Elk Grove City Council Approves New ACCESS Grant Program to Help Small Businesses Meet ADA Compliance Requirements
Eligible businesses must have fewer than 20 employees and annual revenue under $3 million
The Elk Grove City Council unanimously approved a new incentive program Wednesday night aimed at helping small businesses comply with accessibility laws and improve access for customers and employees with disabilities.
The council voted 5-0 to establish the Accessibility Compliance to Create Equitable Small Business Spaces, or ACCESS, Incentive Program, which will provide matching reimbursement grants covering up to 50 percent of eligible accessibility improvement costs, with a maximum grant of $10,000 per business or commercial space.
City staff said the program is designed to reduce financial barriers faced by small businesses trying to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements while also reducing the risk of costly litigation.
“ADA compliance for business is not optional. It’s mandatory,” Economic Development Analyst Melissa Lasher told the council during her presentation. “Businesses that are not compliant with accessibility laws can be exposed to litigation, including costly lawsuits and penalties.”
Lasher said the need for accessibility improvements is growing both locally and regionally. According to the city staff report, more than 200,000 Sacramento County residents have a disability, with about half related to mobility issues. By 2030, approximately 25 percent of county residents are expected to be age 60 or older, increasing demand for accessible commercial spaces.
The program will be funded through a state-mandated $4 fee collected during Elk Grove’s business licensing process. The fund currently contains more than $96,000 and grows by about $10,000 annually, staff said.
Under the program, eligible businesses must have fewer than 20 employees and annual revenue under $3 million. Businesses must also obtain a Certified Access Specialist, or CASP, report identifying needed accessibility improvements before qualifying for reimbursement.
Eligible improvements include ramps, handrails, widened doorways, accessible hardware, restroom upgrades and other path-of-travel modifications.
Councilman Sergio Robles noted the idea originated with a member of the city’s Disability Advisory Committee.
“Accessibility is something that everyone should pay attention to,” Robles said. “I think this puts us obviously in the right direction.”
According to staff, applications for the ACCESS grants will be accepted on a rolling basis as funding permits.
