Ever been to a sporting event or concert and had people stand up in front of you and block your view?  All of us have.  But image what it must be like for the handicapped.  On September 6, 2018, the U.S. Access Board (the Board, USAB) will hold a public forum on accessibility and assembly areas at the Access Board Conference Center in Washington, D.C. The day-long event will focus on accessibility issues related to the design of movie theaters, dinner theaters, performing arts centers, lecture halls, stadiums, arenas, grandstands, and other assembly venues.

Many of these issues are covered in Chapter 8 of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.  Topics covered include Wheelchair Spaces, Companion Seats, Designated Aisle Seats, and Lines of Sight.  Lines of Sight is referring to Lines of Sight Over Seated Spectators both over heads and between heads, and Lines of Sight Over Standing Spectators both over heads and between heads.  See the diagram below for a depiction of line of site over heads of standing spectators.

Line of Site Over Standing Spectators

In the drawing above, 2010 ADA Standard 802.2.1.1 applies and states, "Lines of Sight Over Heads. Where spectators are provided lines of sight over the heads of spectators seated in the first row in front of their seats, spectators seated in wheelchair spaces shall be afforded lines of sight over the heads of seated spectators in the first row in front of wheelchair spaces."

The Board is particularly interested in design challenges and potential solutions related to the standards issued under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as those that apply to federally funded facilities under the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). Technical questions concerning use of these standards in new construction and alterations are also welcome. This includes provisions on the dispersion of wheelchair spaces, lines of sight, companion seating, designated aisle seats, luxury boxes, club suites, and assistive listening systems, among others. The Board is collecting this information for a technical bulletin on assembly areas that it plans to develop as part of its Guide to the ADA Standards and the ABA Standards.

Persons with disabilities, advocacy groups, designers and architects, trade groups, codes organizations, industry, manufacturers, and other interested parties are welcome to attend. Registration is not required. This event will be in-person only and will not be streamed online.

Direct any questions to Dave Yanchulis at yanchulis@access-board.gov or (202) 272-0026 (v), or (202) 272-0027 (TTY).
Information Meeting on Assembly Area Accessibility
September 6, 9:30 – 5:00 (ET)
Access Board Conference Center
1331 F Street, NW, Suite 800
Washington, D.C.

ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, offers ADA/ABA/FHA accessibility compliance inspections for buildings and facilities, as applicable to the different laws, and expert witness services with respect to ADA/ABA/FHA laws for building owners, tenants and managers. Also, ADAIN offers consulting for home modifications as a CAPS consultant for people wishing to age in place in their homes. For a complete list of services please see ADAIN Services.

Thank you