• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Upcoming dvm360 Conferences
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
Veterinary Heroes
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

ADA compliance

November 1, 2006
Phil Seibert, CVT

Make sure your goods and services are available to handicapped pet owners.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that you remove architectural or communication barriers when this goal is "readily achievable." You'd likely make physical changes to comply with the ADA during a remodel, renovation, or new construction. If you own your facility, it's your responsibility to make changes. If you lease, you're responsible if your lease agreement gives you the right to make physical changes to the building.

When an individual's access is restricted, you must find ways to make your goods and services available through alternative methods. For example, if your historic landmark building isn't wheelchair accessible because of severe limitations on structural changes, you could arrange a house-call appointment or retrieve the animal from the client's vehicle and return it.

The key: Communicate with the client about his or her needs and preferences. If you can't meet the client's requests for special accommodation, contact an attorney or consultant knowledgeable in ADA issues for guidance.

Advertisement

Unlike many regulations, the ADA isn't enforced by a separate bureau or agency. If a person believes he or she was unlawfully denied access to your business because of a handicap, he or she would use the ADA as the basis for a lawsuit against you.

Although the ADA is federally mandated, state and local ordinances sometimes place additional requirements and restrictions on building and renovation projects. Obtain input from your architect and attorney at the planning phase of a project to ensure your practice complies.

Philip Seibert

For more, visit ada.gov. For guidance on a specific situation, consult an attorney versed in disability laws.

Philip Seibert, CVT, is an author, speaker, and consultant with Veterinary Practice Consultants in Calhoun, Tenn. Send questions or comments to ve@advanstar.com.

Related Content:

Owners
Veterinary-owned management companies: Why not?
Veterinary-owned management companies: Why not?
The four-letter word to why you're burning out and feeling unproductive
The four-letter word to why you're burning out and feeling unproductive
Fear Free environments for more than just pets
Fear Free environments for more than just pets

Advertisement

Latest News

3 Must-reads for National Pet Dental Health Month

Veterinary Dentistry Specialists first to apply human fracture repair technology to companion animals

Long Island University debuts College of Veterinary Medicine Learning Center

Paving the way for a more diversified veterinary profession

View More Latest News
Advertisement