1. 1
1
 Based on (ADA). American with Disability
Act.
 Your community resource.
 It is a law of rules and regulations to help
the needy help themselves.
 It is based on the fundamentals of equality.
 Your participation is greatly appreciated.
Welcome to Fundamentals of
Accessibility Module
2
Progressive Development
“ The grandest of all laws is the law of
progressive development : under it, in the
wide sweep of things, men grow wiser as
they grow older, and societies better. “
Bovee
3
 The Americans with disabilities act was
signed into law by the Federal government
in 1990. It required accessibility
accommodations under ANSI (American
National Standards Institute) guidelines.
 In 1993, Florida adopted the Florida
Americans with Disability Implementation
act, which in 1997 was amended to provide
for the Florida Accessibility Code which was
intended to improve consistency between
the two laws.
 In Jan. 2002, The Florida Building Code
establishes as part of the building code the
Florida Accessibility Code (Chapter 11 part
A) and the Fair Housing Standards Act
(Chapter 11 part B).
What Is the Accessibility Code ?
4
 The code is administered by the Department of
Community Affairs through the Florida Building
Commission.
 Enforcement is to be undertaken by local
governments, code enforcement agencies, and,
in some applications ( i.e. transportation and
communication ) the Federal Government.
 Modifications and waivers may be applied for
and granted by the Florida Board of Building
Codes and Standards, but only upon
determination that such a waiver would not
violate Federal Accessibility Laws (ADA) and will
be reviewed by the Permanent Disability
Accessibility Advisory Council.
Administration
5
Objectives
• Upon completion, participants will be able
to:
• Identify sections of Chapter 11- Of the code
- pertaining to Special Occupancy.
• Identify Accessibility Code Definitions.
• Identify accessible elements and spaces.
• Identify requirements for deferent
occupancies.
6
Disability
• Disability. Disability means, with respect to an
individual, a physical or mental impairment that
substantially limits one or more of the major life
activities of such individual; a record of such an
impairment; or being regarded as having such an
impairment.

2. 2
7
Disability Cont.
(1) The phrase physical or mental impairment
means:
• (a) Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic
disfigurement,or an atomical loss affecting one or
more of the following body systems; neurological;
musculoskeletal;special sense organs;respiratory,
including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive;
digestive; genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin;
and endocrine;
• (b) Any mental or psychological disorder such as
mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional
or mental illness,and specific learning disabilities; 8
Disability Cont.
• (c) The phrase physical or mental impairmentincludes,
but is not limited to, such contagious and
noncontagious diseases and conditions as orthopedic,
visual, speech, and hearing impairments,cerebral
palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis,
cancer, heart disease,diabetes,mental retardation,
emotional illness,specific learning disabilities, HIV
disease (whether symptomatic or asymptomatic),
tuberculosis, drug addiction, and alcoholism;
• (d) The phrase physical or mental impairmentdoes not
include homosexuality or bisexuality.(???? It is a
chosen way of life, hence, does not qualify).
9
Disability Cont.
– (2) The phrase major life activitiesmeansfunctionssuch as caring for
one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking,
breathing, learning, and working.
– (3) The phrase has a record of such an impairment meanshasa history
of, or has been misclassified as having, a mental or physical impairment
that substantially limitsone or more major life activities.
– (4) The phrase is regarded as having an impairment means:
• (a) Has a physical or mental impairmentthat doesnot substantially
limit major life activitiesbut that istreated by a private entity as
constituting such a limitation;
• (b) Has a physical or mental impairmentthat substantially limitsmajor
life activitiesonly as a result of the attitudes of others toward such
impairment; or
• (c) Has not of the impairmentsdefined in paragraph(1) of this
definition but istreated by a private entity as having such an
impairment.
10
Disability Cont.
– (5) The term disability does not include:
• (a) Transvestism,transsexualism,pedophilia,
exhibitionism,voyeurism, gender identity disorders not
resulting from physical impairments, or other sexual
behavior disorders;
• (b) Compulsive gambling,kleptomania,or pyromania; or
• (c) Psychoactive substance use disorders resulting from
current illegal use of drugs.
11
U.S. Department of Commerce,
1994.
 Number of persons with some disability:
54 million (20.6%).
 Number of persons with severe disability:
26 million (9.9%).
Of these numbers:
 1.6 million were blind.
 1 million were deaf.
 8.8 million had vision problems.
 10.1 million had hearing problems.
 1.8 million use wheelchairs.
12
ADA Enforcement
 It must be the responsibility of each local
government and each code enforcement
agency to enforce the provisions of this Act.
 This act expressly preempts the
establishment of accessibility standards to
the state and supersedes any county or
municipal ordinance on the subject.
 However, nothing in this section must
prohibit municipalities and counties from
enforcing the provisions of this act.

