SAN FRANCISCO— On Tuesday, November 27, Mayor Edwin M. Lee announced a statement about a new program called Americans with Disabilities Act Small Business Assessment Program.

“This new ADA Business Assessment Program takes a proactive approach to improving ADA compliance for our San Francisco small businesses and provide accessibility for everyone. This program is another example of the focused, customized assistance that my Invest in Neighborhoods Initiative provides to help small businesses succeed,” said Mayor Lee.

This program will provide small businesses with Americans with Disabilities Act assessment report, plan for compliance, and access to new grant funding, and loan programs for businesses to make upgrades. The goals of the program are educating small businesses about identify and prioritize ADA improvements. This pilot will start in District Four. Small businesses owners can fill out a two-page assessment application form. On a first come, first serve basis, OEWD will review applications on a rolling basis and award eligible business owners.


A lack of understanding of ADA requirements and misconceptions about the law are a concern from small businesses. The education from this program will try to empower small businesses to prepare their stores. AND Executive Director Steve Suzuki said, “Asian Neighborhood Design is excited to team up with the Office of Economic Workforce Development and the Office of Small Business to help educate businesses on the importance of disabled access.”By: Jessica Claflin