Compliance Consultation Services

ADA INSPECTION & COMPLIANCE CONSULTANTS

We review commercial and municipal properties for ADA compliance – call today to speak with a licensed certified access specialist (CASP)

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ADA COMPLIANCE CONSULTATION SERVICES

ADA Compliance Consulting Services For both Physical Properties and Websites Don’t wait – get a CASp Survey Today! We suggest having a CASp consultation firm review your property and website before any potential lawsuit might arise. From the moment a customer uses your parking lot, to your doorways, bathrooms, and more – is the moment your potential for an ADA lawsuit doubles. Having a certified access specialist (CASp) review your publicly accessible locations is the first step in mitigating your risk for any issues.

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INSPECT YOUR PROPERTY FOR ADA COMPLIANCE

We review all commercial and governmental properties for disability accessbility issues and DSA oversight. Hiring and competent firm is the first priority any new or existing property owner should consider. Mitigating any risk associated with disability access lawsuits should remain a priority until reviewed by a CASp Inspection company. We provide you constructive counsel, clear processes and ongoing communication. We specialize in: DSA on-site, long inspections, access assessments, with clear plan for transitions. Our consultants are licensed and certified construction professionals who will understand the complexity of your project early and will counsel your team in advance of any challenges.

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ADA INSPECTIONS, CONSULTATIONS, & MORE

What is ADA Access? Often also referred to as “Disability Access” or “Handicap Access” by others, ADA Access is short for Americans with Disabilities ACT which was passed in 1990. The main purpose of handicap accessibility is to require commercial facilities as well as public accommodations to become accessible to individuals with disabilities. “Disability Access Inspection” is when a commercial property hires a professional Certified Access Specialist / CASP before they are taken to court for lack disability access to the general public.

  • ADA Specialists
  • Reviewing your property for lack of accessibility. Saving you thousands in potential lawsuits for lack of access for the handicap.
  • CASp Surveys
  • Performing an accessibility survey by a Certified Access Specialist.
  • ADA Website Review & Development
  • Reviewing your website for handicap compliance and WCAG 2.0
ADA PARKING LOT INSPECTION

Most ADA lawsuits begin with the parking lot because that is where the first point of entry to your publicly accessible property exists.

ADA CURB & RAMP INSPECTION

Following the parking lot, curbs, ramps, and railways along those areas are subject to ADA scrutiny due to the location.

ADA DOORWAY INSPECTION

Having doors easily enough for everyone to pull and/or push open is a common ADA compliance issue.

ADA BATHROOM INSPECTION​

With most commercial properties being outdated, bathroom access is typical not ADA compliant as well.

ALL COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES

There are numerous areas on a property which will need to be reviewed by a Certified Access Specialist.

BLUEPRINTS FOR CONSTRUCTION

Following the ADA Inspection will be the planning & construction process in which we can assist with as well.

ADA REPORTING & CONSULTING​

We can review your property for compliance with the Americans with Disability Act.

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ADA STRIPING & CONSTRUCTION

Once the ADA report is finalized, we’ll send it to one of our ADA contractors if you’d like.

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ADA WEBSITE CONSULTING

We suggest reviewing your corporate website and online presence for ADA Compliance.

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WHY MARTIN BROS

Although our company name is “Martin Brothers Construction Services” – We are licensed CASp and who review properties for ADA Compliance throughout Southern CA. Our Pledge to You – we pledge to have been thoroughly tested on the Americans with Disability Act knowledge of the state of California and federal accessibility standards. With our inspection and report, in addition to inspecting / learning your facility’s accessibility status, you can receive legal benefits if taken to court for lack of access or other non-compliance status.

Email: [email protected]

Licensed CASp

Certified Access Specialists in the state of California.

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Experienced

Over 10 years of experience as a CASp.

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Competitive Pricing

Our pricing is extremely competitive.

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A Certified Access Specialist (CASp) is a professional who has passed an examination and has been certified by the State of California to have specialized knowledge of the applicability of state and federal construction-related accessibility standards. A CASp will know which standards apply to your property based on the age of your facility and its history of improvements. While a licensed design professional, such as an architect or engineer, can provide you an access compliance evaluation of your facility, only a CASp can provide services that offer you “qualified defendant” status in a construction-related accessibility lawsuit.

