July 29, 2022
July 26th is National Disability Independence Day, which commemorates the signing of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which happened on July 26, 1990. The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications, and access to state and local government programs and services.
ADA compliance means the appropriate and reasonable accommodations are in place for disabled persons. This includes things like large print, interpreters, wheelchair ramps, and allowing service animals.
Statistically, there are over 54 million Americans with a form of disability. When that number is broken down, that’s about 19 percent, or one in every five, Americans. As the population grows and ages, this number will only increase, making these regulations increasingly more important.
As the Plant Operations Director at The Parkway Senior Living, an ADA-compliant community that serves several individuals with disabilities, I work every day to keep our building accessible and safe.
I know there will come a time when most of us will have a disability or must care for a loved one that is disabled, which is why it is important that all public buildings and services are required to be ADA compliant.
Some things we do to be compliant with the American with Disabilities Act include accessible parking spaces available for residents, wheelchair accessible showers and restrooms, automatically opening entry doors, and lowered height counters in living areas.
Weekly tasks that take ADA compliance into consideration include making sure hallways and exits are not obstructed and any posted announcements are placed at a level where they can be read by someone in a wheelchair.
At home, I am required by the city to ensure that any sidewalks in front of my home always remain accessible.
Our goal in everything we do is to continue providing the best possible accessibility opportunities to everyone within our community.
The Parkway Senior Living in Blue Springs, MO offers senior villas, independent senior apartments, assisted living, and memory care with a variety of services and a range of floor plan options. Amenities include restaurant dining, 24-hour bistro, concierge service, housekeeping, events and entertainment, personal care, transportation services, and more. Centrally located near St. Mary’s Medical Center and St. Luke’s Eastwith convenient access to major shopping centers and attractions, including Adams Point Golf Course, KC Royals Stadum, KC Chiefs Stadium, Sporting KC, KC Comets, KC Mavericks, Adams Dairy Landing, and Blue Springs Parks, Trails, and Lakes .
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