What types of places can be nominated?
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), businesses and organizations that serve the public must allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals into all areas of the facility where customers are normally allowed to go. This federal law applies to all businesses open to the public, including restaurants, hotels, taxis and shuttles, grocery and department stores, hospitals and medical offices, theaters, health clubs, parks, and zoos. The Red Vest Accessible program recognizes those businesses who understand and follow these ADA guidelines.
What makes a place Red Vest Accessible?
People will look for different features depending on their disability. While the main focus of Red Vest Accessible is on Service Dogs and their handlers, suggested criteria to look at when considering whether to nominate a business or location goes beyond Service Dogs. Please use the suggestion box on this page if you have other criteria that should be included in this list.
Service Dog Accessibility
- Understands Service Dog access laws
- Welcoming to Service Dog teams
Public Transportation Accessibility
- Accessible parking near station entrances and bus shelters
- Barrier free walkways, shelters and stations
- Subways and trains have: Wide fare gates; Priority seating; Gap reducers between car and platform
- Buses have: Low floor ramps or lifts; Wheelchair securement areas; Priority seating
Parking Accessibility
- Adequate number of accessible parking spaces (if parking is provided)
- At least one van accessible space
Ride Sharing and Private Transportation Accessibility
- Vehicle suitable for wheelchairs
- Driver understands Service Dog access
Knowledgeable Staff
- Evidence of disability awareness staff training
- Welcoming to all customers
- Evidence of disability awareness staff training
Building Accessibility
- Level entrance access or ramped/sloped access
- Automatic doors Doors are wide enough for all customers
- Doors are easy to open for all customers (i.e., buttons available)
- Elevator available and working if not first floor
- Ramps available
- Corridors are wide and unobstructed
- Accessible restrooms, including Wall-mounted grab rails, Wide doors (entrance of restroom and individual stalls) Accessible accommodation, including Step-free access,
- Accessible en-suite shower or bathroom, and Door wide enough for all customers