We used these key issues to brainstorm ideas with a group of BID and SBS staff during a research pin-up and co-design session. These ideas ranged from policy recommendations to specific outreach materials that could be created. Following the session, the team developed prototypes of the top ideas, which included:

1. Website: We created a website for this project that included information and resources on accessibility compliance for new and current business owners. BID staff could also find resources for reaching out to business owners, including a model outreach plan, templates, and flyers.
2.  Outreach Model & Templates: These materials helped BID staff structure their outreach to business owners about accessibility compliance. The model outlined a concentrated three-month outreach campaign. BIDs can run the outreach campaign once a year or multiple times a year, depending on their capacity and needs.
3. Outreach Flyers: These flyers were printable PDFs which included basic tips and resources on accessibility compliance. The three outreach flyers were geared towards three groups: new business owners, existing business owners, and existing business owners facing an ADA lawsuit. 

We also delivered the following policy recommendations for the NYC BID Association to pursue, along with actionable next steps. These recommendations were ranked by their value to business owners, ease of implementation, and political feasibility:

1. Mandate Standard ADA Disclosures and Clauses in Commercial Leases: To ensure that all business and property owners are clear about their accessibility responsibilities, property owners could be required by the City to include the following information in their leases: 1) whether a certified ADA specialist has inspected the property, 2) any known accessibility violations, and 3) who is responsible for making and paying for accessibility improvements.
2. Expand SBS Compliance Advisor Program to Strengthen ADA Consultations: SBS offers free, on-site compliance consultations to help small business owners comply with key City rules and regulations, but SBS is not equipped to provide detailed assistance with ADA. MOPD’s ADA expertise can be leveraged, either by providing ADA compliance advisors or training existing SBS compliance advisors.
3. Provide Legal Support for Compliant Small Business Owners: Small business owners who are compliant with New York City’s accessibility laws can still be hit by ADA lawsuits. A citywide legal defense fund could help business owners who have complied with City rules fight predatory ADA lawsuits without taking on debilitating legal fees, and a legal center could provide resources on ADA and file lawsuits against predatory law firms.
4. Lobby for ADA Legislation that Benefits Businesses and Improves Accessibility: The BID Association can collaborate with the New York State Congressional Delegation to lobby for various bills in Congress that protect business owners from lawsuits and support their ability to make accessibility improvements to their properties.
5. Get New York City’s Building Code Certified as ADA Compliant by the Department of Justice: The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) can request certification from the DOJ that New York City’s building code and other accessibility laws meet ADA requirements. Once the City’s code is certified, compliant small business owners can submit evidence that they have complied with local requirements if they are ever sued.