We can help you with your inspection. You can find an independent CASp on the list by looking for the CASp in your geographic region that states he/she performs inspections. For ease in using the list, click on the “Phone #” link in the gray header of the list, and the list will sort by area code. Those with a “Yes” in the “Do Inspections” column are independent CASps who are available for hire.
You may also consult with a CASp by contacting your local city or county building department; however, a CASp employed or retained by a local building department is only authorized to offer information regarding compliance to California construction-related accessibility standards, and not the ADA, and will usually only provide these services for new construction, additions, or alterations submitted for approval for permit.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination of individuals with disabilities and requires all facilities used by the public (public accommodations) to be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Since January 26, 1992, all new construction, additions and alterations are required to comply with the ADA standards. The ADA contains no “grandfathering” provisions. The “applicable construction-related accessibility standards” are based on the age of the facility and/or date of renovation(s): Facilities Built/Renovated Before January 26, 1992 Places of public accommodation constructed before this date are required to remove barriers if it is “readily achievable to do so” – a CASp can help make this determination. Facilities Built/Renovated Between January 26, 1992 and March 14, 2012 Places of public accommodation built during this time are required to be in compliance with the 1991 Americans with Disabilities Act Standards (1991 ADAS) or the equivalent provision in the building code in place at the time of construction or renovation. Additionally, barriers must be removed if it is readily achievable to do so. Facilities Built/Renovated after March 15, 2012 Places of public accommodation and commercial facilities built after this time must be built in compliance with the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act Standards (2010 ADAS) and the standards of the building code in place at the time of construction or renovation. In addition, accessible features are required to be maintained at your facility. Failure to come into compliance or maintain compliance leaves you vulnerable to having a discrimination claim filed against you by an individual that is denied access to your business or facility due to physical access barriers.

While the building code changes regularly, these changes do not cause a facility to become non-compliant. Facilities must comply with both federal and state accessibility standards; however, the current version of state and federal accessibility standards is not necessarily applicable to your existing facility. A CASp will know, based on its age and history of improvements, which version of the code and standards (also known as the “construction-related accessibility standard.”) is applicable for determining compliance of your facility.

For business owners who employ less than 50 employees over the past three years and opt to achieve compliance within 120 days from receiving a CASp inspection of their facility, there is a grace period from liability from statutory damages. In order to receive the grace period, the CASp must post notices at the facility inspected and also notify DSA that he/she has performed an inspection of the facility so that DSA can post such information on a list on its website. For these corrections, any plans going through the local building department are also entitled to an expedited review if the applicant presents the disability access inspection certificate, declares that the project is for the correction of violations as listed in a CASp’s inspection report, and a CASp has reviewed the project plans submitted for permit.

The disability access inspection certificate (Certificate) is a record of inspection, not a certificate of compliance. A CASp does not certify that a facility meets compliance with issuance of a Certificate. A Certificate is required to be issued to you with a CASp inspection report whether or not your facility is determined to meet applicable construction-related accessibility standards. Business/facility owners should accept no other certificate offered by a CASp other than a Certificate purchased from the Division of the State Architect. Certificates are blue, sequentially numbered, and bear a golden State of California Seal. The Certificate number is recorded by the CASp in a record book maintained for that purpose and identifies that the certificate is issued in conjunction with a specific CASp inspection report. You are not required to post the Certificate at the facility that was inspected, but you should have it readily available to offer it as proof that your facility has been inspected. If you do decide to post the Certificate, you may want to post a color copy and keep the original with the inspection report, as site conditions may cause the Certificate to fade or deteriorate. CASp inspection reports, however, should remain confidential and should only be disclosed after seeking the advice of an attorney.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA Guidelines) ADA Ramp Slope, ADA Requirements & ADA Code Guidelines The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides Wheelchair Ramp Specification, code and handicap access guidelines that most business are required to meet. Most residential applications (please see our residential or light duty commercial Pathway ADA wheelchair ramps) do not need to meet ADA code and ADA guidelines, but they are a good reference point for recommended ADA ramp slope and lengths. Most businesses, churches, schools and other organizations must be in compliance with ADA ramp specifications and ADA guidelines for handicapped wheelchair ramp slope access. Contact your local building inspector for additional ADA compliant ramp information. ADA Ramp Specifications Require a 1:12 ramp slope ratio which equals 4.8 degrees slope or one foot of wheelchair ramp for each inch of rise. For instance, a 30 inch rise requires a 30 foot handicap wheelchair ramp. ADA Guidelines Require a Minimum 5′ x 5′ Flat, unobstructed area at the top and bottom of the ramp. ADA Standards Require wheelchair ramps to have a Minimum width of 36 inches of clear space across the wheelchair ramp. Massachusetts and California ADA code now require 48 inches ramp width to be an ADA compliant ramp. ADA Code Compliance Require a Minimum Turn Platform size of 5′ x 5′. California ADA ramp code now requires a minimum 6 foot (in the direction of travel) platform size. ADA Guidelines for Wheelchair Ramps allow a Maximum run of 30 feet of wheelchair ramp before a rest or turn platform. ADA Ramp Guidelines Require ADA Ramp handrails that are between 34″ and 38″ in height on both sides of the wheelchair ramps.

