Reasonable Accommodation And Barrier Removal

This issue we go compliance-surfing for ADA freebies. The Americans With Disabilities Act applies to all businesses as well as state and local governments, but fortunately this is one of the few federal laws that has a bigger impact on other types of businesses than banks. Nevertheless, banks must do their part to remove barriers that would restrict service to disabled customers and to provide reasonable accommodation to disabled employees. Excellent materials relating to the act can be found a at http://muskie2.usmacs.maine.edu/~cdispol/INFODOC.htmJAN (the Job Accommodation Network) is the motherlode of workplace information. Here you can find a way to make any workstation suitable for employees with the full range of physical and mental disabilities. Check out JAN at http://janweb.icdi.wvu.eduWhile JAN offers help behind the counter, customer service areas must also be barrier free. For help on the other side of the counter check out the Access Board at http://www.access-board.gov. The Access Board sets the standards (ADAAG guidelines) for such things as parking lots, doors and the height and reach for ATMs and teller stations.

Another good source of information is the Justice Department's ADA Home Page at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm. DOJ enforces the ADA and also offers some very helpful hints for full compliance. Be sure to check out the "Checklist for Readily Achievable Barrier Removal".

Each of these sites features numerous links to other sites with a wealth of useful information about ADA. As usual, the price is right-FREE!

Copyright © 1997 Compliance Action. Originally appeared in Compliance Action, Vol. 2, No. 11, 9/97