In any area where disabled persons have steps to climb, it is ideal to provide an entryway that is safer for them to access. This includes installing half steps for disabled parties. It is a liability to have an unstable or unsafe entryway as persons with limitations will struggle to enter the facility. This can result in a serious injury to that person, resulting in a lawsuit.
Safer Entry
A safer point of entry is created by installing half steps for disabled parties. It is a smaller step upward and less of a risk to take a smaller step than to force the body to push harder. This often leaves persons with disabilities at a disadvantage because their bodies do not have the strength or stability to safely make it up steps.
Not only are half steps for disabled persons ideal for the reasons above but it is also beneficial for families with children and the elderly. Children are not able to make big steps like teens and adults and the elderly may not have the lifting power in their legs like they used to. Generally speaking, half steps are beneficial for more groups of people than just the disabled.
Welcomes Disabled Patrons
When you install these steps, it is welcoming those with disabilities into your establishment. They will feel more welcome being able to enter the facility safely. When disabled persons, families with children or the elderly enter your establishment safely, it makes them want to patronize the business more often.
The word will spread about your business being so easy to enter and access that positive reviews will help to increase your revenues. There are a lot of businesses that disabled persons cannot go to because of the inability to climb steps or enter safely. This works in your favour.
Shows the Business Pays Attention to Special Needs
This may seem like a small detail but it means a lot to the community. Business owners that take the time to create special entryways, or at least manageable ones for those with disabilities, receive positive mentions about town. The locals will chat with those on holiday and will mention the fact that your business is easy to enter because the steps are smaller. You won’t realise what a big difference this makes until someone mentions something positive about it.
What you can do is just watch how each patron easily treks through the establishment, including those with disabilities, to take care of the business they entered the door to handle.
It does seem like a small detail, but half steps for disabled patrons is something that all businesses should install, especially if there are multiple levels to the building. One single person falling or slipping can cause them a lifetime of pain or mobility troubles, not to mention a financial punch to the company bank account. Always put your patrons first when designing your business and think of every detail, including how easy it is for persons with disabilities, children and the elderly to climb stairs.