The Importance of ADA Compliance for Sidewalks

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is making efforts to provide equal access to people with disabilities. Maintaining your sidewalks in compliance with the city rules and regulations is important. People who are blind or use mobility devices might get hurt due to poorly built sidewalks.

Accessible sidewalks are not only required by law, but they are also important for promoting safety and independence. For disabled people, sidewalks are important to get to work, the doctor, school or any event. 

Individuals with disabilities find it very difficult to move around when sidewalks are damaged or not wide enough. Understanding accessibility issues and fixing your sidewalks with the help of a sidewalk repair contractor in Manhattan will allow us to make them safe for everyone. 

In this article, let us talk about the importance of having accessible sidewalks. 

Scope of ADA-Compliant Sidewalks

Keeping you in compliance with the ADA comes with plenty of benefits; some of them are given below:

• Accessibility: A well-maintained sidewalk enhances accessibility for everyone, including people with disabilities.
• Lowers the Risk of Liability: Neglected sidewalks can cause trip-and- fall accidents, which can further lead to legal liabilities and lawsuits.
• Permits Availability: A sidewalk with a repair permit shows that it has been constructed based on the city codes and is safe and accessible for everyone to use. 

ADA Rules

The ADA has provided some guidelines listed below to improve accessibility for those with disabilities. Some of them are discussed below:

Width of Sidewalk

The sidewalks must be at least 36 inches (3 feet) wide. This width is suitable for the wheelchair to move. The width can be reduced to a minimum of 32 inches for a maximum length of 24 inches.

Slopes and Height 

The slope is maintained both in the running direction (length-wise) and the crossing direction (width-wise). Maximum running and crossing slopes must be 5% and 2%, respectively.

The running slope is in the ratio 1:20, i.e., a 1-inch slope for every 20 inches of horizontal distance. Similarly, the crossing slope must be maintained at 1:48.

Ramps for Curbs

From the road to the path, curb ramps connect the two. Wheelchair users can get from the path to the road more easily due to the sloped curb. The recommended slope of the ramp must be 1:12. The maximum slope can be up to 1:48. Moreover, contrasting colors and a warning device must be applied to make the ramps prominent.

Passing Spaces 

People going in different directions can walk through the passing spaces without running into each other. If the sidewalk is less than 60 inches (5 feet) long, passing places must be built. They are built every 200 feet.

Clean and Level Path 

There should be nothing in the way of people walking on the sidewalks. On the walkways, there must not be trash, snow, water pools, broken pavers, uneven slabs, or plantations. These things will make it harder for disabled people to move around easily. 

Slip-resistant Paths

The smooth pathways are slippery, which is not suitable for people with crutches or wheelchairs. Hence, the sidewalks must not be polished and should not have a very steep slope to prevent any slipping accidents. 

Touchable Signs

The walking symbols are used to make it easier for disabled people to walk. Special yellow tiles with textures and bumps are installed at the curbs and edges. These tiles are used to alarm visually impaired individuals. 

How to Make Your Sidewalk Compliant with the ADA?

It is essential to do a complete examination of your sidewalk for ADA compliance before making any repairs or modifications. Follow these steps to make sure your paths meet ADA requirements:

Self-Assessment: Use the ADA checklists and instructions that are available to look at the current state of the sidewalk and mark the areas that need to be fixed.

Consultation: Hire a qualified accessibility consultant or ADA professional like Sidewalk Repair Manhattan to do a full assessment and make suggestions for improvements or changes.

Implementation: Make a step-by-step plan for fixing problems and making improvements or changes in order of importance to meet compliance.

Advantages of Installing ADA Sidewalks

There are the following benefits to constructing sidewalks according to the ADA guidelines given below:

• ADA-compliant sidewalks make life easier for everyone, from parents pushing strollers to the elderly and people who are temporarily using mobility aids (like people healing from injuries).
• Well-designed sidewalks make walking easier and more comfortable, which is good for the health of the community and the economy.
• The value of your property will be enhanced if you have ADA-compliant sidewalks.

Conclusion

Making sure sidewalks are ADA-compliant is not only the law but also a basic step toward creating neighborhoods that are open to everyone. Making sure that people with disabilities can use sidewalks can help property owners and local governments make the world more welcoming. 

Take action today to look at and improve the usability of sidewalks. Contacting Sidewalk Contractor Manhattan can help you with ADA-compliant sidewalk construction or replacement projects.