There are a few things that are routinely mentioned as being required by the ADA that are actually not required.
- Automatic/Electric doors. While it is true that the force necessary to open a door has a set limit under the ADA's Standards, electric or automatic doors are not required. They make good business sense for parents with strollers, delivery people, shoppers with their arms full of shopping bags, and people using walkers or crutches, in addition to people in wheelchairs.
- Elevators. It is a common assumption that elevators are required in any building with more than one floor. The ADA includes an elevator exemption that does not require the owner to install an elevator in a facility that is being altered if it is less than three (3) stories, or less than 3,000 square feet per story. Buildings not covered by this exemption are a shopping center or mall, the professional office of a health care provider, a terminal, depot or other station used for specified public transportation, or an airport passenger terminal.
- Braille is required on menus. Braille is not required on menus if a waiter or waitress is made available to read the menu to a blind customer.
- Sign language interpreters are always required. If an effective means of communication with a person who is deaf includes writing on a notepad, then that would suffice. Sign language interpreters are not always required, particularly if the cost to arrange such a service creates an undue hardship or burden.
Although features such as automatic doors are not required, and elevators are not required in certain circumstances, their existence often makes good business sense because of the benefit it provides to people with disabilities as well as other groups such as parents and families, and the aging population.
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