New Construction & Public Accommodations

ADA LIFESTYLES

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

ADA Lifestyles provides commercial, residential and hospitality architectural services from conception through completion of your custom project. Our services go beyond lines on paper. We rely heavily on universal design, illustrating the idea that all residential environments and products should be easily used and accessible by all members of the family. 

Contact ADA Lifestyles if you are in need of building modifications to comply with ADA standards. Here are a few frequently asked questions and their answers, provided by ADA.gov.  

Q. What does title II require for new construction and alterations?

A. The ADA requires that all new buildings constructed by a State or local government be accessible. In addition, when a State or local government undertakes alterations to a building, it must make the altered portions accessible.


Q. How will a State or local government know that a new building is accessible?

A. A State or local government will be in compliance with the ADA for new construction and alterations if it follows either of two accessibility standards. It can choose either the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards or the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities, which is the standard that must be used for public accommodations and commercial facilities under title III of the ADA. If the State or local government chooses the ADA Accessibility Guidelines, it is not entitled to the elevator exemption (which permits certain private buildings under three stories or under 3,000 square feet per floor to be constructed without an elevator).

Q. What are public accommodations?

A. A public accommodation is a private entity that owns, operates, leases, or leases to, a place of public accommodation. Places of public accommodation include a wide range of entities, such as restaurants, hotels, theaters, doctors' offices, pharmacies, retail stores, museums, libraries, parks, private schools, and day care centers. Private clubs and religious organizations are exempt from the ADA's title III requirements for public accommodations.

Q. What does the ADA require in new construction?

A. The ADA requires that all new construction of places of public accommodation, as well as of "commercial facilities" such as office buildings, be accessible. Elevators are generally not required in facilities under three stories or with fewer than 3,000 square feet per floor, unless the building is a shopping center or mall; the professional office of a health care provider; a terminal, depot, or other public transit station; or an airport passenger terminal.

Keep Everyone In Your Town Moving!

ADA LIFESTYLES

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

The maintenance of accessible features for people with disabilities is a crucial component to keeping public services moving.

Towns must maintain in operable working condition those features that are necessary to provide access to services, programs, and activities – including elevators, lifts,  curb ramps and intersections, accessible parking spaces, ramps to building or facility entrances, door hardware, and accessible toilet facilities.

Even when weather conditions such as snow and ice limit or prevent access to services, programs, and activities, a town that houses programs in an accessible facility will have to maintain access to ensure that those programs are accessible.

The only time isolated or temporary interruptions in service or access are permitted is for maintenance or repairs.

The town must maintain the lift in working condition to assure that the public has access to the building programs. If the lift is out of order, repairs must be made in a timely fashion. Until the repairs are made, the town should provide alternative service for wheelchair users and others with disabilities who can no longer gain access to the building.

If a town building was built before the ADA went into effect, but has a lift that provides access to and from the building, the town must take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with members of the public, job applicants, and participants with disabilities are as effective as communications with others unless it is an undue financial or administrative burden to do so or it would result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of its program activity.

Learn more about Accessible Features Maintenance at http://www.ada.gov//smtown.pdf.

ADA Compliance For "Reasonable Accommodation" and Employer Responsibilities

 ADA LIFESTYLES

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

The following information was provided by ADA.gov. 

 

Q. What is "reasonable accommodation?"

A. Reasonable accommodation is any modification or adjustment to a job or the work environment that will enable a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to participate in the application process or to perform essential job functions. Reasonable accommodation also includes adjustments to assure that a qualified individual with a disability has rights and privileges in employment equal to those of employees without disabilities.

Q. What are some of the accommodations applicants and employees may need?

A. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making existing facilities used by employees readily accessible to and usable by an individual with a disability; restructuring a job; modifying work schedules; acquiring or modifying equipment; providing qualified readers or interpreters; or appropriately modifying examinations, training, or other programs. Reasonable accommodation also may include reassigning a current employee to a vacant position for which the individual is qualified, if the person is unable to do the original job because of a disability even with an accommodation. However, there is no obligation to find a position for an applicant who is not qualified for the position sought. Employers are not required to lower quality or quantity standards as an accommodation; nor are they obligated to provide personal use items such as glasses or hearing aids.

The decision as to the appropriate accommodation must be based on the particular facts of each case. In selecting the particular type of reasonable accommodation to provide, the principal test is that o effectiveness, i.e., whether the accommodation will provide an opportunity for a person with a disability to achieve the same level of performance and to enjoy benefits equal to those of an average, similarly situated person without a disability. However, the accommodation does not have to ensure equal results or provide exactly the same benefits.

