Why Pools Need to be ADA Compliant

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act

The Department of Justice issued new requirements for owners of public pools and spas in 2010, which was great news for accessibility supporters.

The ADA sets certain rules for public swimming pools to guarantee that they are accessible to everyone. These regulations apply to newly constructed swimming pools, wading pools, and spas, as well as existing pools that must meet specified criteria.

Hotel owners and others with public water amenities are required to provide accessible entry and exit points for people with disabilities, according to the regulations. Extensions until early 2013 were granted to some property owners, giving them more time to comply.

To achieve accessible entries and exits, hotels can install an ADA-compliant pool lift or build sloped entries into their pools and spas. To be compliant, these lifts must meet certain requirements, such as clear floor space, seat width, and load capacity.

To ensure that your facility conforms, review the requirements overview below.

Program Accessibility

The ADA highlights the significance of equal access by requiring that facilities provide activities that are open and accessible to all people, including those with disabilities. This necessitates accommodating activities such as pool-related special events, swimming classes, and open swim periods.

Programs that need certain physical or mental demands by nature, or when the financial and administrative costs needed to change a program are too large, are exceptions to this rule.

Barrier Removals

Pool lifts and entrances can be added to ensure that everyone has equitable access, and they are required to be fixed to a surface. The ADA’s Title III mandates that certain accommodations be installed unless doing so would be prohibitively difficult or costly.

Accessibility Maintenance

Simply having accessibility devices at a pool isn’t enough. During all open pool hours, the equipment must be maintained and accessible to all individuals.

It would be a violation to prohibit the use of a pool lift to specific hours of the day. Those who need them should have the same access to the pool as their non-disabled peers.

Make sure that your criteria for frequent, high-quality maintenance are the same for both normal equipment and equipment for those with disabilities.

Staff Training

Pool personnel and employees must be sufficiently trained to help in their operation. This includes using an ADA-compliant pool lift and other accessibility equipment, as well as being aware of any special safety precautions.

Looking for an ADA Compliant Pool Lift?

Pool Lift Specialists offers high-quality products that can be used by establishments to better serve people with disabilities. If you need pool lifts, contact us today.

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