girl in wheelchair with dog

Accessibility for Paoli Vetcare’s Building and ADA-Compliant Reasonable Modifications

Paoli Vetcare is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and applying the relevant accessibility standards.

Statement Regarding Client Access to Services

We have completed a comprehensive review of our facility’s physical structure and evaluated what modifications are readily achievable under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Due to significant structural limitations, our facility cannot be made fully wheelchair accessible without renovations that are not readily achievable. In accordance with Title III of the ADA, we are committed to providing equivalent access to services through alternative accommodations.

How Alternative Veterinary Services are Offered

To ensure access to veterinary services for clients with disabilities, we offer the following alternatives:

1. Curbside Service

Clients may remain in their vehicles while staff retrieve the patient and communicate via phone or in-person outdoors. This option is widely used and appropriate for most routine appointments, medication pickups, and patient discharges.

2. Home Visits

Home visits may be offered at the sole discretion of the attending veterinarian, depending on:

- Medical appropriateness of the case
- Availability of staff and equipment
- Safety, logistics, and time constraints

Not all veterinary services are suitable for home care. Procedures that require sterile technique, controlled medications, sedation, or surgical intervention cannot be performed outside the clinic.

3. Telemedicine

When medically appropriate, and in compliance with state veterinary regulations, virtual consultations may be offered. These are limited to conditions where a physical examination is not required to establish a diagnosis or treatment plan.

Paoli Vetcare Facility Limitations

The entryway step has a vertical rise that would require a 13- to 15-foot ramp to meet ADA slope requirements (1:12), which is not feasible given the layout of the property.
The front door threshold height exceeds ADA limits and correcting it would require replacement of the entire frame and door assembly, which is not readily achievable.
Restroom facilities cannot be made ADA-compliant without extensive structural renovation beyond the scope of what is considered readily achievable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – For Staff and Clients

Question: Why isn’t there a wheelchair ramp at the front entrance?

Answer: Our building’s design does not allow for the installation of a ramp that meets ADA slope and landing requirements. We have explored this option and determined that it is not feasible without significant structural alterations, which are not readily achievable.

Question: Is the practice exempt from ADA requirements because the building is old?

Answer: No. There is no “grandfather” exemption under the ADA. However, the law recognizes that full compliance may not be achievable in older buildings and allows alternative methods of providing access if permanent structural changes are not feasible.

Question: Can’t someone just lift a wheelchair over the step?

Answer: No. Lifting a wheelchair over a step is unsafe, not ADA-compliant, and may result in injury to the client or staff. We are prohibited from relying on unsafe practices to overcome physical barriers.

Question: How do clients request curbside service or another accommodation?

Answer: Clients are encouraged to call in advance to speak with the Practice Manager or veterinarian. Signage is also posted at the entrance and/or on the homepage of Paoli Vetcare’s website with instructions for requesting assistance.

Question: Can I guarantee a home visit for a client who asks for one?

Answer: No. Only the attending veterinarian can authorize a home visit, based on medical necessity, staffing, equipment, and logistical constraints. Never promise a home visit to a client without prior approval.

Question: What should I do if a client is upset that they can’t enter the building?

Answer: Be empathetic and explain that while we regret the limitations of our building, we are committed to providing alternative access. Offer curbside service immediately and escalate to the Practice Manager or veterinarian as needed.

Assessment Approach

Paoli Vetcare assessed the accessibility of Paoli Vetcare’s facility by self-evaluation.

Accessibility Statement for Paoli Vetcare’s Website

Paoli Vetcare is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We are continuously working to improve the user experience for all visitors and to apply relevant accessibility standards to our website and digital services.

Accessibility Measures

To support digital accessibility, Paoli Vetcare has implemented the following measures:

Integrated accessibility into our organizational mission.
Included accessibility principles in internal policies and staff training.
Designated responsibility for accessibility oversight.
Established specific goals for digital accessibility and ongoing improvements.
Incorporated accessibility planning into all renovation and construction projects to ensure our facility is physically accessible to clients with disabilities.
Installed the UserWay Accessibility Widget, supported by a dedicated accessibility server, to enhance compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1.

Conformance Status

Paoli Vetcare’s website is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the content may not yet fully meet the accessibility standard.

Additional accessibility considerations

Approximately 13% of the U.S. population lives with a disability, and that number is growing. We believe every person should be able to access veterinary care for their pets without encountering barriers—digital or physical. If you have specific accessibility needs, we invite you to reach out to Chelsie Reeves, Practice Manager, at the contact details given below. We are happy to accommodate your preferences in communication and offer accommodations to clients with disabilities.

Feedback

We welcome your feedback regarding the accessibility of our website. If you experience any accessibility barriers, please contact us directly:

Phone: 610-644-5360
E-mail: info@paolivet.com
Visitor address: 1476 E Lancaster Ave
Postal address: Paoli, 19301
We aim to respond to all inquiries within 24 hours, during regular operating hours.

Browser and Assistive Technology Compatibility

Our website is designed to work with modern browsers and assistive technologies. The UserWay Accessibility Widget is compatible with:

Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
Apple Safari
Microsoft Edge

If you encounter issues, please contact support@userway.org and include relevant screenshots, your browser version, operating system, and device type.

Known Incompatibilities: None currently known.

Technical specifications

The accessibility of Paoli Vetcare’s website relies on the following technologies:

HTML
CSS
JavaScript

These technologies ensure compatibility with assistive tools and conformance with accessibility standards.

Limitations and alternatives

Despite our efforts to make all content fully accessible, there may be some limitations. Notably:

Images may lack descriptive alt text. Some images were uploaded before implementing accessibility protocols. We are actively working with our web developer to add descriptive alternative text to all images.

Need help with a specific issue?
Contact Chelsie Reeves, Practice Manager directly, and we will ensure your needs are met promptly and respectfully.

Accessibility Evaluation

The accessibility of this website has been assessed using the following approach:

Self-evaluation conducted by Paoli Vetcare’s leadership in coordination with web development professionals.
Updated 4/2025

Pet dog in walker