5 Things to Know About the American with Disabilities Act (ADA)

5 Things to Know About the American with Disabilities Act (ADA)

1. ADA law is very complex and specific.
   Owners need to learn the ADA rules. If you are sued or fined, ignorance of the law is not a defense. Even small violations can lead to large lawsuits.
2. Making your parking lot and entrance accessible is not enough.
   It is important to make sure your entire business is accessible to guests with disabilities. That includes restrooms, the floor layout, menus, and your website.
3. Attorneys or ADA consultants can help you.
   They can do a walk through to inspect your restaurant for violations before you are cited. This is important for new opens and established businesses.
4. ADA violation fines can grow for repeat offenses.
   Fines can be as high as $75,000 for a first offense, and up to $150,000 for further offenses. This does not include legal fees.
5. Train your staff in disability awareness.
   Your staff is expected to know how to help patrons with disabilities. Even if this does not lead to lawsuits, online accounts of poor treatment can hurt your business.

Here is a great example of what can happen if your restaurant is not ADA compliant:

A customer sued a restaurant saying its bathroom was not compliant with the ADA. The restaurant ended up paying $16,000 in fines and legal fees. The cost to fix the bathroom so it complied – just $95.

If you want to make sure your restaurant is ADA compliant and how that can impact your rates, give us a call.
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Tags: insurance, liability, NYC, restaurants