Checklist

People with disabilities should be able to arrive on the site, approach the building, and enter the building as freely as everyone else. At least one path of travel should be safe and accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities.

Path of Travel

1. Is there a path of travel that does not require the use of stairs?
Yes _____
No _____

2. Is the path of travel stable, firm, and slip-resistant?
Yes _____
No _____

3. Is the path at least 36 inches wide?
Yes _____
No _____

4. Can all objects protruding into the path be detected by a person with a visual disability using a cane? (Note: In order to be detected using a cane, an object must be within 27 inches of the ground. Objects hanging or mounted overhead must be higher than 80 inches to provide clear head room. It is not necessary to remove objects that protrude less than 4 inches from the wall.)
Yes _____
No _____

5. Do curbs on the pathway have curb cuts at drives, parking, and drop-offs?
Yes _____
No _____

Ramps

6. Are the slopes of ramps no greater than 1:12?

(Note: Slope is given as a ratio of the height to the length. 1:12 means for every 12 inches along the base of the ramp, the height increases one inch. For a 1:12 maximum slope, at least one foot of ramp length is needed for each inch of height.)
Yes _____
No _____

7. Do all ramps longer than 6 feet have railings on both sides?
Yes _____
No _____

8. Are railings sturdy, and between 34 and 38 inches high?
Yes _____
No _____

9. Is the width between railings at least 36 inches?
Yes _____
No _____

10. Are ramps non-slip?
Yes _____
No _____

11. Is there a 5-foot-long, level landing at every 30-foot horizontal length of ramp, at the top and bottom of ramps, and at switchbacks?
Yes _____
No _____

Parking

12. Are an adequate number of accessible parking spaces available (8 feet wide for car plus 5-foot striped access aisle)?

For guidance in determining the appropriate number to designate, the table below gives the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) requirement for new construction and alterations (for lots with more than 100 spaces, refer to ADA Design Standards on the ADA Technical Assistance CD-ROM available free from the Department of Justice - click here for ordering information):

Yes _____
No _____

1 to 25              1 space

25 to 50            2 spaces

51 to 75            3 spaces

76 to 100          4 spaces

Note: Check your state building code for parking requirements. Sometimes state codes are more stringent.

13. Are 16-foot-wide spaces, with 98 inches of vertical clearance, available for lift-equipped vans?
Yes _____
No _____

At least one of every 8 accessible spaces must be van-accessible.

14. Are the accessible spaces closest to the accessible entrance?
Yes _____
No _____

15. Are accessible spaces marked with the International Symbol of Accessibility? Are there signs reading "Van Accessible" at van spaces?
Yes _____
No _____

16. Is there an enforcement procedure to ensure that accessible parking is used only by those who need it?
Yes _____
No _____

Entrance

17. If there are stairs at the main entrance, is there also a ramp or lift, or is there an alternative accessible entrance?
Yes _____
No _____

Do not use a service entrance as the accessible entrance unless there is no other option.

18. Do all inaccessible entrances have signs indicating the location of the nearest accessible entrance?
Yes _____
No _____

19. Can the alternate accessible entrance be used independently?
Yes _____
No _____

20. Does the entrance door have at least 32 inches of clear opening (for a double door, at least one 32-inch leaf)?
Yes _____
No _____

21. Is there at least 18 inches of clear wall space on the pull side of the door, next to the handle?
Yes _____
No _____

22.  Is the threshold level less than 1/4 inch or beveled up to 1/2 inch high?
Yes _____
No _____

23. Are doormats 1/2 inch high or less, and secured to the floor at all edges?
Yes _____
No _____

24. Is the door handle no higher than 48 inches and operable with a closed fist?

(The "closed fist" test for handles and controls: Try opening the door or operating the control using only one hand, held in a fist. If you can do it, so can a person who has limited use of his or her hands.)

Yes _____
No _____

25. Can doors be opened with less than 5 pounds of force (lbf)?
(You can use a fish scale to measure the force required to open a door. Attach the hook of the scale to the doorknob or handle. Pull on the ring end of the scale until the door opens, and read off the amount of force required. If you do not have a fish scale, you will need to judge subjectively whether the door is easy enough to open.)

Yes _____
No _____

26. If the door has a closer, does it take at least 3 seconds to close?
Yes _____
No _____

Emergency Egress

28. Is there sufficient lighting for egress pathways such as stairs, corridors, and exit routes?
Yes _____
No _____