Back in the 80s when I worked at the Science Center, we had to make everything Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant.

I would think that any public estabishment would have to make their places ADA-compliant. Besides, advertising being ADA-compliant-friendly might bring more customers.

FL Rob, it gets a bit trickier with buildings that are 100 years old or more. Making them accessible without desecrating historical architecture can be challenging.

Hal,
I didn't know that, and not being familiar with Donna's, I didn't know they had those issues.

I know of a couple of older church buildings in my area that had to be retro-fitted with elevators and I know the fire hall can no longer be rented in our area because it has no lift or elevator. I'm guessing there's a clock ticking on how long places have to comply.

I spent a lot of time back in the 90's with a yard stick making sure there was 36" between the stacks so wheelchairs could get through. A lot of library staff were upset about having to comply with ADA, but I still think it is a good idea.

Retrofitting is expensive and can be difficult, but having to visit a restaurant before taking a friend in a wheelchair there is a major pain.

If I remember correctly, there was a problem with the late, lamented Marconi's because the only way in for wheelchairs was through an alley in the back.

Also, The Chameleon wasn't accessible to a friend who used a walker [and now a scooter]; he had to pull himself up the stairs hand-over-hand. Exiting was no easier. As much as he loved the restaurant, he had to forego returning because he couldn't handle the steps anymore.

Lissa, besides the 36" minimum width for aisles there are also Life Safety Code requirements for fire exits that mandate a 44" minimum width for main exit aisles and 36" for aisles that feed into main exit aisles. During one office revamp I actually lost half of my eighth of a window because the entry to the cubicle next to mine was about 5" shy of the 36" requirement. We had to move my whole cubicle to make up the difference. Since I was the local Safety and Health adviser I couldn't really argue about it.

bra1nchild, the ADA ramp requirements require relatively flat ramps with limits on how long they may run without a flat landing. I found this out when I helped build a ramp for a wheelchair-bound friend to get him from his garage floor to the two-step-up entrance to his new house.

My husband just attended a conference in Europe, and was astounded that the large conference room had only ONE exit. If there had been an emergency, people would have been trampled.

Just make sure all the strip clubs are all handicap accessible, that's the important thing.

Dahlink, in this country Occupancy Limits are based, in part, on the number of exits and their capacity. Can't speak for Germany or the EU. And people do get trampled even when there are adequate exits. Remember: In case of emergency, walk, don't run, to the nearest exit.

RiE, the other thing my husband noticed about the location of the exit in this conference hall is that it was right in front of the stage. No sneaking out unnoticed!

Spam at 6:18 AM! (Yup, it's that same UK shiller of vitamin supplements.)