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Being a landlord or property manager means more than just taking care of the property. If you don’t follow certain rules and codes for buildings, you could get into serious legal and financial problems. These rules are there to make sure your tenants, their guests, and your staff stay safe. Some rules, like the Americans with Disabilities Act, are about making places more accessible and stopping discrimination. If you don’t follow these rules, you might have to pay fines, deal with lawsuits, or face other legal troubles. So, it’s really important to make sure your property follows the ADA rules. In this article, we’ll talk about the ADA rules that property managers sometimes forget.

 

Areas of ADA Compliance for Property Managers

 

1. Digital

a. Accessible Documents

In real estate, it’s important to make digital documents accessible, not just because it’s a good idea but because it’s required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Property managers need to make all documents easy to use for people with disabilities. This includes things like brokerage agreements, reservation agreements, property agreements, purchase agreements, and more. This means making use of PDF document remediation methods and making PDFs accessible so that people who use tools like screen readers can understand them. Following ADA rules for digital accessibility is crucial to include everyone and prevent legal issues.

b. Making Property Websites Accessible

Property managers handle property-related websites. It’s important to make sure these websites work well for people with disabilities, like those using screen readers. This means adding descriptions for images, organizing the website logically, and making sure it’s easy to navigate with a keyboard.

3.Easy Reservations Online

If the property uses online reservation systems, it’s super important to make sure everyone can use them, especially people with disabilities. They should be able to make reservations easily without any problems. This includes labeling all the form fields correctly and making sure the whole reservation process works smoothly with just a keyboard.

 

2. Physical

 

a. Make Your Parking Lot Accessible

To ensure your parking lot meets ADA standards, it’s important to pave and stripe it according to government regulations. This means following guidelines for the size and layout of accessible parking spots and loading zones. By doing this, you create an environment that’s easy for all customers or residents to navigate.

Adding clear signage can further assist visitors with disabilities in finding their way around your parking area.

b. Installing Swimming Pool Lifts

You can check if your swimming pool has the right kind of entry by looking at a satellite view. One common and affordable way to make pools accessible is by installing lifts. These lifts should be at every pool, wading pool, and spa. There are many details to consider like where it’s placed, how much space is around it, and how it works. These details are explained in the ADA standards. If there’s a lift, it shows the property cares about accessibility.

c. Install Signage

As discussed earlier, putting up signs is important for making sure your property follows ADA rules. For instance, signs like “van accessible” and ones that show how much space is overhead in your parking lot can help people with disabilities feel safe and welcome. Signs for entrances and rooms also help people find their way around.

When you make signs, make sure to stick to the ADA rules. Here are a few more tips for making signs that follow ADA rules:

  • Don’t use shiny surfaces.
  • Pick colors that contrast well and are easy to read.
  • Use simple, clear fonts.

d. Heaving Sidewalks

Sidewalks that rise or shift can be tough for wheelchairs to move across. This often happens because of tree roots or the ground settling over time. According to ADA standards, sidewalks can only change in height by a maximum of 1⁄4 inch before they need to slope gradually, up to a total of 3⁄4 inch. There’s not much room for error here, and it’s easy to spot sidewalks that are significantly raised.

e. Add Ramps

Following ADA rules, making pathways for people to walk involves sidewalks, walkways, ramps, and taking care of the pavement. To make it easier for visitors with disabilities, you might want to add ramps, especially if there are changes in the ground level.

ADA suggests having ramps that aren’t too steep so that everyone, including those with different needs, can use them easily. If possible, include stairs next to ramps, especially for people who find it easier to walk a distance than climb stairs, like someone with heart disease.

If it makes sense, think about having a mix of walkways, open paths, and ramps. This way, you create a friendly and easy-to-follow route for all visitors.

 

Closing Thoughts

 

Ensuring ADA compliance isn’t just about meeting legal requirements; it’s about creating inclusive environments where everyone feels welcome. By prioritizing digital accessibility, maintaining physical infrastructure, and implementing ADA guidelines, property managers contribute to a more inclusive society while mitigating legal risks. Let’s work together to make our properties accessible to all and uphold the principles of equality and inclusivity.

 

 

 

Author Bio: Emilie Brown works with the Digital Marketing team at PREP, an AI-based remediation software that enables businesses to create WCAG and ADA-compliant PDFs in minutes. Her approach and methodology is simple, concise, and to the point and connect with readers seeking for solution-driven content on topics related to accessibility and remediation. Apart from her time at work, she loves to spend time with her dog, volunteer and play her guitar.

 

 

Feature Photo by Marcus Aurelius: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-woman-using-laptop-4063619/