The document discusses accessibility laws and guidelines for buildings and facilities. It covers the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination. The ADA has four titles covering employment, state and local governments, public accommodations, and telecommunications. It also discusses the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) which provide scoping and technical requirements for accessibility. The presentation outlines priorities for accessibility in buildings, exemptions, and levels of compliance required for new construction, alterations, and existing buildings. It concludes by listing resources for the Texas Accessibility Standards and 2010 ADA Standards.

1. Accessibility
Presented by
Anthony Floyd, AIA, LEED AP
Contact Anthony online at http://anthony.designarts.net
www.designarts.net | 1.800.264.9605 | info@designarts.net
Continuing Education for Design Professionals Since 1992

2.  Americans with Disability Act (ADA)
 Enacted in 1990 and became enforceable in 1992
 Civil rights law that protects individuals with
disabilities in the following areas:
 Title I – Employment
 Title II – State and local governments and public
transportation
 Title III - Public Accommodations and Commercial
Facilities
 Title IV – Telecommunication services
 Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of
Transportation (DOT)
Accessibility Requirements

3.  Facility that provides services and goods to
the public
 also apply to policies and procedures that affect the
ability of a disabled individual to use services
 in addition to dining tables being accessible in a
restaurant, servers are required to read a menu to person
who has a sight disability
Place of Public Accommodation

4.  Any facility that is owned, leased, leased
to, or operated by a private entity whose
operation affects commerce
Place of Public Accommodation
 Place of lodging
 Establishment serving
food
 Place of exhibition or
entertainment
 Sale establishment
 Service establishment
 Station for public
transportation
 Place of public display
 Educational facility
 Recreation area
 Place of exercise
 Social service center

5.  Operations that affect commerce but are
not generally open to the public
 must be compliant with the ADA for use by
employees
 Applies to:
 Factories
 Warehouses
 Telemarketing office
Commercial Facilities

6. 1. Getting to and into the building
 Parking, accessible routes, ramps, walkways,
doors, signs, etc.
2. Accessing goods and services
 Counters, brochure racks, recreation areas offices,
library books & materials, computers, etc.
3. Accessible restrooms
 Stalls and toilets rooms, showers, etc.
4. All other
 Drinking fountains, telephones, etc.
Priorities for Accessibility

7.  Exemptions
 Facilities owned and operated by religious entities
 unless part of the facility is used as a place of public
accommodation
 One- and two-family dwellings
 unless used for business in which clients visit, then that
part of the residence must meet ADA
 Private clubs
 Certain government facilities
Accessibility Exemptions

8.  Fair Housing Act (FHA)
 Originally established in 1968 to regulate fair
housing and protects the consumer from
discrimination in housing when buying or renting
 Expanded in 1988 to include persons with
disabilities
 pertains to residential housing that has four or more
dwelling units, such as apartments and condos
 location of thermostats, electrical outlets, light switches,
and accessibility in hallways, bathrooms and kitchens
Accessibility Requirements

9.  Scoping requirements
 Number of accessible toilets, water fountains, doors,
etc.
 Technical requirements
 Specific requirements and dimensions that have to
be met for the door, sink, millwork, etc.
 Communications including visible alarm systems and
signage
ADA Accessibility Guidelines
(ADAAG)

10.  New Construction
 All aspects of the building design must comply
 Includes new tenant spaces within an existing
building
 Alterations
 Changes made to an area must comply to ADA
requirements unless such improvements are cost
prohibitive
 exceeds 20% of the cost of the overall alterations over a
3-year period
Levels of Compliance

11.  Existing Buildings
 Owners are expected to have facilities evaluated to
remove architectural barriers
 legal suits can be brought against the owner of a facility
 Law requires that an attempt to meet the ADA
guidelines be made “to the maximum extent feasible”
 exemption when determined it is not “readily achievable”
and considered an “undue burden”
Levels of Compliance

12. www.license.state.tx.us/ab/2012TAS/2012tascomplete.pdf

13. www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm
Texas Accessibility Standards
 General
 TAS intended to be
consistent with the 2010
Standards of Accessible
Design except where
noted in italics
 Must comply with
regulations issued by
federal agencies, US DOJ
and US DOT under the
ADA

14. Texas Accessibility Standards
 International Building Code references
 Means of egress, number of exits, areas of refuge,
fired-rated spaces
 Defined Terms
 Accessible means of egress
 Path of travel
 Safe harbor
 Structural impracticability
 Technical infeasibility

15.  Scoping Requirements
 Existing building and facilities
 General exceptions
 Accessible routes
 Accessible means of egress
 Kitchens, kitchenettes and sinks
 Toilet and bathing facilities
 Dressing, fitting and locker rooms
 Dining and work surfaces
 Windows
 Residential Facilities
Texas Accessibility Standards

16.  Technical Requirements
 Building Blocks
 Accessible Routes
 General Site and Building Elements
 Plumbing Elements and Facilities
 Communication Elements and Features
 Special Rooms, Spaces and Elements
 Built-In Elements
 Recreation Facilities
Texas Accessibility Standards

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www.designarts.net | 1.800.264.9605 | info@designarts.net
Continuing Education for Design Professionals Since 1992