2010 ADA Requirements for Transient and Residential Facilities
On March 15th 2012 the Department of Justice with begin requiring compliance with the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design in all new and altered Title II and Title III entities. Generally speaking, most designers welcome the new standards since they have been harmonized with the International Building Code (IBC) and the ICC/ANSI A117.1.
Both the IBC and ICC are references that many municipalities have been using for some time. Yet despite the harmonization, since the guideline’s effective date of September 15, 2010, there have been some sections that have left designers scratching their heads. Read more
When are Pools Required to Comply with the New Standards?
Under the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design newly designed or newly constructed and altered swimming pools, wading pools, aquatic recreation facilities and spas have enforceable accessibility requirements effective March 15, 2012 which include a requirement to provide at least one accessible route into these types of elements. Read more
Places of Lodging New Requirements
March 15, 2012 is not only the date the 2010 ADA Standards for new construction and alterations go into effect, it is also the date that new obligations on owners and operators of hotels, motels and other places of lodging such as timeshares and vacation communities concerning reservation policies and practices go into effect. Read more
Not All Hospitals Are Created Equal
With the compliance date for the new 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design taking effect on March 15, 2012, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken strides to ensure that the accessibility needs of people with disabilities are met at medical care facilities. When using the 1991 ADA Standards (ADAAG), architects and designers could place the required accessible rooms in an unrestrictive manner throughout any hospital facility. Read more
Housing at Places of Education
What’s New to the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design?
The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design contain new scoping and technical requirements for housing at places of education that differ from the previous 1991 ADA Standards which mention dormitories as a form of transient lodging (Section 9.1).
Both public and private school housing facilities have varied characteristics. College and university housing facilities typically provide housing for up to one academic year, but may be closed during school vacation periods. In the summer, they are often used for short-term stays of one to three days, a week, or several months. Graduate and faculty housing is often provided year-round in the form of apartments, which may serve individuals or families with children. The new standards contain provisions to address both Undergraduate and Graduate housing based on these differences.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has determined that the best approach to providing accessibility at housing at places of education is to continue to require the application of transient lodging standards, but at the same time to add several requirements drawn from the residential facilities standards related to accessible turning spaces and work surfaces in kitchens, and the accessible route throughout the unit. Read more
Ensure that Tables and Dining Surface meet all of the Accessibility Requirements
As most facility managers know, each restaurant or other food service establishment on a site must have at least 5% of the seating and standing spaces at the dining surfaces in compliance with Section 902 of the 2010 ADA Standards (5% was required in the 1991 ADA Standards as well). However, during many of Accessibility Service reviews of malls, restaurants, assembly areas, and hotels, we find tables that are not accessible to wheelchair users. Read more
