IQ Spring 2012: The Conference Issue - (Page 30)

thought Leaders// The Top 10 Things Design-Builders Should Know About the New ADA Standards By nancy horton the u.s. departMeNt of Justice (DOJ) revised its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations in September 2010, adopting new facility design standards. The “2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design” include both changes to the 1991 standards and entirely new sections on facilities not previously addressed. Following are a few of the highlights: 1. New allowances and guidance for the design for parallel approach and transfer, eliminating the placement of lavatories immediately adjacent to toilets in most settings 8. Revised requirements related to scoping and dispersion of accessible guest rooms in hotels and other places of lodging 9. Reduced scoping requirements for wheelchair of spaces, including toilet facilities, drinking fountains and dining and work surfaces used primarily by children 2. New scoping and technical specifications for seating spaces in large assembly venues such as arenas; greater specificity regarding dispersion of accessible seating 10. A “safe harbor” provision that allows elements state and local government facilities, including jails, prisons, courtrooms and residential facilities 3. New requirements for recreational facilities, that already comply with the 1991 standards to remain unchanged until such time as they undergo a planned alteration in the future The new rules don’t change the basic provisions of the ADA: DOJ’s rules still only apply to state and local governments and most private businesses. The way the rules and standards are applied is largely unchanged. Entities subject to DOJ’s rules will follow the new standards for new construction projects and alterations as well as any structural accessibility improvements they make to existing buildings. For more information, contact your regional ADA Center at (800) 949-4232 voice/TTy or www. adata.org. Or contact the Department of Justice at (800) 514-0301 voice, (800) 514-0383 TTy or www.ada.gov. nancY horton IS an InforMatIon SpEcIaLISt for thE MID-atLantIc aDa cEntEr. ShE haS BEEn WorKInG In thE DISaBILItY fIELD for nEarLY 25 YEarS anD haS EXtEnSIvE KnoWLEDGE of accESSIBLE DESIGn ISSUES, archItEctUraL pLanS rEvIEW, StrUctUraL anD proGraM accESS aSSESSMEnt, anD BarrIErrEMovaL actIvItIES In EXIStInG facILItIES. including golf and miniature golf courses, swimming pools, amusement rides, fishing and boating facilities, exercise machines and playgrounds for children 4. New provisions for social service centers, such as group homes, halfway houses and shelters, as well as housing at educational institutions such as dormitories 5. Revised side-reach specifications, narrowing the range to no lower than 15 inches and no higher than 48 inches above the floor for reachable elements approached sideways 6. Increased scoping requirement and updated configuration for van-accessible parking spaces 7. Revised requirements for the design of acces- sible toilet facilities, including expanded clearance at accessible toilets to provide space 30 spring//2012 the quarterly publication of the design-build institute of america http://www.adata.org http://www.ada.gov

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IQ Spring 2012: The Conference Issue

IQ Spring 2012: The Conference Issue