3. 3
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Civil Rights Law
 Federal Civil Rights Law Prohibits
Discrimination on the bases of disability in:
 Employment.
 State and Local government services.
 Transportation.
 Public accommodation.
 The Federal Government has made
accessibility a Right, not a Privilege.
14
15
Correlation of State & Federal Laws:
Similarities and Differences.
ADA
 Title II & III enforced by the U.S.
Department of Justice.
Chapter 11 FBC
 Enforced by local building code
enforcement agencies (FS 553 Part V).
16
Correlation of State & Federal Laws:
Similarities and Differences.
ADA
 Complaint driven.
 Applies to almost all new and existing
buildings including State & Local
Governments.
Chapter 11 FBC
 FAC applies to all new buildings subject
to the code.
17
Correlation of State & Federal Laws:
Similarities and Differences.
ADA
 Exempts churches and private clubs.
Chapter 11 FBC
 FAC does not exempt private clubs.
 FAC exempts church sanctuary areas.
 Local AHJ designates definition of
sanctuary.
18
Correlation of State & Federal Laws:
Similarities and Differences.
Chapter 11 FBC
 Equal to or more stringent than the
FederalADA requirements.
 Identified in the FAC with shaded text
boxes, all other text is ADAAG.
 FAC is not a “Retrofit Code”.

4. 4
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Graphic Conventions
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Key Definitions
Accessible Route: A continuous
unobstructed path connecting all
accessible elements and spaces of a
building or facility.[11-4.3.2]
Interior accessible routes: may include
corridors, floors, ramps, elevators, lifts,
and clear floor space at fixtures.
Exterior accessible routes: may include
parking access aisles, curb ramps,
crosswalks and vehicular ways, walks,
ramps and lifts.
21
Exterior Accessible Route
At least One
Accessible Route
must connect
accessible
buildings,
f acilities,
elements, and
spaces that are
on the same site.
[11.4.3.2]
22
All Routes leads to!
23
Exterior Accessible Route
24
The Other Connecting Sidewalks

5. 5
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Exterior Accessible Routes
26
Parking Spaces
 Accessible parking spaces serving a
particular building must be located on the
shortest safely accessible route of travel
from adjacent parking to an accessible
entrance. [11-4.6.3]
 All spaces must be located on an accessible
route no less than 44 inches wide so users
will not be compelled to walk or wheel
behind parking vehicles.
27
 Minimum width of
accessible route 36”
except at doors.
 Curb egress ramps
minimum 44”.
 Accessible ramp with
a slope greater than
1:20 is a ramp.
 (see 11.4.8)
 Parking spaces:
 Shortest safe, 44”
accessible route.
 5’ wide parking isles
(96” for vans)
 Parallel spaces even with
surface slopes.
 Min. 114” vertical
clearance.
 Blue paint, Sign.
Parking and an accessible
route 11-4.1 - 3
28
Parking space design
[11-12]
29
Parking space design
Parking spaces [11-
4.6.3]
 Parking access aisles
must be no less than 5
feet wide and must be
part of an accessible
route to the building or
facility entrance.
 Two accessible
spaces may share a
common access aisle.
 The access aisle
must be striped
diagonally to designate
it as a no-parking zone.
30
Minimum Required number of
accessible parking spaces
Total Parking in Lot Required
Minimum Number of Accessible
Spaces
1 to 25 .................... 1
26 to 50 .................... 2
51 to 75 .................... 3
76 to 100 ................... 4
101 to 150 ................... 5
151 to 200 ................... 6
201 to 300 ................... 7
301 to 400 ................... 8
401 to 500 ................... 9
501 to 1000 ................. 2% of total
1001 and over ..............20 plus1
for each 100 over 1000
 Facilities prov iding medical care and
other serv ices f or persons with mobility
impairment: 10% of the total number of
parking spaces shall be accessible.
 Facilities that specialize in treatment
or serv ice f or person with mobility
impairment: 20% of the total number of
parking spaces serv ing each such unit or
f acility.