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Certification applies only to a CASp, and indicates that the individual has passed an examination and is certified by the State of California to have a specialized knowledge and application of state and federal laws and standards governing rights of individuals with disabilities. A CASp can conduct an inspection of your facility for compliance to applicable construction-related accessibility standards, but does not, and cannot, issue certification that a facility is compliant, nor can a CASp certify that a manufacturer’s product meets accessibility requirements. A CASp can only issue a disability access inspection certificate, which is a record that a CASp has performed an accessibility inspection of your facility, and that you hold an inspection report and schedule according to the requirements of CRASCA.

You can retain the services of a CASp at any time, however, “qualified defendant” status is only provided if you receive an inspection of your existing facility, a report from a CASp, and have a compliance schedule in place before a construction-related accessibility claim is filed. The “qualified defendant” benefits are as follows:
Reduced statutory damages (See “What is my potential liability if I am not in compliance?”; for more information
90-day stay of court proceeding and an early evaluation conference.
Additionally, an inspection by a CASp and following the schedule of improvements demonstrates the intent to be in compliance.

There is no law that requires a property owner or tenant to hire a CASp. If you are a business or property owner, your election not to hire a CASp shall not be admissible to prove your lack of intent to comply with the ADA or California law. If a CASp solicits your business with threat of legal action of a construction-related accessibility claim if you do not contract for services, you should immediately file a complaint with DSA.

While either or both can be sued, the ADA places the legal obligation to remove barriers, provide auxiliary aids and services, and maintain compliance of accessible features at a place of public accommodation on both the landlord and the tenant. The landlord and the tenant may specify within the terms of the lease who is responsible for which areas of the facility, but both remain legally responsible. Landlords (lessors) are required to disclose on every lease form or rental agreement executed on or after July 1, 2013, whether the property being leased or rented has undergone inspection by a CASp, and, if so, whether the property has or has not been determined to meet all applicable construction-related accessibility standards.

A CASp can provide to you a variety of accessibility services, including providing consultation and inspection of the public accommodation areas of your facility, and plan review of permit documentation. All CASps are required to provide you with a written agreement, which should specify the scope of work the CASp is providing. Most importantly, if you are seeking the services that offer you “qualified defendant” status, then the agreement should, at a minimum, include the following information: Define the public accommodation area of your facility being inspected. State that a CASp inspection report prepared according to the Construction-Related Accessibility Standards Compliance Act (CRASCA, Civil Code §55.51-55.545) State that a disability access inspection certificate will be provided. Include the CASp’s certification number and certification expiration date. Contain a place for both parties to sign the agreement.

We encourage you to have all areas of your facility that are available to the public included in the CASp inspection. Your “qualified defendant”; status will not carry over to non-inspected public areas in which you receive a claim for a violation. You may ask your CASp for guidance on areas you are unsure of. CASp reports are on public areas of your facility– not areas of your business accessible only to employees.