Q. When is an employer required to make a reasonable accommodation?

A. An employer is only required to accommodate a "known" disability of a qualified applicant or employee. The requirement generally will be triggered by a request from an individual with a disability, who frequently will be able to suggest an appropriate accommodation. Accommodations must be made on an individual basis, because the nature and extent of a disabling condition and the requirements of a job will vary in each case. If the individual does not request an accommodation, the employer is not obligated to provide one except where an individual's known disability impairs his/her ability to know of, or effectively communicate a need for, an accommodation that is obvious to the employer. If a person with a disability requests, but cannot suggest, an appropriate accommodation, the employer and the individual should work together to identify one. There are also many public and private resources that can provide assistance without cost.

Q. Must an employer modify existing facilities to make them accessible?

A. The employer's obligation under title I is to provide access for an individual applicant to participate in the job application process, and for an individual employee with a disability to perform the essential functions of his/her job, including access to a building, to the work site, to needed equipment, and to all facilities used by employees. For example, if an employee lounge is located in a place inaccessible to an employee using a wheelchair, the lounge might be modified or relocated, or comparable facilities might be provided in a location that would enable the individual to take a break with co-workers. The employer must provide such access unless it would cause an undue hardship.

Under title I, an employer s not required to make its existing facilities accessible until a particular applicant or employee with a particular disability needs an accommodation, and then the modifications should meet that individual's work needs. However, employers should consider initiating changes that will provide general accessibility, particularly for job applicants, since it is likely that people with disabilities will be applying for jobs. The employer does not have to make changes to provide access in places or facilities that will not be used by that individual for employment-related activities or benefits.

Contact ADA Lifestyles to help accommodate each and every one of yours and/or your employees needs. For more information, visit ADALifestyles.com. 

Aging In Place

  ADA LIFESTYLES

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

The term “aging in place” is becoming a popular concept as the largest generation of people move into retirement acclimatization. 

Using the principles of the Universal Design, we can improve and enhance their current apartment, home or office space to be more accessible and safer.

Keep in mind, the likelihood of falling increases steadily across a person’s lifespan starting at age 40. Reasons why people fall include bone density loss, illness like osteoporosis, muscle weakness and loss of strength, eyesight and hearing changes as well as tripping hazards. $55 billion dollars is spent annually treating nonfatal falls.

Falls are the 5^th leading cause of deaths. 

ADA Lifestyles improves your home to make it a safer environment for you and your family by:

• Making entrances more accessible 
• Adding assistive technologies 
• Automating doors, windows and blinds 
• Providing Barrier Free showers and doorways 
• Adding elevators and lifts 
• Improving lighting 
• Adjusting cabinets and appliances 
• Improving flooring 
• And more

Contact ADA Lifestyles to see how we can help you “age in place” today! For more information visit ADALifestyles.com and "LIKE" us on Facebook, linked HERE.

Design & Building Solutions for the Physically Challenged

 ADA LIFESTYLES

459 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley NY 10502

914-231-6107 / ADALifestyles.com

 

At ADA Lifestyles, we are focused on improving the quality of life for our clients. We are passionate about creating an environment that will provide the most independent lifestyle for them. We strive to make it easy for clients to acquire, modify and develop living spaces for people with disabilities.

We provide design and building solutions for the physically challenged. Our goal is for safety, accessibility and independence for people in their apartment, home or office setting. 

We offer expertise across the entire metropolitan NY area to find, build, convert and develop existing houses, lots, apartments and indeed any residential space for clients with specific needs due to disabilities. Additionally, ADA Lifestyles and partners offer business access to suitable commercial real estate and consult on existing premises on ADA compliance and problem solving including physical therapy offices, professional medical buildings and restaurants.

ADA Lifestyles provides commercial, residential and hospitality architectural services from conception through completion of your custom project. Our services are more than just lines on paper. We rely heavily on universal design, illustrating the idea that all residential environments and products should be easily used and accessible by all members of the family. 

Products are usable regardless of age, size, physical or sensory abilities throughout their life, in their complete surrounding. We can make homes, apartments and office areas safer by incorporating the necessary architectural features and products for those with physical and sensory challenges. 

At ADA Lifestyle, we will work with your doctor, therapist and home care provider to coordinate the capabilities of the individual who is physically challenged. With this collaboration of information together we can design an environment that is attractive and provides safety, comfort and independence.

Furthermore, we know the DOB codes (including ANSI Standards, local codes, standards of HUD, Legislation by the Fair Housing Act as well as your Civil Rights,) and implement each of them; we sit down with you, survey your wants and needs and evaluate your surroundings; we design concepts and consult each idea alongside you; provide expediting services and provide job site progress and compliance evaluations. 

You can actually “experience” the many Universal Design features and products at our 1,800 square foot facility in Ardsley, NY. Call for an appointment to actually see, touch and use the various products and ideas presented on our website in an actual, physical home.

Check out our website, ADALifestyles.com, for more information on our services and mission, and be sure to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter!