Building AccessibilityGeorgette Eatmon

University of West Alabama

Community Buildings (privately owned with public accommodations)

SKYLAND LAUNDROMAT(Meeting ADA Specifications)

1. Countertops were accessible for all patrons-36 inches. Wide shelves provided room underneath for a wheelchair.

2. Washers/dryers were various heights

3. Non-slip floors

4. Wide aisles

Skyland Laundromat(Meeting ADA specifications, continued)

5. The walkway blended into the common area, gradually.

6. The door was exactly 32 inches wide.

Recommendations for the Laundromat

The door did not have a three second delay and was dangerous to all customers attempting to get in and out with baskets of laundry.

No handicapped parking spaces were reserved in an area that had 25 parking spaces.

The building is accessed from a ramp at one end, and customers using wheelchairs must swing the door back toward them, and then have to maneuver around the door and off the ramp to get in the Laundromat.

Railings were needed along the long, sloping ramp.

Public restrooms were needed.

Office Depot(Meeting ADA specifications)

Parking Lot There was an appropriate

number of accessible parking spaces, more than 25:1

Parking was labeled as reserved and identified with mounted signs and on the parking surface

Van accessible areas were labeled

Office Depot(Meeting Specifications)

Automatic doors had a five second delay

Walks and ramps were the appropriate size

Smooth handrails

Non-slip floors

Bathrooms met criteria of being labeled, having handrails, being wheelchair accessible

Exits/entrances were clearly labeled with print and Braille

Office Depot recently upgraded all of its accessible parking

spaces to comply with the 2010 regulations. There were no

noticeable violations outside or inside the store.

Zaxby’s Restaurant(Meeting Specifications)

Interior

Restrooms were designated for males and females

Restrooms also had Braille labels

No Braille menus, but the server was willing to read items

Some built-in areas were not wheelchair accessible, but there was lots of other accessible spaces.

Tables of various heights

Zaxby’s Restaurant

Exterior Repairs Needed

Parking lot and walkway are not maintained

The door is very difficult to pull open from the outside, but only takes a slight push to exit

Patrons must cross busy drive-through lanes to get to entrance

No railing was available to prevent accidental slippage into drive-through lane

Academy Sports and Outdoors(Meeting ADA Specifications)

Wide, automatic doors provide easy access to the store

Parking areas are clearly labeled and close to the door so patrons do not have to cross the street

ACADEMY SPORTS

Interior

Wide main aisles

Bathrooms are clearly marked and accessible

Braille characters used

Improvements Needed

Aisles between racks and shelves are less than a foot wide and prohibit wheelchairs

Floor surfaces in the main aisles were slippery due to recent waxing

Reflection

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides standards for accessible design which are used to form local, state, and national policies. All of the facilities visited appeared to “provide full and equal accommodations” but upon closer inspection some needed major improvements. Failure to comply with regulations reduces opportunities and life activities for people with disabilities. In addition, not meeting standards is costly as each violation could total up to $1,000 plus court costs.

Railings, ramps, curb cuts, large print, or automatic doors were designed for individuals with disabilities, but they benefit all citizens by improving accessibility in safer environments.