6. 6
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U.S.A. PARKING SPACES ?
32
Is this O.K. ?
33
What do you Think ?
34
HC PARKING & ACCESS ISLE
35
No access isles
36

7. 7
37
Ramps (11-4.8)
 Accessible ramp with a
slope greater than 1:20
is a ramp.
 Max. slope 1:12.
 Max. rise for any run 30”.
 Exceptions if space
limitations on existing
buildings(see 11-4.1.6a)
 36” clear width.
 44” if egress.
 Landings on ramps 60”
clear, bottoms 72” if
ramp changes direction
at landing, 60” x 60” min.
 Handrails required if
ramp run has a rise
greater than 6” or
horizontal projection
greater than 72” on
both sides but not on
curb ramps or adjacent
to seating in assembly
areas. Clear space to
wall 1 ½ “.
38
Curb Ramps
Curb Ramps [11-4.7]
 Curb ramps must be provided wherever an
accessible route crosses a curb.
 Curb ramps must be located outside of
disabled parking spaces and access aisles .
39
Curb Ramps
40
Curb Ramps
41
Curb Ramps at Crossings
42
Usable Ramps ????

8. 8
43
More Usable Ramps ????
44
Ramp Construction
45
Ramp Hand Rails/Guard Rail
46
Is this O.K. ?
47
What about this ?
48
Key Definitions
Alteration:
 …a change to a building or facility…that
affects or could affect the usability of the
building or facility….
 Alterations include, but are not limited to,
remodeling, renovation, rehabilitation,
reconstruction, historic restoration, changes
or rearrangement of the structural parts or
elements.

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In an existing property, a differentiation
would be made between an addition and
an alteration. In both cases the law would
apply, but with an alteration, there are
limitations (2).
25% of Remodeling Cost.
 Technically Infeasible.
Note: Alteration - limitations
50
Key Definition
Adaptability:
The ability of certain building spaces and
elements, such as kitchen counters,
restrooms sinks, and grab bars to be
added or altered so as to accommodate
the needs of individuals with or without
disabilities or to accommodate the needs
of persons with different types or degrees
of disability.
51
Key Definition
Readily Achievable:
The ability of certain building spaces and
elements, such as kitchen counters,
sinks, and grab bars to be added or
altered so as to accommodate the needs
of individuals with or without disabilities or
to accommodate the needs of persons
with different types or degrees of
disability. Easily accomplishable and able
to be carried out without much difficulty or
expense (cheap and easy).
52
Is This Readily Achievable ?
Notice the
steps, door
size, and
other
obstacles.
53
Readily Achievable or Adaptable
What are These ?
Towel hangers ?
Sanitation ?
54
Key Definition
Clear Floor Space:
 The minimum unobstructed floor or
ground space required to accommodate a
single, stationary wheelchair and
occupant.
Area of Rescue Assistance:
 An area, which has direct access to an
exit, where people who are unable to use
stairs may remain temporarily in safety…

10. 10
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Clear Floor Space
56
Clear Floor Space Cont.
57
Key Definition
COMMON USE:
 Those interior and exterior rooms,
spaces, or elements that are made
available for the use of a restricted group
of people.
“Retrofit Code”:
 Means if an individual is not doing work
that requires a permit, the FAC cannot be
enforced.
58
Key Definition : Egress, Means of
 A continuous and unobstructed way of
exit travel from any point in a building or
facility to a public way. A means of egress
comprises vertical and horizontal travel
and may include intervening room
spaces, doorways, hallways, corridors,
passageways, balconies, ramps, stairs,
enclosures, lobbies, horizontal exits,
courts and yards.
 An accessible means of egress is one
that complies with this code and does not
include stairs, steps or escalators. Areas
of rescue assistance or evacuation
elevators may be included as a part of
accessible means of egress.
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Minimum Requirements
 As a general rule
of thumb, the law
places a priority on
accessible routes,
egress, and
accessible facilities.
 As a practical issue
this means :
 Easy access to and
from the building.
 Accessible access
once inside the
building.
 Bathrooms that can
accommodate a
wheelchair.
 Common areas that
can accommodate all. 60
Walking Surfaces
 Walking surfaces - ANSI A117.1 1986
 textures such as exposed concrete,
raised strips, grooves, figure 40(a) &
(b).

