Banking and financial facilities can be sued for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) if they fail to provide access and accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Some common reasons these types of facilities are sued for ADA violations include:
- Inaccessible entrances: Banking and financial facilities must have accessible entrances for individuals with disabilities, which includes ramps, elevators, and automatic door openers.
- Inaccessible counters and teller windows: Banking and financial facilities must ensure that their counters and teller windows are accessible to individuals with disabilities, which includes accessible heights and adequate knee clearance.
- Inaccessible ATMs: Banking and financial facilities must ensure that their ATMs are accessible to individuals with disabilities, which includes speech output and tactile keypads.
- Inaccessible communication: Banking and financial facilities must provide auxiliary aids and services, such as sign language interpreters or assistive listening devices, to individuals with disabilities to ensure effective communication.
- Inaccessible websites and software: Banking and financial facilities with an online presence must have accessible websites and software for individuals with disabilities, which includes compatibility with screen readers and other assistive technology.
- Inaccessible print materials: Banking and financial facilities must provide alternative formats of print materials, such as Braille or large print, to individuals with disabilities upon request.
- Inaccessible policies and procedures: Banking and financial facilities must ensure that their policies and procedures are accessible to individuals with disabilities, which includes providing accessible versions of policy documents and training staff on accessibility requirements.
It’s important for banking and financial facilities to ensure that their facilities and services are accessible to individuals with disabilities to avoid potential lawsuits and to provide equal access and opportunities to all customers and employees.