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 Boulevard Senior Living – Wentzville, an ADA-compliant community that serves several individuals with disabilities, I work every day to keep our building accessible and safe.
In the 30 years since the ADA laws went into effect, persons with disabilities have better access to living their lives without barriers. It’s important to allow all persons the ability to live their lives as free from obstructions as possible.
Some of the things we do to be compliant with the American with Disabilities Act include providing lifts in our buses, which allows individuals in wheelchairs the ability to take part in off-campus activities. The safety bars in the bathrooms allow individuals the ability to clean themselves safely while also maintaining their independent lifestyle.
Some of the weekly tasks we do to ensure ADA compliance is testing the hot water temperatures, as well as verifying the Nurse Call System is working properly. These tasks ensure hot water will not burn residents and, if the need should arise for a resident to activate their care pendant, a nurse will respond quickly.
At home I like to keep trip hazards eliminated. While it seems like a commonsense issue, it also goes a long way to make sure that those with disabilities are safe.
Our goal in everything we do is to continue providing the best possible accessibility opportunities to everyone within our community.
The Boulevard Senior Living of Saint Charles in St. Charles, MO offers 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 SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital St. Charles with convenient access to major shopping centers and clubs, including St. Peters Golf Club, Mid Rivers Mall, Katy Trail, Main Street St. Charles, New Town at St.Charles, and the Streets of St. Charles.