11. 11
61
Walking Surfaces Cont.
62
Question:
 Does an Accessible Route have to be
an egress route ?
 Does an Egress route have to be an
accessible route ?
63
Answer:
 Does an Accessible Route have to be
an egress route ? NO
 Does an Egress route have to be an
accessible route ? YES
64
 Entrances required to be accessible by 11-
4.12 shall be part of an accessible route
…shall be connected by an accessible
route to public transportation stops, to
accessible parking, to public streets or
sidewalks.
Entrances
65
 At least 50% of all public entrances must
be accessible.
 All doors part of an accessible route
must be accessible.
 All doors required by egress must be
accessible.
 Accessible entrance must be provided to
each tenancy in a facility.
Minimum Entrance Requirements
66
Doors 11-4.13
 Turnstiles not used
in occupancies
under 100 persons.
 If doorways have
two independently
operated door
leaves, then at least
one leaf shall meet
11-4.13.5 – 6.
 Doorways min.
clear opening 32”.
 Minimum space
between two doors
is 48” plus swing.
 Thresholds not
exceed 3/4” exterior
sliding glass door;
1/2” all other.

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Door Hardware 11-4.13.9
 Easy to grasp
shape one hand
operation.
 Max. 48” high.
 If closer, sweep
period 3 seconds.
 Door opening force
8.5 lbf.
 Fire doors, per
administrative
authority.
 Exterior hinged
doors 8.5 lbf.
 Interior hinged
doors 5 lbf.
 Sliding/folding 5 lbf
 Automatic doors -
comply
ANSI/BHMA
A156.10-1985.
68
Doors
69
Doors Cont.
70
Doors Cont.
71
Stairs (11-4.9)
 Uniform treads and
risers, 11” min. width
riser to riser.
 Underside of nosing
not abrupt, curvature
at leading edge no
greater than ½”,
Risers sloped or
underside of nosing
min. 60 degree angle
from horizontal.
Nosing project no
more than 1 ½ “.
 Handrails
 Continuous along
both sides of stairs; if
not, must extend 12”
min. beyond top riser
and at least 12” and
width of one tread
beyond bottom riser.
Uninterrupted
gripping surfaces;
Top handrail
between 34” – 44”;
rounded or returned
smoothly to floor.
72
Stairs (11-4.9) Cont.

13. 13
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Handrails / Grab bars
74
How about this ?
75 76
77
Elevators 11-4.10
 Must be on
accessible route.
 Freight elevators
only if only elevator.
 Floor to landing ½”.
 Call buttons.
centered at 42”.
 All must have raised
and Braille floor
designations on
both jambs. 60”
Centerline.
 Minimum delay time 3
seconds.
 5 footcandles min.
illumination.
 Control buttons ¾” at
smallest dimension.
 All control buttons,
see figure 23a, ¾”
minimum, raised or
flush.
78
Elevator Dimension

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79
Elevator
Entrance
80
Car Control
81
This elevator is too narrow
82
What else is wrong ?
83
Whaaaat???
Freedom
84
Vertical Accessibility
 Vertical accessibility still required, whether
elevator required or not.
 This is a Florida Specific Requirement.

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85
Toilet Rooms / stalls [11-4-17]
 Clear floor space of fixtures and controls,
the accessible route and the turning space
may overlap.
 If toilet stalls provided, at least one shall be
standard per 11-4.17.
 If more than 6 at least one stall complies
with Figure 30(d) outward swinging self
closing door and parallel grab bars.
86
Toilet Rooms / stalls [11-4-17]
 Accessible & on accessible route.
 Doors shall not swing into clear floor
space.
87
Water closet
 Water closet
clear floor
space and grab
bars.
88
Toilet Stalls
89
Toilets in new
Construction
 Note: that the lav does
not encroach into the clear
Floor space of the water
closet.
 The water closet shall
be located in the corner
Diagonal to the door.
90
Lavatories

16. 16
91
Is this enough ?
92
What about this door ?
93
Restrooms
94
Restrooms
95
Water
Fountains
96
Hallways and Corridors
 11-4.1.3 At least one accessible route …
shall connect accessible building or facility
entrances with all accessible spaces and
elements within the building or facility.

