1. 10 Rules for Good
Accessible Design
Presented by:
Kevin Sneed, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP
OTJ Architects

2. Accessibility Standards
and Guides
The two primary sources for accessibility information are:
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Architectural Barriers Act (ABA)
Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)
• The American National Standards Institute (ICC/ANSI A117.1)
Many people use the term "ADA Compliant" generically even if they mean
compliant to a different accessibility guide or code that applies to th i
li t t diff t ibilit id d th t li t their
specific building. ADA is a federal civil rights statute, not a building code.
Though not enforced by building code officials, failure to comply is enforced
through legal action from the Department of Justice.

3. Accessibility Guidelines
and Links
UFAS Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards
Applicable to: Certain governmental organizations
Link: http://www.access-board.gov/ufas/ufashtml/ufas.htm#4.23
ADAAG Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guide
Applicable to: Private sector facilities and state and local government facilities
Link: http://www.ada.gov/stdspdf.htm
ANSI* American Nationall Standards Institute A117.1
A i N ti St d d I tit t A117 1
Applicable to: Most state building codes
Link: http://www.access-board.gov/links/statecodes.htm
* The American National Standards Institute is a commercial standards setting
organization.
A copy of the guides can be purchased at the ICC website
(http://www.iccsafe.org)

4. Federal Organizations and
Accessibility
DOD Department of Defense
Applicable to: Department of Defense Installations
Applicable Guidelines: UFAS
USPS United States Postal Service
Applicable to: Postal Facilities
Applicable Guidelines: UFAS
Link: http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/barrieropfin2.htm
HUD Department of Housing and Urban Development
Name of Standard: Fair Housing Act Design Standard
Applicable to: Residential Structures covered by the ABA, except those
funded by the Department of Defense
Applicable Guidelines: ABA
Link: http://www.huduser.org/Publications/pdf/fairhousing/fairintro.pdf

5. Federal Organizations and
Accessibility
GSA General Service Administration
Applicable to: Buildings subject to accessibility standards but not other
standard-setting organizations
Applicable Guidelines: UFAS & ADA/ABA
Link: http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/100850
DOT Department of Transportation
Applicable to: Department of Transportation Installations
Applicable Guidelines: UFAS

6. 10 Rules for Good
Accessible Design
RULE 1:
CODE RESEARCH
Before you begin your design, make sure you are aware which code you are
required to follow based on the City/County’s jurisdiction.
City/County s
District of Columbia
City of Alexandria
Arlington County
Fairfax County
Loudoun County
y
Montgomery County
City of Gaithersburg
Prince George’s County
g y

7. 10 Rules for Good
Accessible Design
RULE 2:
HAVE A CHECKLIST
It is always smart to have a checklist so you don’t forget some part of the
puzzle.
puzzle The ADA has a checklist that you can follow for assessments and
design process.
ADA Accessibility Guidelines
http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/checklist
ADA Government Guidelines for Existing Facilities
g
http://www.ada.gov/racheck.pdf

8. 10 Rules for Good
Accessible Design
RULE 3:
HAVE TOLERANCES
When given a range, don’t use the lowest or tallest number. Give yourself
some tolerances for construction imperfections. For example, a grab bars
can be between
ICC/ANSI A117.1-2003
Fig. 604.5.1, 604.5.2 & 604.10.2
Side Wall Grab Bar for Water Closet
33” and 36”, so a 34” high grab bar is acceptable.

9. 10 Rules for Good
Accessible Design
RULE 4:
GIVE YOURSELF WIGGLE ROOM
When designing toilet rooms, keep in mind the required clearances to
include other accessories, finishes and/or elements. For example, the
minimum width of a ADA toilet is 60” however when adding the stall
60 however,
partitions thickness and wall finishes the clearances may reduce the
clearances somewhat.
ICC/ANSI A117.1 - 2003
Fig. 604.8.2 Wheelchair Access Toilet Compartments

10. 10 Rules for Good
Accessible Design
RULE 5:
CHECK CLEAR FLOOR SPACE AND DOOR SWINGS
Remember, with the exception of a room for individual use, a door shall not
swing into the clear floor space or clearance for any fixture. However, clear
floor spaces of fixtures can overlap each other.
ICC/ANSI A117.1 - 2003
Fig. 604.3 Size of Clearance for Water Closet

11. 10 Rules for Good
Accessible Design
RULE 6:
UNDERSTAND COMMON USES
Most places in a facility that are used by more than one employee at a time,
or by patrons or visitors to the facility are required to be accessible and meet
the requirement of the Guidelines. This includes employee non-work areas
like storage closets, restrooms and break rooms. The mistake I see often is
that most people believe that the ADA is only for non-employees. In reality,
common use spaces that area also accessed by employees must comply.
DEFINE WORK AREAS
Employee work areas only have the requirement to be able to be
approached, entered and exited. Everything else within the work area are
exempted. For example sinks that are in work areas are not required to have
knee clearances for wheel chairs.
Break rooms are not considered work areas (that is where you take a
B k t id d k (th t i h t k
“break” from work, therefore do require the knee clearance).

12. 10 Rules for Good
A ibl D i
Accessible Design
RULE 7:
DRINKING FOUNTAINS
Where drinking fountains are provided, no fewer than 2 drinking fountains
shall be provided. One drinking fountain shall comply with people in
wheelchair and one for standing persons Unless your occupancy load is less
persons.
than 15 or restaurant you are required to provide a drinking fountain.
2009 IBC Section 1109.5 & ICC/ANSI 602
Fig. 602.5 Drinking Fountain Spout Location

13. 10 Rules for Good
Accessible Design
RULE 8:
UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
If the scope of work is a new build-out, addition or new building the work
must comply with the International Building Code (IBC) and ICC/ANSI
standard.
Existing structures must comply with the requirements for accessibility under
chapter 34. In this chapter (3407.7), the costs of providing the accessible
route are not required to exceed 20 percent of the costs of the alterations
affecting the area of primary function.

14. 10 Rules for Good
Accessible Design
RULE 9:
KNOW THE RULES FOR AMBULATORY WATER CLOSET
Ambulatory accessible water closet compartments are required where 6 or
more water closets or urinals are provided in a toilet room. Door to the
ambulatory compartment must swing out.
2009 IBC Section 1109.5 & ICC/ANSI 604.9

15. 10 Rules for Good
Accessible Design
RULE 10:
FORWARD & SIDE APPROACHES FOR UNOBSTRUCTED REACH
Where a forward or side reach is unobstructed, the high forward or side
reach shall be 48 maximum and low forward or side reach shall be 15
48” 15”
minimum above the floor.
ICC/ANSI A117.1 – 2003 Section 308 (Forward & Side Reach)

16. 10 Rules for Good
Accessible Design
RESOURCE LIBRARY:
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
This provides the scoping and technical
p p g
requirements for new construction and alterations
resulting from the adoption of revised 2010
standards in the final rules for Title II (28 CFR part
35) and Title III ( CFR part 36)
) (28 )
ADA & ABA Handbook
Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities

17. 10 Rules for Good
Accessible Design
RESOURCE LIBRARY:
American National Standard (ICC/ANSI A117.1 – 2003)
Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
American National Standard (ICC/ANSI A117.1 – 2003)
Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
g
Standard & Commentary

18. 10 Rules for Good
Accessible Design
RESOURCE LIBRARY:
2009 International Building Code
International Code Council
The Code Guidebook for Interiors – 5th Edition
Sharon Koomen Harmon, IIDA
Katherine Kenon, AIA