The Americans with Disabilities Act's standards for accessible design require that all public restrooms are accessible, states the Illinois ADA Project, which means that at least one stall in every public restroom must fully comply with ADA guidelines. As of 2015, when the restroom has six or more stalls, at least one stall must be fully compliant and one must be at least 3-feet wide. However, this requirement only applies to newly constructed and newly renovated businesses.
The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to all entities that serve the public, including commercial establishments, such as theaters, restaurants, stores, schools and public parks, according to the Illinois ADA Project. However, the Act limits the extent to which existing businesses must comply with the law. For example, an existing business must make physical improvements to the premises only if doing so does not cause undue difficulty or expense.
Additionally, compliance with the ADA guidelines is an ongoing obligation, which begins with providing access to the building from public sidewalks, parking structures and public transportation, as the Illinois ADA Project explains. After completing those modifications, the business must provide access to the areas where it sells goods and services, such as the inside of a restaurant or store. The construction of features such as accessible toilets is the last priority as defined by the ADA.