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97
Protruding
Objects
&
Gratings
 If gratings are located in
walking surfaces, then they
must have spaces no
greater than 1/2” inch wide
in one direction.
 If gratings have elongated
openings, then they must be
placed so that the long
dimension isperpendicular
to the dominant directionof
travel.
98
What do you think ?
99
Visual 11-4
 At minimum, visual signal appliances
provided in each of:
 Restrooms.
 General usage areas.
 Meeting rooms.
 Hallways.
 Lobbies.
 Any other common use.
100
 Audible, if provided,
under 120, at least
5 dba louder than
prevailing level in
room or space; for
60 seconds.
 Visual alarm signal
integrated into
building alarm
system.
 If single station
audible alarms are
provided, than
single station visual
signals shall be
provided.
101
FAC Content Areas
The Code is Broken Down into Four Controlling
Areas.
1. General Information:
Instructions and Definitions.
2. Scoping:
Provisions for new construction and
Alterations of sites and buildings that
define which and how many elements are
required to be accessible.
102
FAC Content Areas
The Code is Broken Down into Four Controlling
Areas.
3. Technical Specifications for Accessible
Elements:
Specifies minimum width of a door opening,
minimum length of grab bars, minimum ramp
slope, isle width, counter height, etc.

18. 18
103
FAC Content Areas
The Code is Broken Down into Four Controlling
Areas.
4. Special occupancy Sections:
Applies additional scoping and technical
provisions to certain facility types.
 Special occupancy include restaurants,
medical care facilities, business and
mercantile, libraries, hotels and motels, and
transportation facilities such as bus stop
pads and airports.
104
Places of Public Accommodation
Place of Public Accommodation means a facility,
operated by a private entity, who’s operation
affect commerce and fall within at least one
of 12 Categories, including:
105
1. Places of lodging
 An inn, Hotel, Motel, or other place of
lodging, except for an establishment
located within a building that contains
not more than five rooms for rent or hire
and that is actually occupied by the
people of the establishment as the
residence of the proprietor.
 Resort condominium are considered to
be lodging establishments pursuant to
(F.S. 509.242).
106
2. Establishments Serving Food
and Drinks.[11-5]
A restaurant, bar, cafeteria, or other
establishments serving food or drink.
 5% of tables must be accessible and
distributed between smoking and non-
smoking.
 Counters or bars higher than 34 inches
must have 60 inches at accessible
height.
 Accessible route to accessible areas.
 Food service line must be accessible
within the same area.
107
2. Establishments Serving Food
and Drinks.[11-5] Cont.
 Counters and Bars [11-5.2]
Food or drink that is served at counters
exceeding 34 inches (865 mm) in height for
consumption by customers seated on stools
or standing at the counter, a portion of the
main counter, which is 60 inches (1525
mm) in length minimum must be provided in
compliance with §11-4.32 or service must
be available at accessible tables within the
same area.
108
2. Establishments serving food
and drinks[11-5] Cont.
 Access Aisles [11-5.3]
All accessible fixed tables must be accessible By
means of an access aisle at least 36 inches
(915 mm) clear between parallel edges of tables or
between a wall and the table edges.
 Dining Areas [11-5.4 ]
In new construction, all dining areas, including
raised or sunken dining areas, loggias, and
outdoor seating areas, must be accessible.

