ADA compliance

Walmart Enhances In-Store Accessibility with Specialized Caroline’s Carts

by Katie Lee September 12, 2024

Bentonville, Ark. — Walmart has introduced Caroline’s Carts into all its stores in several states: Arizona, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, New Mexico, Colorado, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. The specially designed carts help caregivers of children and adults with disabilities navigate Walmart stores more easily. The retailer’s multimillion-dollar investment is part of a larger commitment to champion inclusivity and accessibility in all its stores. “Helping our customers save money and live better is more than our mission — it’s our driving force,” says Cedric Clark, executive vice president of store …

September 12, 2024

ADA compliance construction and design Industry Voices remodels restaurants

Beneficial Buildouts

by Katie Lee July 3, 2024

— By David Gabbai — How restaurant tenants can be built to save. Due to challenges like high interest rates and construction costs, the price of owning, building, remodeling and leasing restaurant space has gone through the roof. It can be a difficult time to own and maintain a restaurant business and restaurant space. However, forward-thinking restaurant tenants and retail landlords are finding creative ways to make things work. We are seeing these imaginative solutions play out in lease terms and structures, which can be done in a way that …

July 3, 2024

ADA compliance green news Industry Voices parking lots property management signage vendors

Shining Bright

by Katie Lee June 12, 2024

— By Jeremy Johnson — The case for solar-powered signage in parking lots. In today’s competitive retail and hospitality landscape, every aspect of a business must be optimized to create a positive and memorable customer experience. Although the parking lot usually represents the first interaction a customer has with an organization, it is often overlooked, and one crucial element is signage. Retailers, restaurants and property managers can significantly improve their parking lots by incorporating signage that is solar-powered, reaping a multitude of benefits that extend beyond mere aesthetics. In this …

June 12, 2024

ADA compliance construction and design News remodels restaurants

Starbucks Announces New Accessibility Guidelines for its U.S. Store Portfolio

by Katie Lee February 16, 2024

Seattle — On Feb. 16, 2024, Starbucks Coffee Company announced that it is creating a more accessible store experience across its U.S. store portfolio through an Inclusive Spaces Framework. The first store to be built using the inclusive design framework opened on Feb. 16 in Washington, D.C. The new store features items such as optimized acoustics and lighting for improved visual and audible communication for customers and accessible equipment designs for a better partner (employee) experience among other features. The Inclusive Spaces Framework was created in partnership with a diverse …

February 16, 2024

ADA compliance Industry Voices parking lots signage

Flexible Arrangement

by Katie Lee August 2, 2023

— By Jeremy Johnson — How to maintain ADA compliance and avoid potential litigation: flexible signpost vs. concrete pyramid base. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets requirements for accessible parking spaces that businesses and municipalities must follow. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines and legal action. According to ADA.gov, businesses and municipalities found to be in violation of ADA regulations can face up to a $75,000 fine for the first incident and $150,000 for any additional failures to comply. According to the California Commission on …

August 2, 2023

ADA compliance construction and design Industry Voices remodels

Remodel Budgeting

by Katie Lee April 2, 2020

— By Blake Callahan — Essential steps to plan for success. There are many phases of a remodel project depending on the size of the project: planning, budgeting, demolition, construction/build-back and cleanup. There’s also a great deal of questions that go with each of these phases. I’m going to focus on the ever-important budgeting aspect of the remodel phase. It’s been determined that nearly 2/3 of companies surveyed did not make expected profit and three or four large budget fails is enough to put most companies out of business. …

April 2, 2020

ADA compliance Industry Voices parking lots

A Lot to Consider

by Katie Lee March 26, 2020

— By Dr. Andrae Holliday, Sr. Accessibility requirements for your retail and restaurant parking lots. According to ADA.gov, more than 50 million Americans — 18% of our population — have disabilities. Each one is a potential customer. Studies show that once people with disabilities find a business where they can shop or get services in an accessible manner, they become repeat customers. Are your parking lots ADA compliant? If you’re unsure, you could be losing business or — worse still — facing lawsuits and fines. Since its inception …

March 26, 2020