Pueblo Businesses Riddled with Accessibility Violations

The appropriate signage for accessible parking spaces includes
the iconic international symbol for accessibility. 

The American Disability Act (ADA) was enacted in 1992 to prevent individuals with disabilities from being marginalized. The accessibility guidelines, which number in the hundreds, allow those who are blind, in wheelchairs, or disabled in other ways to experience public fixtures and businesses like everyone else. From the standpoint of a small business owner, conforming to all of the ADA's requirements is difficult and expensive. It's much more costly, however, to face litigation for failing to abide by the rules. It happens often; in fact, one Florida man sued over 1,000 public businesses and government entities for not complying with the ADA, according to WFTS Tampa Bay. Typical ADA violation lawsuits cost business owners around $15,000 in court costs and attorney fees. On the other hand, business owners can expect to earn up to $15,000 in yearly tax credits for being completely accessible. Being ADA compliant also means a larger customer base, since disabled potential customers are respected and accommodated. 

A compliant curb features a ramped slope to allow wheelchairs to access the sidewalk, is texturized for the ease of the blind, and possesses a large enough landing (or level space)  at the top of the ramp to allow wheelchairs sufficient space to turn. Landings must be at least 30" x 30".

Truncated domes are the most efficient way to help the blind know when they have entered the street or safely crossed the intersection. Although grooved textures are still ADA-compliant, these raised bumps render them obsolete.

In Pueblo, the most common violations occur at local mom and pop businesses or relatively older city streets and businesses, although no one is "grandfathered in" or otherwise exempt from following the guidelines. The act, which was updated in 2010, contains rules for parking spaces, sidewalks and curbs, crosswalks, bathrooms, elevators, doors, and virtually every aspect of being in public. 

The most common infraction involved proper signage for accessible parking spaces. As this is an easy and relatively inexpensive fix, these violations are most likely due to business owners' insufficient knowledge of the correct guidelines. 

Solar Roast Coffee, located at 226 N Main St, did not have any nearby accessible parking spaces. The remnants of a blue-painted curb are visible in the space furthest away from the camera, but the lot is still lacking proper signage and a ramp to access the sidewalk.

In a cruel bit of irony, Adult Medicine Specialists (1225 N Grand Ave), a place that surely serves disabled individuals, was lacking the proper signage for their accessible parking spaces. Although the spots are still painted and clearly designated, the ADA requires that signs 
be posted 5 feet high at the head of each space. 

At Go Fer Convenience Store, located at 1103 N Elizabeth St, the Colorado Lottery is advertised above the accessible parking space, rather than the required signage. 

As a business with between 51 and 75 total parking spaces, the Santa Fe Inn and Suites (730 N Santa Fe Ave) has three accessible spots and was completely compliant with ADA guidelines before one of the spaces was placed out of commission due to construction. Also, all three accessible parking spaces lacked proper signage. 

Calvary Church, located at 5 Tulane St, is technically ADA compliant because it possesses a sufficient number of properly-labeled accessible spaces in proportion to the total spaces in the lot, as six accessible spaces are required for every 100 regular spots. However, two of the spots were located approximately 90 feet away from the front door. 

In another twist of irony, McDivitt Law firm, on the corner of 4th St and Grand Ave, was lacking the designated sign on their accessible parking space. Should this firm ever be the defendant in an ADA lawsuit, they'd at least have their attorney fees covered. 

The second most common violation occurs primarily downtown, where the buildings are older and consequently feature older, less-accessible fixtures. According to the ADA, all door handles must be easily opened with minimal turning or twisting, and may not include latches. Similarly to the parking signage, this is a relatively simple and inexpensive fix, so the abundance of improper door handles is due to lack of education. 

 Incorrect door handles located at several restaurants, stores, and offices on Union Ave, 

arguably the most popular pedestrian spot in Pueblo.

With the City of Pueblo as the culprit, many of the sidewalks and curbs are also not up-to-code with ADA standards.  These guidelines, which include ramped curbs and textured crosswalk entrances, make traveling on sidewalks possible for those who use wheelchairs or individuals who are blind.

 Although truncated domes are the preferred texture for making sidewalks accessible for the blind, and the photograph does not depict an ADA violation,  these domes located on Union Ave are not placed at the entrance to a crosswalk and virtually serve zero purpose.

These curbs, located on N Elizabeth St and the corner of Arthur St and Pitkin St, respectively, are not ramped and therefore inaccessible for those in wheelchairs. The latter violation is especially concerning due to its close proximity to Pueblo Community College. 

Although these curbs off of Prairie St possess the proper style of ramp, they lack a landing at the top of the slope. Level landings are important for ease of mobility and turning for wheelchair users.

 In order for society to be inclusive of all members of the community, including the disabled, business owners and government entities alike need to be more aware of ADA standards, and most importantly, more motivated to comply. Thanks to legal protections like the ADA, equal opportunity for everyone is entirely achievable.