19. 19
109
2. Establishments serving food
and drinks[11-5] Cont.
 In alterations,accessibility to raised or sunken dining
areas, or to all parts of outdoor seating areas is not
required provided that the same services and decor are
provided in an accessible space usable by the general
public and are not.
Food Service Lines [11-5.5]
Food service lines musthave a minimum clear width of
36 inches (915 mm), with a preferred clear width of 42
inches (1065 mm) to allow passage around a person using
a wheelchair.
Tray slides mustbe mounted no higher than 34 inches
(865 mm) above the floor If self-service shelves are
provided, at least 50% of each type mustbe within reach
ranges specified in 11-4.2.5 and 11-4.2.6
110
Food Service Area/Lines
[11-5.5] [11-5.6]
Raised Platforms [11-5.7]
• In banquet rooms or spaces where a head table or speaker's lectern is located on a raised
platform, the platform must be accessible in compliance with §11-4.8 (Ramps) or 11-4.11
(Platform or wheelchair lifts)
• Open edges of a raised platform must be protected by placement of tables or by a curb.
111
Accessible Dining Tables
112
3. Places of exhibition or
entertainment
 A motion picture house, theater, concert hall,
stadium, or other places of exhibition or
entertainment.
4. Places of public gathering
 An auditorium, convention center, lecture hall,
or other places of public gathering.
113
5. Sales or rental establishments
 A bakery, grocery store, clothing store, hardware store,
shopping center, or other sales or rental establishments.
Dressing and Fitting Rooms.[11-4.35]
 11-4.35.1 General. Dressing and fitting rooms required to be
accessible by §11-4.1 shall comply with §11-4.35 and shall be
on an accessible route.
 11-4.35.2 Clear Floor Space. A clear floor space allowing a
person using a wheelchair to make a 180-degree turn shall be
provided in every accessible dressing room entered through a
swinging or sliding door. No door shall swing into any part of
the turning space. Turning space shall not be required in a
private dressing room entered through a curtained opening at
least32 in. (815 mm) wide if clear floor space complying with
§11-4.2 renders the dressing room usable by a person using
a wheelchair.
114
Dressing and Fitting RoomsCont.
 11-4.35.3 Doors. All doors to accessible dressing rooms shall be
in compliance w ith §11-4.13.
 11-4.35.4 Bench. Every accessible dressing room shall have a 24
in. by 48 in. (610 mm by 1220 mm) bench fixed to the w allalong
the longer dimension. The bench shall be mounted 17 in. to 19 in.
(430 mm to 485 mm) above the finish floor. Clear floor space shall
be provided alongside the bench to allow a person using a
w heelchair to make a parallel transfer onto the bench. The
structural strength of the bench and attachments shall comply w ith
§11-4.26.3. Where installed in conjunction w ith show ers,
sw imming pools, or other w et locations, w ater shall not
accumulate upon the surface of the bench and the bench shall
have a slip-resistant surface.
 11-4.35.5 Mirror. Where mirrors are provided in dressing rooms of
the same use, then in an accessible dressing room, a full-length
mirror, measuring at least 18 in. w ide by 54 in. high (460 mm by
1370 mm), shall be mounted in a position affording a view to a
person on the bench as w ell as to a person in a standing position.

20. 20
115
Business and Mercantile 11-
17:
 Sales and service counters, teller windows,
information counters - at least 36” long no
more than 36” high on accessible route
 Equivalent facilitation at hotel registration
 Check out Aisles see table 11-7.3 unless
under 500 sq. ft.
 Alterations, 1 accessible under 5000 sq. ft.,
over 5000 at least one until equivalent
116
6. Service establishments
 A Laundromat, dry-cleaner, bank,
barber shop, beauty shop, travel
service, shoe repair service, funeral
parlor, gas station, office of an
accountant or lawyer, pharmacy,
insurance office, professional office of a
health care provider, hospital, or other
service establishment
117
7. Stations used for specified
public transportation
 A terminal, depot, or other stations used for
specified public transportation.
8. Places of public display or
collection
 A museum, library, gallery, or other places of
public display or collection.
118
Library stacks / card catalog
119
9. Place of recreation
 A park, zoo, amusement park, or other
place of recreation.
10. Places of education
 A nursery, elementary, secondary,
undergraduate, or postgraduate private
school, or other places of education.
120
11. Social service center
establishments
A day care center, senior citizen center,
homeless shelter, food bank, adoption
agency, or other social service center
establishment.

21. 21
121
12. Places of exercise or
recreation
 A gymnasium, health spa, bowling alley,
golf course, or other places of exercise
or recreation.
122
Minimum Requirements
 As a general rule
of thumb, the law
places a priority on
accessible routes,
egress, and
accessible facilities.
 As a practical issue
this means :
 Easy access to and
from the building
 Accessible access
once inside the
building
 Bathrooms that can
accommodate a
wheelchair
 Common areas that
can accommodate all