening doors, installing offset hinges to widen doorways, insulating lavatory pipes under sinks, repositioning a paper towel dispenser, installing a full-length mirror, rearranging toilet partitions to increase maneuvering space or installing an accessible toilet stall

Question: If an area of a store is reachable only by a flight of steps, would you be required to add an elevator?

Answer: Usually no. A public accommodation generally would not be required to remove a barrier to physical access posed by a flight of steps, if removal would require extensive ramping or an elevator. The readily achievable standard does not require barrier removal that requires burdensome expense. Thus, where it is not readily achievable to do so, the ADA would not require a public accommodation to provide access to an area reachable only by a flight of stairs.

Question: I have a portable ramp that we use for deliveries - can't I just use that?

Answer: Yes, you could, but only if the installation of a permanent ramp is not readily achievable. In order to promote safety, a portable ramp should have railings, a firm, stable, nonslip surface and the slope should not exceed one to twelve (one unit of rise for every twelve units horizontal distance). It should also be properly secured and staff should be trained in its safe use.

The minimum vertical clearance for vans along route to space, at the parking space and along route to the exit site is: