Surface King is an ADA Handicap Specialists

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all public facilities, including hotels, motels, and shopping centers constructed after January 26, 1993, must be accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. In addition, existing facilities must undertake readily achievable barrier removal to comply with the Act.

ADA compliance can be a frustrating and expensive issue for property owners to navigate. Regulations vary substantially among local, state, and federal agencies and it takes specialists in this area to truly understand what needs to be done to ensure that your property is ADA compliant. As part of our Asphalt Paving and Striping projects, we always meet ADA-FLORIDA standards. We can provide proper accessibility spacing and striping of parking spaces, as well as Disabled Ramps, and Curb Ramps.

Surface King has completed many exterior ADA upgrade renovations for major hotel and motel chains, shopping malls and strip centers, and commercial properties over the years and we understand all the federal requirements that are necessary for compliance. This includes strict adherence to all ADA guidelines including grade (leveling asphalt to standards), signage, path-of-travel accessibility, cane detection, handrail fabrication and installation, and truncated dome warning panels for the blind.

In the past, many of our customers hired regular general contractors to complete their ADA upgrades. The general contractors had to hire numerous sub-contractors in order to complete the different types of specialized work needed for compliance. As a result, the extra costs are passed on to the customer.

Surface King completes all of the ADA upgrade work using our own ADA-trained employees and therefore we can complete the job according to federal and state regulations. Provide Surface King with an approved set of plans and we can take care of all of your issues without the need for you to search for a general contractor.

Steps to Take in ADA Process

The first Action is the ADA Survey. An ADA survey is the first step toward identifying where the non-compliant areas are and how best to address them. Experienced contractors can complete this step but there are times when the problems are more difficult to solve and ADA specialists may be required. This is especially true when considering that Apartment Communities have their own set of parameters that affect ADA compliance – the age, layout, and construction history of the property can all factor into what the legal requirements may be.

First, the survey will be to determine how many and what type of handicap stalls are required. In general, the formula is (1) handicap stall per (25) total stalls per parking lot. This will vary if the lot is a medical building or if the entire parking lot is larger than 1,000 stalls. The next step is to make sure that the existing stalls have the correct signage, paint markings, and access aisles. Along with that is to check the slope of the pavement in both the handicap stalls, access aisles, and the associated paths of travel, making sure that the sidewalk ramps and paths of travel are compliant. The final step is to ensure that the entry signs to the lot are of the correct type and that the information on the sign is current.

The Second Step is the Corrective Action Plan. This is where Surface King creates a plan that specifically identifies the areas for correction and where it may be necessary to have detailed drawings made that can be used for construction and permitting. Not all ADA projects require this level of detail but it is very common for government agencies to require ADA improvements if major renovations or tenant improvements are being performed.

The Final Phase is Construction. This is where you work with Surface King to perform the work per plan. It is very important to select someone with extensive experience in ADA compliance, as mistakes here can be very expensive and time-consuming.

The Legal Challenges of ADA Compliance

The Department of Justice published revised ADA Compliance regulations for Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) in the Federal Register on September 15, 2010. These ADA Compliance regulations adopted revised, enforceable accessibility standards called the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design “2010 Standards”.

Since March 15, 2012, ADA compliance with the 2010 Standards will be required for new construction and alterations. In the period between September 15, 2010, and March 15, 2012, covered entities may choose between the 1991 Standards ADA Compliance (without the elevator exemption for Title II facilities), and the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (Title II facilities only), and the 2010 Standards ADA Compliance.

Through lawsuits and settlement agreements, the Department of Justice has achieved greater access for individuals with disabilities in hundreds of cases. Under general rules governing lawsuits brought by the Federal government, the Department of Justice may not sue a party unless negotiations to settle the dispute have failed.

The Department of Justice may file lawsuits in federal court to enforce the ADA Compliance, and courts may order compensatory damages and back pay to remedy discrimination if the Department prevails. Under title III, the Department of Justice may also obtain civil penalties of up to $55,000 for the first violation and $110,000 for any subsequent violation of ADA Compliance.

Schedule An On-Site Estimate Today!

You have a project that needs to be done and you need to locate the right contractor without spending a great deal of time researching. You are literally just a click or a phone call away from securing a reliable contractor! At Surface King, our team of dedicated professionals offers complete asphalt paving and concrete services in the state of Florida. We offer the finest paving materials and products, honest competitive pricing, and an excellent reputation throughout Florida. Please use our online Contact Form to accelerate the process and we will respond as soon as possible, to answer questions and schedule an onsite estimate.