How to Develop ADA Policy

Handicapped parking is an element of the ADA requirements.

Developing an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) policy is a requirement of any company. The policy that a company establishes is fairly simple. The ADA requires reasonable accommodations be made to the structure and company policy to allow for any person with a disability, either customer or employee, be given full access to the premises and employment opportunities within reason. Reasonable accommodations are any modification that will allow a person to be able to perform a job and remain equal to non-disabled persons on a case-by-case basis.

Instructions

1. Obtain a copy of the ADA requirements from the U.S. Department of Justice.

2. Look at the physical layout of the building. Look for areas where the public and employees access the building or use facilities. Outline what needs to occur to make the building accessible to all people, such as wheelchair ramps, handicapped-accessible bathrooms and parking.

3. Write out the essential functions of each position within the company. Essential functions means what must happen to maintain quality and quantity of work. For example, a call center employee must be able to speak into a phone and hear the conversation. However, the call center employee does not have to be able to stand for long periods of time.

4. Compile the list of essential job functions for use with the hiring process. Accommodations must be requested by the employee or customer on a case-by-case basis. The person with a disability will outline what they need to be able to complete the job. Contact the Job Accommodation Network hotline to determine if the accommodation falls under the definition of reasonable accommodations.

5. Draw up plans to make the building handicapped accessible based upon the ADA Title III.

6. Communicate the plans and the requirements of employees to voice a need for reasonable accommodations for the employees in writing and verbally.

Tips & Warnings

• Reasonable accommodations is hard to define. Contact the Justice Department Civil Rights Division or Job Accommodation Network whenever a request is made for reasonable accommodations. The Job Accomodation Network hotline is 1-800-526-7234.

• Consult your local field office for structural requirements of the building. An on-sight survey by the field office can help you to establish the proper policies.

References

• U.S. Department of Justice: 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
• Americans with Disabilities Act: Questions and Answers