Small Business and ADA Readily Achievable Requirements - A Factsheet from the ADA National Network

Factors to consider when making decisions about what is readily achievable (and not readily achievable)

Making decisions about barrier removal and whether it is readily achievable is done on a case-by-case basis. Factors to consider include:

1. The nature and cost of the barrier removal

2. The overall financial resources of the site or sites involved, including:

   1. The number of persons employed at the site;

   2. The effect on expenses and resources;

   3. Legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe operation, including crime prevention measures; and

   4. Any other impact of the action on the operation of the site.

3. The geographic separateness and the administrative or fiscal relationship of the site or sites to any parent corporation or entity

Based upon these criteria, a business may decide a change would have a negative impact on operations and profits, and therefore, not be “readily achievable.”

Example:

A convenience store determines that it would be inexpensive to remove shelves to provide access to wheelchair users throughout the store. However, this change would result in a significant loss of selling space that would have an adverse effect on its business. In this case, the removal of the shelves is not readily achievable and, thus, is not required by the ADA.