Guidelines

Once a person with a disability has entered the building, the next priority for barrier removal is access to the goods and services inside the building.

Horizontal Circulation

1. Does the accessible entrance provide direct access to the main floor, lobby, or elevator?

The accessible entrance should provide access to all parts of the building.

2. Are all public spaces on an accessible path of travel?

Offices, meeting rooms, lavatories, and other public spaces should be on an accessible path of travel.

3. Is the accessible path of travel to all public spaces at least 36 inches wide?

Sometimes furniture, water fountains, vending machines, and counters are barriers in the way of an accessible path of travel. If those furnishings are removed, access is provided.

4. Is there a 5-foot circle or a T-shaped space along the path of travel for a person using a wheelchair to reverse direction?
A person using a wheelchair needs at least a five-foot circle to reverse direction. This can be provided by using an office or room that is on the accessible path of travel.

Doors

5. Do doors in public spaces have at least a 32-inch clear opening?

This is not the width of the door, but the width of the opening.

6. On the pull side of doors, next to the handle, are there at least 18 inches of clear wall space so that a person using a wheelchair can get near to open the door?

This is the amount of clearance needed to approach the door in order to open it.

7. Can doors be opened without too much force (max. 5 lbf)?

People with limited strength must be able to open doors independently.

8. Are door handles 48 inches high or less and operable with a closed fist?

One should be able to open the door with a fist and reach the handle from a sitting position.

9. Are all thresholds less than 1/4 inches or beveled up to 1/2 inch high?

The "threshold" is the "floor" of the doorway. These dimensions will allow access by wheelchairs, people with limited balance, and persons with visual impairment.

Rooms and Spaces

10. Are all aisles and pathways to all goods and services at least 36 inches wide?

There should be a 36-inch-wide path to all parts of the building or to all goods and services. People with disabilities should be able to access the same areas as people without disabilities.

11. Is there a 5-foot circle or T-shaped space in the room for turning a wheelchair completely?
This the amount of space needed for a wheelchair to turn around.

12. Is carpeting low-pile, tightly woven, and securely attached along edges?

Carpeting can be a tremendous barrier for wheelchair users, people who use canes or crutches, people with balance problems, and people with visual impairments.

13. In routes through public areas, are all obstacles cane-detectable (located within 27 inches of the floor or protruding less than four inches from the wall)? Or are they higher than 80 inches?

Obstacles that are located higher than 27 inches and lower than 80 inches can't be detected by a cane.

14. Do signs designating permanent rooms and spaces, such as rest room signs, exit signs, and room numbers comply with the appropriate requirements for accessible signage?

The requirements for accessible signage are as follows:

• Mounted 60 inches from the floor.
• Mounted on the wall adjacent to the pull side of door, or as close as possible to the latch side of door.
• Raised letters of at least 1/32-inches and between 5/8-inches and 2-inches high, using contrasting colors.
• Brailled text.
• If a pictogram is used, text must also be used.

Controls

15. Are all controls that are available for use by the general public including electrical, mechanical, windows, cabinets, games, and self-service controls located at an accessible height?

Reach ranges: the maximum height for a side reach is 54 inches, for a forward reach 48 inches. The minimum reachable height is 15 inches from the floor.

16. Are they operable with a closed fist?

If so, then they are usable by an individual with limited dexterity.

Seats, Tables, and Counters

17. Are the aisles between chairs or tables at least 36 inches wide?

This allows for accessible travel within a room.

18. Are there spaces for wheelchair seating distributed throughout?

Spaces for wheelchair seating should be integrated and should provide users with options for seating. Spaces for wheelchair seating should not be lumped together in one area or in the back of the room.

19. Are the tops of tables or counters between 28 and 34 inches high?

This is the space that is needed for a wheelchair user to approach and use a table or countertop.

20. Are knee spaces at accessible tables at least 27 inches high, 30 inches wide, and 19 inches deep?

This is the amount of space needed for a wheelchair user to sit at a table.

Vertical Circulation

21. Are there ramps or elevators to all levels?

22. On each level, if there are stairs between the entrance and or elevators and essential public areas, is there an accessible path of travel?

The accessible path of travel must include moving from level to level.

Stairs

23. Do treads have a non-slip surface?

Treads, or steps, should be constructed with non-slip material or have non-slip surfaces attached.

24. Do stairs have continuous rails on both sides with extensions beyond the top and bottom stairs?

Rails must be continuous so that they can be held the entire time that someone is using the stairs.

Elevators

25. Are there both visible and verbal or audible door opening/closing and floor indicators?

Indicators must be accessible to visually impaired people as well as people with hearing loss.

26. Are the call buttons in the hallway no higher than 42 inches?

Call buttons must be accessible to persons using wheelchairs.

27. Do the controls outside and inside the cab have raised and Braille lettering?

Controls must be accessible to persons with visual impairments.

28. Is there a sign on the jamb at each floor identifying the floor in raised and Braille letters?

Tactile signage for persons with visual impairments must be located on each floor. Such signage should be located 60 inches from the floor.

29. Is the emergency intercom usable without voice communication?

People with speech or hearing impairments must be able to communicate in an emergency situation.

30. Are there Braille and raised letter instructions for communication systems?

Instructions must be accessible for persons with visual disabilities.

Lifts

31. Can the lift be used without assistance? If not, is a call button provided?

People should be able to operate the lifts without assistance. If this is not possible, assistance should be easily and readily available.

32. Are there at least 30 by 48 inches of clear space for a person using a wheelchair to approach to reach the control and use the lift?

This is the minimum clearance needed to approach the lift.

33. Are controls between 15 and 48 inches high (up to 54 inches if a side approach is possible)?

These are the reach ranges for persons using a wheelchair.