VITALIA Active Adult Community – Rockside Provides for Disability Independence

July 26^th 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 VITALIA Active Adult Community® – Rockside, an ADA compliant community that serves several individuals with disabilities, I work every day to keep our building accessible and safe.

Things have changed since the adoption of the ADA. Communities now allow service animals and have apartments specifically designed for someone who may be wheelchair bound. It’s important to offer services regardless of physical ability.

Some of the things we do to be compliant with the American with Disabilities Act include having our front doors in each lobby self-open at the push of a button. We have door closers that assist in closing the door after a resident enters their apartment and we also offer showers with seats for disabled residents to be able to bathe.

Our weekly tasks that take ADA compliance into consideration are making sure our common areas are clean and free of debris. We don’t want any disabled person to have difficulty moving around our community. I check the door opening devices for proper operation, to not impede residents.

At home, I keep my walkways clear and clean. I also make sure all areas of my house are accessible for anyone.

Our goal in everything we do is to continue providing the best possible accessibility opportunities to everyone within our community.