A CASp inspection report prepared according to the Construction-Related Accessibility Standards Compliance Act (CRASCA, Civil Code §55.51-55.545) must have specific required content in order to offer a “qualified defendant” status. The report should state that the site either “meets applicable standards” or “inspected by a CASp.” For a site that “meets applicable standards” the inspection report shall contain the following information: An identification and description of the inspected structures and areas of the site. A signed and dated statement that, in the opinion of the CASp, the inspected structures and areas of the site meet construction-related accessibility standards. The statement shall clearly indicate whether the determination of the CASp includes an assessment of “readily achievable barrier removal.” If a determination of “meets applicable standards” was issued in a report after corrections were made as a result of a CASp inspection, then the report shall contain a signed and dated statement by the CASp that indicates such and includes an itemized list of all corrections and dates of completion. For a site that is “inspected by a CASp” the inspection report shall contain the following information: An identification and description of the inspected structures and areas of the site. A signed and dated statement that, in the opinion of the CASp, the inspected structures and areas of the site need correction to meet construction-related accessibility standards. The statement shall clearly indicate whether the determination of the CASp includes an assessment of “readily achievable barrier removal.” An identification and description of the structures or areas of the site that need correction and the correction needed. A schedule of completion for each of the corrections within a reasonable timeframe. The CASp may request that a schedule for corrections be provided by you and submitted to the CASp for inclusion in the inspection report, depending on the nature and extent of improvements, or may work with you in establishing a reasonable schedule for correction of violations. A schedule of corrections is required, however, in order for you to have “qualified defendant” status. If you are a business owner that has employs 50 or fewer employees average over the past three years, and you opt to correct within 120 days all violations that are listed in the CASp inspection report, the CASp may acknowledge in the report that you have opted for a 120-day schedule. Along with your CASp inspection report you will receive from the CASp a disability access inspection certificate and a notice about the safekeeping of CASp inspection reports. It is important that you try your best to adhere to the reasonable schedule to demonstrate your desire to achieve compliance. If you adhere to your correction schedule and a claim is filed against you, you may be eligible for reduced liability for statutory damages. If you have opted to correct all violations listed in the report within the 120 from the inspection, you are eligible for a grace period from liability for minimum statutory damages if a claim is filed against you on the inspected area. What is “readily achievable barrier removal?”

The ADA states that facilities constructed before January 26, 1992, must remove barriers to accessing goods and services that are “easily accomplishable and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense.” This requirement is known as “readily achievable barrier removal.” An assessment of whether or not removal of barriers at a specific site is readily achievable is a detailed process that should take into consideration the following: Identification of barriers that prevent an individual from accessing goods and services at your business. The scope and cost of measures necessary to remove or mitigate the barriers. Careful examination of the overall financial resources of your business enterprise. You may not want to release the above personal information to the CASp you hire, and many CASps may not be qualified to make such a thorough assessment of “readily achievable barrier removal;” therefore, a CASp may provide to you information on how a determination of “readily achievable barrier removal” is made in order for you to determine if an accessibility improvement is readily achievable. If you or your CASp determine that an accessibility improvement is not readily achievable, you will want to retain any documentation that substantiates this determination in your files, along with the CASp inspection report.

If your CASp inspection report has a determination of “meets applicable standards”, then the CASp has determined your facility meets applicable construction-related accessibility standards. Keep the CASp inspection report in your records and maintain the accessible features of your facility. If your CASp inspection report has a determination of “inspected by a CASp” you should strive to adhere to your schedule for improvements to come into compliance with applicable construction-related accessibility standards. Keep the CASp inspection report in your records. After improvements to come into compliance have been made to your property, you do not need to obtain a final inspection from a CASp in order to obtain or maintain “qualified defendant” status; however, you may elect to do so to ensure that improvements were made in compliance to the applicable standards. Most important, maintain the accessible features of your facility.

Improvements to existing facilities, buildings, and sites, made with or without a permit, must comply with the accessibility provisions of the California Building Code and the ADA Standards. You should ask your local building department if any proposed improvement requires a permit and/or the services of a licensed design professional such as an architect or engineer.