Consider for a moment an old town restaurant. Part of the charm of turn-of-the-last-century buildings meets the latest trends in dining. The ambiance and sense of history you just can’t get from a new building out in the suburbs is something that is often imitated but never duplicated. There is just one problem with this trendy new hot spot. What happens when someone has just enjoyed a fabulous dinner and steps outside, their foot meets the empty air, where steps are leading into the building, their cane slips out from underneath them, and they hit the ground hard, snapping a bone in their hip, or even worse?
Back in the early 1900s, things were different, and in a time where wheelchairs were not only uncommon but also served as a stigma for people with disabilities, the architecture of the era was not exactly accessibility friendly. The laws aren’t there to bully business owners, but to protect their patrons. Something as simple as a ramp into the establishment could have kept that person safe from injury. Putting some thought into detail, as well as obeying the writ of the law could have also protected the business from potential litigation for injuries.
There is the added benefit of allowing a diverse population of customers access to one’s business. Wheelchair ramps might not make a business look like it did in 1910, but you can be assured that someone who needs access will take their business elsewhere. If not for their own safety, but also the understanding of how a business owner might value their aesthetics over someone’s well-being. That’s just showing how much you care about your clientele.
Contact us if you believe your or someone else’s rights have been compromised.