In 1990s, the American Disabilities Act (ADA) was set up to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities in public and private places. Since then, businesses have been required to make their establishments more accessible to people with disabilities. If your business’ property hasn’t been updated yet, you’ll need to upgrade restrooms and other public spaces with the help of a professional home builder or building contractor to meet requirements.

Why ADA Compliance Is Important

Constructing your building with ADA-compliant features makes it easier for disabled persons to maneuver through narrow spaces, use restrooms, and access other areas. These features also make their experience at your establishment more enjoyable and significantly reduces the likelihood of an accident resulting from non-compliance. Moreover, failing to adhere to the ADA rules could result in complaints, fines, and lawsuits from your guests. To avoid these issues, have your property evaluated by an ADA expert and upgraded accordingly by a professional home builder or general contractor.  

How to Make Your Restroom ADA-Compliant

The most common ADA compliance mistakes in a bathroom situation include incorrect mirror height and sink clearance, lack of grab bars, narrow stalls, inaccessible toilet seats, and improperly installed doors. Grab bars should be fully anchored and mounted at least 34 inches from the floor. They must have at least 1.5 inches of clear space from the wall and shouldn’t have sharp, exposed ends. At a minimum, there must be an unobstructed floor space measuring 60 inches in diameter to allow 180-degree rotation for people who use wheelchairs.

Similarly, toilet stalls should have minimum widths of 60 inches and ample room inside for the wheelchair. Toilet seats must have heights between 17 to 19 inches from the finished floor, with flush control levers below 44 inches from the ground and installed on the side of the stall.

Lavatories and hand dryers must be set up no higher than four feet to make them accessible to people with disabilities. Sinks should be installed no more than 34 inches high and extend 17 inches from the wall. A home builder or general contractor should also install a door with levers, instead of turning knobs, that opens outward with sufficient turning clearance for easy shutting once inside.  

If you’re looking to convert your property into one that’s ADA-compliant, contact the professionals at Curtis Law Construction in Lihue, HI. This home builder and general contractor company has been providing top-notch residential and commercial construction services throughout the island of Kauai since 1969. They’ll work with you step-by-step to meet your constructions needs and specialize in custom homes, remodels, and energy conservation solutions. Send a message online or call (808) 246-0676 to request a quote.