Disability Lawsuit Against Art College for Door Compliance with ADA
Richard Acree at ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, (ADAIN) successfully completed a Disability Lawsuit against an Art College for door compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).
Richard served on behalf of the plaintiff in a case where the plaintiff identified doors within the facility that impaired the plainitiff’s ability to maneuver into and out of the exterior doors, and through the interior doors, including doors to the toilet rooms and classrooms.
Title III of the ADA mandates that architectural barriers to access and violations of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design will be removed in a manner that is consistent with Title III of the ADA, and the Title III regulations, 28 C.F.R. Part 36, including to the extent applicable the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design (the 2010 Standards). The 2010 ADA Standards consist of the 2004 ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and the requirements contained in subpart D of 28 C.F.R. Part 46. The 2004 ADAAG means the requirements set forth in appendices B and D to 36 C.F.R. Part 1191 (2009).
On behalf of the plaintiff, Richard inspected most of the doors at this facility for compliance with the 2010 Standards. There are several issues that can apply to any door and there are some differences between exterior and interior doors. Issues common to all doors include:
Door width
Threshold height and slope
Signage
A smooth surface within 10 inches of the floor
Projections into the clear area
Maneuvering space when approaching the door
Floor surface on both sides of the door
Door hardware such as door handles and locks
Force required to open the door
Speed at which doors with closers actually close
Spacing between door in series (in a vestibule)
Glass installations in the door or near the door