How Does Architecture Incorporate Principles Of Universal Access In Public Buildings?
Accessibility is important in every aspect of life including buildings. Commercial building accessibility means that these buildings have features that allow people of all abilities to access and use them.
Commercial buildings can be anything from offices to shopping centers, and all need to have accessible features. From the doorways to the elevators, accessibility needs to be considered in every design choice.
Are you interested in learning more about commercial building accessibility? Read on to discover the benefits of accessibility and what you can do to ensure that your commercial building is accessible to everyone.
The Benefits of Accessibility in Commercial Buildings
1. Increases Your Customer Base:
When you design your commercial building with accessibility in mind, you ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can access your building and become your customer. This inclusivity allows for a broader customer base, ensuring that no one gets left out.
2. Avoids Legal Issues:
Failing to comply with accessibility laws is a costly mistake. Failure to comply with these laws can lead to hefty penalties, and it may also lead to lawsuits. Therefore, designing your commercial building with accessibility in mind is the best course of action to ensure that you don't run afoul of these regulations.
3. Better Employee Accessibility:
An accessible commercial building not only benefits your customers, but it also benefits your employees. When your building is designed for accessibility, it allows all your employees to move around the building with ease. This ease of movement increases their efficiency and makes for a more comfortable work environment.
4. Increases Property Value:
Accessibility increases the value of your building and makes it more attractive to renters or buyers. An accessible commercial building is more marketable as it can be used by anyone regardless of their abilities. The inclusive design also ensures that your building is future-proof as you won't need to make significant changes to adapt to the changing laws and regulations.
What You Can Do To Ensure Your Commercial Building is Accessible
1. Accessibility Audit:
You need to have a professional audit the accessibility of your building so that its shortcomings can be identified. An accessibility audit will provide you with recommendations on what needs to be changed or added to make your commercial building more accessible.
2. Entrance:
The entrance is the first impression of your building and must be accessible. The entrance should have automatic doors, a threshold that is no higher than half an inch, and a clear path of travel. The entrance also needs to have contrasting colors to guide those with visual impairments.
3. Interior Layout:
The interior layout must be designed with accessibility in mind. There should be ample space to maneuver, and the layout should have a clear path of travel. The restrooms should also be accessible, and they should have sinks and toilets that are easy to reach.
4. Lighting:
The building's lighting must be bright and even to ensure that it’s accessible to people with visual impairment. All corners and entrances should have a lighting system that guides people through the building.
5. Elevators:
Elevators must be installed, and they must be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and motorized scooters. The buttons must be positioned at a reasonable height as well. Some elevators may also need to have Braille buttons to help those with visual impairments.
6. Parking:
Your commercial building should have an adequate number of parking spots that are close to the entrance. The spots should also have a clear path of travel to the entrance to make it easier for people to access the building.
FAQs
What Should I Do If My Building Is Not Accessible?
If your building is not accessible, you should hire a professional to perform an accessibility audit, identify the shortcomings of your building, and recommend solutions. The professional should look at everything from the entrance to the interior layout.
Do I Need To Make My Building Accessible To Comply With The Law?
Absolutely. All the commercial buildings must comply with the accessibility laws to avoid legal issues, hefty penalties, and lawsuits. Furthermore, ensuring that your building is compliant will improve the building's value and make it attractive to more tenants and buyers.
What Are The Penalties For Failing To Comply With Accessibility Laws?
The penalties for failing to comply with accessibility laws can be significant. Non-compliance can result in hefty legal fees and fines. On top of that, you may also face the cost of retrofitting a building to be compliant, which is incredibly expensive.
In conclusion, building accessibility is an important aspect that must be considered in every aspect of life. From buildings to transportation, accessibility is essential for everyone. Building with accessibility in mind ensures that everyone has equal access, which leads to inclusivity and better customer satisfaction. With these factors in mind, it is essential to ensure that buildings are compliant with accessibility laws and have features designed to meet the needs of all people regardless of their abilities.
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