If it fails: the first hour
What the site contact should do before the technician arrives.
- Clear any temporary obstruction from the accessible route immediately if one is found
- Post a temporary sign directing to an alternate accessible entrance if the primary one is blocked
- Log the issue and repair timeline for the facility's compliance record
What fails
Parking slope and van-accessible space shortfallsAccessible parking spaces exceeding the 2 percent maximum slope, or a site with too few van-accessible spaces relative to its total accessible space count, are among the most commonly cited violations in ADA lawsuits.
Curb ramps steeper than 1:12A curb ramp built or settled to a slope steeper than the 1:12 maximum rise-to-run ratio is difficult or unsafe for a wheelchair user to navigate and is a frequent finding in site surveys.
Door hardware requiring tight grasping or twistingRound doorknobs, rather than lever handles, fail the operable parts requirement, and doors requiring more than 5 pounds of force to open present another common interior violation.
Restroom clearances and grab bar placementInsufficient turning radius, grab bars mounted at the wrong height, or a lavatory with insufficient knee clearance are common restroom findings that require plumbing and fixture work to correct.
Signage missing required tactile and Braille elementsPermanent room signage, such as restroom and exit signs, must include raised characters and Braille at a specified mounting height, which older signage often lacks.
Accessible route obstructionsMerchandise displays, furniture, or temporary storage placed in the accessible route narrow it below the required 36-inch minimum clear width, a violation that changes day to day in retail environments.
Counter and service area heightsCheckout counters, service counters, and reception desks built or later remodeled without a section at 36 inches or lower fail the accessible counter requirement.
What a service call includes
- Measuring parking lot slopes, accessible space counts, and van-accessible space ratios against the site's total parking
- Checking curb ramp slopes, cross slopes, and landing dimensions along the accessible route
- Testing door opening force and hardware type at all primary and accessible entrances
- Verifying restroom clearances, grab bar height and placement, and fixture heights
- Reviewing signage for required tactile characters, Braille, and mounting height
- Documenting findings with photos, measurements, and a reference to the specific 2010 ADA Standards section violated
- Prioritizing findings by risk and estimated repair cost so the facility can plan a phased correction
Preventive checklist
The items a maintenance program should carry for this system. Build a combined checklist across systems with the checklist builder.
Quarterly
- Walk accessible routes for temporary obstructions like displays, cones, or stored equipment
- Check that accessible parking signage remains visible and undamaged
Annual
- Commission a full site survey against current ADA Standards, especially after any remodel or new construction
- Review any complaints or barrier reports received during the year and confirm they were addressed
What it costs
| item | typical range | what moves it |
|---|---|---|
| ADA site survey, small commercial property | $500 to $2,500 | Cost scales with site size and whether interior and exterior are both included. |
| Curb ramp regrading or replacement | $1,500 to $5,000 per ramp | Full concrete replacement costs more than an asphalt overlay correction. |
| Door hardware replacement to lever handles | $150 to $400 per door | Includes hardware and installation; automatic door operators cost significantly more. |
| Restroom accessibility retrofit | $3,000 to $15,000 per restroom | Depends on whether plumbing relocation is needed or only fixtures and grab bars are being corrected. |
| Accessible signage replacement | $50 to $150 per sign | Covers tactile and Braille compliant signage at required mounting heights. |
National ranges. Local labor, access, after-hours timing and materials move them. Multi-site programs usually price below one-off calls.
How to choose a provider
- Ask whether the assessor references the current 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design in their report
- Request a sample report to see whether findings are documented with measurements and photos, not general impressions
- Confirm whether the firm can also perform repairs or only identifies issues for a separate contractor
- Ask how findings are prioritized, since not every violation carries the same legal or safety risk
- Confirm familiarity with any state or local accessibility codes that go beyond the federal ADA standard
Questions
What is the maximum slope for an ADA accessible parking space?
Accessible parking spaces and their access aisles are limited to a 2 percent slope in any direction under the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
How many van-accessible parking spaces does a commercial site need?
The ratio depends on the total number of accessible spaces required by the site's total parking count; generally one in every six accessible spaces must be van-accessible, with a minimum of one.
Is a business legally required to fix every ADA violation immediately?
The ADA requires removing barriers when readily achievable, without a fixed timeline for private businesses, but unaddressed violations create ongoing legal exposure and are commonly the basis for complaints and lawsuits.
What is the required clear width for an accessible route?
A minimum of 36 inches of clear width is required along an accessible route, with limited exceptions for narrower passing points.