“After disaster strikes older buildings, we aim to make restored areas more accessible for persons with disabilities than they were before,” says Mickey McHenry, President of Paul Davis Restoration of South Atlanta, Central Georgia, Northeast Georgia, and Lanier Isles. “It’s a huge opportunity because older structures are typically less compliant than newer construction.”
Why is accessibility top of mind for McHenry and his colleagues across the country? First, because it’s the law. Promulgated in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act bans discrimination against disabled individuals in all areas of public life: schools, workplaces, museums, transportation, indeed all public and private places open to the general public. If a private entity offers goods and services to the public, it must do its best to remove barriers that exclude those with disabilities.
No matter the reason for structural changes in older buildings – whether disaster-related or planned renovations – altered areas must comply. This means that Paul Davis Restoration teams scrutinize and frequently update these as part of a restoration project:
- Floor surfaces: firmness, stability, slip resistance, smoothness, transitions between surfaces and maneuverability
- Openings, space allowances and reach ranges
- Accessible routes, maneuvering distances and “paths of travel”
- Restrooms, sinks and water fountains
- Alarms, controls and operating mechanisms
- Ramps, stairs and elevators
It’s critical, McHenry urges, to seek a disaster recovery firm that understands ADA requirements and is very knowledgeable about design and implementation. Less savvy firms may cause property owners delays, increased expense and fines for non-compliance. Further, experienced firms frequently identify modifications that others may miss. These updates often help the building remain relevant and extend its useful life.
Here’s another big reason why accessibility is important as Paul Davis Restoration restores public spaces. “Accessibility offers a host of benefits like improving participation, strengthening social bonds, keeping the public safer, increasing traffic and commerce, and welcoming everyone equally,” McHenry emphasizes. “Fulfilling the letter and the spirit of the ADA is simply the right thing to do for people and communities.”
