ADA-Compliant Masks Are a Must for These Four Industries
Established in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sought to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of life, including jobs, schools, transportation, as well as every aspect of public and private life. This act also protects the approximately 1 in 20 Americans who are deaf or hard of hearing.
However, the implementation of masks as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has presented new challenges to individuals with disabilities, prompting the need for ADA-compliant masks. To combat this and improve communication, SmileMask has created an ADA-compliant mask.
Clear face masks help in a variety of ways, from restoring visual cues to enabling deaf individuals to read lips. Plus, human connection is crucial for our mental and emotional health, and facial expressions play a significant role in that.
Whether you opt for the non-fogging sports mask or single use mask, SmileMask allows you to see the face of the person you’re speaking with. An array of industries would benefit from making SmileMask’s ADA-compliant masks the standard, ranging from health care to educational institutions. Read on to learn about some of the top industries in need of ADA-compliant masks, and why this is important.
Childcare Facilities
According to the U.S. Centers for Health and Disease Control, the early years of a child’s life are critical to their health and development. For young children, being able to interact with others is an important component of building social skills. The ability to see someone’s face through SmileMask’s ADA-complaint masks enables children to pick up on more social cues, and helps to prevent feelings of isolation. A clear mask will ensure that babies and toddlers are able to learn without missing a beat.
Food Service Facilities
Undoubtedly, the food service industry has been one of the hardest-hit sectors amid the global pandemic. With restaurants cautiously re-opening, face masks are becoming a standard part of the uniform. The food industry is navigating toward clear face masks for numerous reasons, including economic, hygienic and other practical reasons. It’s essential to have fluid communication while working with customers, and SmileMask’s clear masks will provide the foundation in earning trust and establishing rapport.
Airlines
Airlines across the United States have started requiring the use of face masks. This mandate encompasses everyone from staff working at the gates and ticket counters, to flight attendants, to travelers. As such, the need for clear face masks has become a heightened priority for airlines. It’s no question that SmileMask’s ADA-compliant masks are a game changer, enabling flight attendants to easily greet guests and effectively communicate with hard of hearing customers. SmileMask’s can help bring out your smile, without sacrificing your safety or the safety of your guests.
Educational Institutions
Wearing masks in schools has become the standard in the majority of schools and universities across the United States. While this helps to ensure the safety of both students and teachers, it can also present challenges for students with disabilities. Albert Mehrabian, a renowned researcher of body language, found that 90% of communication is nonverbal. This is where SmileMask’s ADA-compliant masks come into play. Not only do clear masks enable students to pick up on their teacher or professor’s nonverbal cues, but ADA-compliant masks will be beneficial to students with disabilities, students who are learning to read, and students learning a new language. From story time in pre-school to college lectures, the use of clear masks help improve communication.
Anna Bell is a writer who lives in Los Angeles.
Sources
ADA National Network - https://adata.org/learn-about-ada
Oxford Academic - https://academic.oup.com/jdsde/article/11/1/112/410800
Jama Network - https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2777511
CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/facts.html
The University of Texas Permian Basin - https://online.utpb.edu/about-us/articles/communication/how-much-of-communication-is-nonverbal/