Portable Sanitation Association International

9 I PSAI Association Insight, September 15, 2021 Hand sanitizing stations are sometimes viewed as an acceptable alternative to hand washing sinks with running water. In these there is a bit more flexibility for modifications that would make the sanitizer accessible to people in wheelchairs. One operator suggested sanitizer stands with shortened support poles. He observed, however, that with the number of sinks his firm has in the field right now, getting enough of the stands "would be impossible;" and he wonders, "how would I get the customer to pay for another product – particularly one in [which] the handicapped person still cannot wash their hands?" Another operator noted the only possible immediate answer would be to either lower the height of all sanitizer stands to be ADA compliant, or to deliver a second ADA-accessible sanitizer station and place it next to the standard height station that is already there. Conclusion and Suggestions Although 31 years have passed since the ADA became law, the portable sanitation industry has had a challenging time persuading customers to adopt the required equipment and on site practices to fully comply. For a number of reasons, there has sometimes been a disincentive for operators to push these issues with customers. These are real issues, and they need to be examined by our industry. The ADA is not going away and is unlikely to have its standards relaxed. Consequently, as stated at the beginning of this article, we need a real dialogue on all of these issues. Someone somewhere may have a suggestion that can be beneficial to others. A good starting point is the provisions in the PSAI's statement on compliance with the ADA found on pages 10-11. Whether you are an operator or supplier, this statement provides suggestions and direction for how you may progress in making your part of the industry more compliant with both the law and the spirit of the ADA. It's the right thing to do. And you'll be in good company. We are all going to need to work on this together. As with anything, every challenge brings opportunity. We wish you good luck in finding and capitalizing on the prospects in your area. ADA Compliance and the Portable Sanitation Industry: Issues for Operators (continued from page 8)

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