The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law passed in 1990 to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination in various areas of life, including employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. The law has been instrumental in promoting accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities and applies to events. Event organizers are legally obligated to comply with ADA guidelines to ensure their events are accessible to all attendees, regardless of their disabilities. Here are some tips for ADA compliance at events.
Step 1 for ADA Compliance at Events: Plan ahead
The first step in ADA compliance at events is to plan. And this means considering accessibility needs during the event planning process rather than trying to address them as an afterthought. When selecting a venue for your event, for example, make sure it is accessible to people with disabilities. For instance, consider a platform with accessible parking spaces, ramps or elevators to access different levels, and accessible restrooms.
Another thing to consider during the planning stage is the venue’s layout. Ensure there is enough space for people with disabilities to move around comfortably.
Communicate with attendees
Letting people know the strategies to accommodate individuals with disabilities is another vital aspect of ADA compliance at events. Provide information about accessibility on your event website and in any promotional materials. You should also provide a point of contact for attendees to ask questions about accessibility or to request accommodations.
Make sure this information is easily accessible and visible to all attendees. Provide clear signage, typically a blue background with white characters, for maximum visibility. Use a grade two braille and create directional signs to show alternate access routes.
Provide Accessible Seating and Dining
Providing accessible seating is an essential part of ADA compliance at events. Offering seating options accessible to people with mobility disabilities or other physical disabilities is indispensable.
Reserve spaces for wheelchair users or provide seats with adjustable arms to assist people with mobility disabilities. It is also essential to ensure enough space between seats to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility aids. Typically, the table should be 32′ high with a clearance of 28′.
Another thing is ensuring space to accommodate a wheelchair on every table. Create a companion seating area, too.
Make Sure Your Website is Accessible
Your event website should be accessible to people with disabilities by designing it in a way that is easy to navigate with a screen reader and compatible with assistive technology such as Braille displays and screen magnifiers. You should also provide alternative text for images and include captioning in all videos.
Provide Sign Language Interpreters
If you watched the Super Bowl performance, you probably know about ASL interpreter Justina Miles. She made the halftime show fun for the deaf community, making them feel included in the event. For events that include spoken presentations or performances, providing sign language interpreters is essential for ADA compliance at events. It ensures that deaf or partially deaf people can fully participate in the event.
Furthermore, provide assistive listening devices, such as FM systems or induction loops, to help people with hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Provide accessible transportation
Providing accessible transportation is also crucial for ADA compliance at events. One of the ways to accommodate people with special needs is by reserving ADA-compliant parking spaces. Designate one slot in every 25 parking spaces. The ADA parking area should be close to an accessible entrance and is 96′ wide with a similar size accessible aisle.
Additionally, ensure that any shuttle buses or other transportation options are accessible to people with disabilities. Provide buses with wheelchair lifts or ramps or ensure that vehicles have adequate space for people with mobility aids.
Provide ADA-Compliant Portable Toilets
Another way to ensure your ADA compliance at events is to install accessible portable toilets. The thumb rule is that every group of portable toilets should have 5% ADA-compliant units.
ADA-portable toilets feature maneuverable space, grab bars, wide doors, and ramps. Talk to us when you need affordable ADA-compliant toilet units. We’ve got enough units, whether you need the standard, deluxe flushing, shower, or luxury event restrooms.
Create Accessible Routes
You want everyone, including people with disabilities, to move freely and access activities and amenities without a hassle. Having accessible routes for people with disabilities is another way to comply with the ADA guidelines at events.
Install ramps on elevations that are more than 1/4′ and ensure routes in the area are 36′. Furthermore, sidewalks should be at least 48′ wide. Keep barricades off accessibility areas like the ramped areas.
Train staff and volunteers
Finally, train all staff and volunteers working at the event to comply with ADA guidelines. Provide training on disability awareness, communicating with people with disabilities, and providing accommodations. All staff and volunteers should know about available accommodations and how to assist people with disabilities.
ADA compliance at events is essential for promoting accessibility and inclusion. Contact us, and we’ll sort out your event with quality ADA-compliant portable toilets.