If you own a property that’s open to the public, such as a retail store or other types of commercial business, it’s incredibly important that you have wheelchair ramps for the steps on your property. No matter how long or short the steps up to your business’s front door may be, you need to have a ramp present as well. If you don’t, you could face some serious consequences. Why is it so important to have a ramp? Keep reading to find out.
First, let’s start with some of the legal reasons you should have wheelchair ramps on your property. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets forth requirements for businesses that state they must be accessible to all patrons, regardless of their mobility levels. Among many other things, this includes installing a ramp so that wheelchair users can get in and out of your building easily. Failing to make your property accessible to those with physical disabilities could result in you facing an ADA lawsuit.
These lawsuits can be filed regardless of whether or not any type of injury has occurred on your property (more on that in a moment). Having a business that’s inaccessible to the disabled can be viewed as discrimination, and you’ll likely be required to pay a fine and/or upgrade your facility to make it handicapped accessible. Those are expenses that are best avoided by simply having a wheelchair ramp to begin with.
Another legal consideration that you should keep in mind is the possibility of injury on your property if you don’t provide a more accessible means of getting in and out of your place of business. Even if a patron does not rely on a wheelchair, they may struggle with stairs due to decreased mobility or use a walker or cane. Attempting to go up and down stairs when they’re not physically capable makes it much more likely that they will fall and injure themselves.
If this happens because you failed to install a ramp, you could find yourself facing a personal injury lawsuit in addition to a potential ADA lawsuit. Fines in a personal injury lawsuit can include paying for the injured person’s medical expenses, ongoing physical therapy costs, lost income due to missing work, as well as pain and suffering. This can add up to tens of thousands of dollars or more. It’s far better for your business if you install the wheelchair ramp before such an injury occurs.
As a business, you want to ensure that every potential customer feels welcome; it’s extremely difficult for a person to feel welcome on your property if you haven’t even provided a way for them to get inside. Imagine this: Someone in a wheelchair is passing by your shop. They see an outfit in your store window that they’re interested in buying. But when they look around, they only see a short flight of stairs to get inside. How likely do you think that customer will be to try to find an alternate means of entry? What are the odds that they will reach out to you and try to purchase that outfit another way if they aren’t able to enter your store? The odds are very low, and you will likely lose a customer.
Adding a wheelchair ramp shows that you’re willing and able to make accommodations so that anyone is able to come inside. This creates a considerate and compassionate environment right off the bat, which can help you to connect with a potential customer—and, as every business owner knows, every customer counts.
Finally, keep in mind that individuals in wheelchairs aren’t the only ones who benefit from a wheelchair ramp. As we stated above, those with reduced mobility and people who use a walker or cane are much safer and steadier on their feet when they’re able to use a ramp. Additionally, parents pushing strollers, those who are visually impaired, and individuals carrying large packages (such as delivery drivers) will have a much easier time accessing your store via a ramp than a staircase.
If your business doesn’t yet have a wheelchair ramp, contact Southern Mobility Solutions. We can come out to your property and perform an assessment to determine the best ramp for your business. We can even find wheelchair ramps for steep steps and advise you on adding a ramp to an older property or one with minimal space for a ramp. Call now to schedule your consultation with one of our experts and make your property accessible to all of your potential customers.
