Jeremiah is an architect who was working on a presentation to his community to share information about accessibility and outdoor dining. Where Jeremiah lives, outdoor dining is mostly a seasonal option. Jeremiah knew about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and he wanted to learn more about whether accessibility standards might differ for temporary or seasonal outdoor dining areas. Not only would this presentation be to members of his community, but there would also be members of the press in attendance. Jeremiah knew that making sure outdoor dining is accessible is crucial for people with disabilities and he wanted to make sure his presentation was accurate.

By seeking the support of his regional ADA Center, Jeremiah was able to get more information about how the ADA applied to seasonal outdoor dining areas. His ADA Center let him know that under Title III, these temporary areas need to follow the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design. The regional ADA Center explained the importance of keeping sidewalks clear and making outdoor dining spaces just as accessible as indoor dining spaces.

Jeremiah took this information and made the presentation with great success! He was able to share information about setting up accessible routes and how ramps need to be kept under a certain slope percentage for people with mobility disabilities. Several local restaurants adopted new outdoor dining policies to make sure their seasonal seating areas were welcoming and accessible to all. After his presentation, Jeremiah was approached by one of the reporters in attendance. Jeremiah gave an interview with the magazine the reporter worked for and was able to further spread knowledge about the ADA and outdoor dining. Thanks to the ADA and Jeremiah’s efforts with the help of his regional ADA Center, Jeremiah was able to make a positive change in his community.