Expanding Your Market: Maintaining Accessible Features in Retail Establishments

Accessible Restrooms, Fitting Rooms, and Elevators

Equally important to the customer experience is the ability to move comfortably within the establishment and to try out or try on the merchandise. Maintenance of accessible restrooms and fitting rooms, customer service and product demonstration areas, and lifts and elevators is essential for all customers to fully enjoy the shopping experience and buy merchandise.

Maintenance List

• Unlock accessible public restrooms, toilet stalls, and fitting rooms and make sure they are available to customers with disabilities during business hours. They cannot be used as temporary storage areas or staff locker space.

• Eliminate furniture or equipment, such as shelving, large trashcans, and chairs, that take up required maneuvering space in fitting rooms and restrooms.

• Routinely refill the accessible paper towel and soap dispensers when all other dispensers are refilled.

• Maintain lifts and elevators regularly. Repair them whenever necessary, and return them to service as quickly as possible.

• Remove trash receptacles and cigarette urns from under elevator hall call buttons and beside doors to ensure access to controls and sufficient maneuvering clearance.