The Story:

For approximately 900,000 Arizonans with a disability, living a happy and fulfilling life can be hindered by obstacles most residents simply don’t notice. While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that Valley businesses are easily accessible for both employees and customers, buildings often comply with the letter of the law, but fail to meet the true spirit of the law.

A recent tour of downtown Phoenix by members of Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL) revealed that while office buildings might technically be up to code, they often pose navigational problems for employees and customers with disabilities.

Older buildings, remodeled and retrofitted to comply with ADA regulations, can still pose difficulties. For example, ramps designed for wheelchairs may be too steep, bathroom stalls may be widened for standard wheelchair use, but are not wide enough for electric wheelchairs, and elevator buttons, lowered to be easily reached, are often blocked by ashtrays, plants, or other furniture.

Arizona Bridge to Independent can offer information on ADA compliance and tips for Phoenix businesses on rearranging and redesigning workplaces to allow maximum accessibility.

ABIL can also outline common obstacles Valley residents with disabilities face in Phoenix’s historic buildings. ABIL offers a Business Accessibility Survey, a comprehensive on-site report designed to help business and property owners identify and address common accessibility issues, including:

• Designated parking spaces/parking lot layout.
• Walkways into the building (width, ramping, handrails for stairs, etc.)
• Building entrances (width of doorways, auto-open options, handles, etc.)
• Restroom accessibility, size of stalls, etc.
• Drinking fountain/public telephone areas.