• ADA Compliance Guide for Los Gatos Businesses

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is landmark federal legislation that protects the civil rights of people with disabilities. For businesses, accessibility includes both physical access to facilities and, in some circumstances, access to digital services and websites.

    Why Accessibility Matters

    • It’s the law. Title III of the ADA requires covered businesses to remove architectural barriers in existing facilities when doing so is readily achievable. California also has its own accessibility requirements for businesses and properties.

    • It’s good business. Americans with disabilities control roughly $490 billion in yearly spending. Welcoming them drives sales and community loyalty.

    • It can limit legal exposure. California law allows statutory damages and attorney’s fees in certain accessibility claims. A proactive accessibility plan—including a qualifying CASp inspection where appropriate—can help businesses identify barriers and may provide important legal protections.

     

    1. Protecting Your Business

    Make accessibility part of your regular business operations—both in person and online:

    • Consider a CASp inspection. A Certified Access Specialist can identify accessibility barriers, explain which standards apply to your property, and provide a report with recommended corrections. If you obtain a qualifying CASp inspection and report before a construction-related accessibility claim is filed, you may be eligible for important legal protections, including a 90-day stay of court proceedings and an early evaluation conference.

     

    • Review your website and digital content. Website accessibility is an important area of concern for California businesses. Check that your website can be navigated by keyboard, images include meaningful alternative text, videos have captions, forms and links are accessible, and text has sufficient contrast. Consider an accessibility audit and ongoing monitoring rather than relying solely on an automated accessibility scanner.

     

    • Run regular self-checks. Furniture moves, rugs curl, and conditions change. Periodically walk through your property and check parking, accessible routes, entrances, restrooms, public areas, and signage.

     

    • Train your staff. Employees are often the first point of contact for customers with disabilities. Include a brief accessibility refresher in staff meetings and document the training.

    • Keep good records. Maintain CASp reports, invoices, before-and-after photos, repair records, website accessibility evaluations, remediation records, and staff training logs. Good documentation can help demonstrate your efforts to identify and address accessibility issues.

     

    2. Common ADA Trouble Spots​

    Physical Accessibility

    • Parking & exterior: Faded or missing accessible parking markings, improper slopes, damaged pavement, or inaccessible routes

    • Entrances & doors: Door hardware that is difficult to operate, excessive thresholds, inadequate maneuvering space, or steps without an accessible route

    • Restrooms: Missing or improperly positioned grab bars, inaccessible fixtures, or dispensers that are out of reach

    • Sales & seating areas: Narrow aisles or routes, inaccessible seating, or service counters without an accessible portion where required

    • Signage: Missing or improperly installed tactile/Braille signage, inadequate contrast, or signage mounted at the wrong height

    Digital Accessibility

    • Website navigation: Pages and menus that cannot be navigated effectively using a keyboard or assistive technology

    • Images & graphics: Missing or inadequate alternative text

    • Videos & audio: Missing captions or other accessibility features

    • Forms & links: Labels, instructions, error messages, or links that are difficult to identify or use with assistive technology

    • Text & design: Insufficient color contrast, difficult-to-read text, or content that is difficult to resize or reflow

    A CASp inspection can help identify physical accessibility barriers, determine which standards apply to your property, and establish a plan for addressing needed corrections..

    3. Resources at a Glance

    Tax Incentives and Credits

    Your business may be eligible for tax incentives that help cover accessibility improvements. Incentives can be stacked: you may claim the federal credit and deduction in the same year, add the state credit, and finance through CalCAP.

    4. Getting Started Checklist

    1) Schedule a CASp inspection.

    2) Address readily achievable barriers promptly, starting with low-cost changes.

    3) Create a phased plan and budget for larger alterations.

    4) Explore available financing and tax incentives.

    5) Train staff and document accessibility improvements.

    Disclaimer: This Guide offers general information, not legal or tax advice. Please consult a qualified CASp, attorney, or tax professional for guidance specific to your business.

     

    This guide was created by the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce to support compliance and accessibility for all.  

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