Look at the photo on the right. What you see is an example of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) done right.

This is the main/front public entrance to a Morris Bank in Georgia. You should notice a step system that is used to enter the entrance. Step systems cannot be used as part of an accessible entrance. There must be an alternative way to enter the facility

2010 ADA Standard defines an entrance as “Any access point to a building or portion of a building or facility used for the purpose of entering. An entrance includes the approach walk, the vertical access leading to the entrance platform, the entrance platform itself, vestibule if provided, the entry door or gate, and the hardware of the entry door or gate.”

2010 ADA Standard 206.2.1, Site Arrival Points, states, “At least one accessible route shall be provided within the site from accessible parking spaces and accessible passenger loading zones; public streets and sidewalks; and public transportation stops to the accessible building or facility entrance they serve.”

2010 ADA Standard 206.4, Entrances, states, “Entrances shall be provided in accordance with [Standard] 206.4. Entrance doors, doorways, and gates shall comply with [Standard] 404 and shall be on an accessible route complying with [Standard] 402.”

2010 ADA Standard 402, {Accessible Routes] 402.2, Components, states, “Accessible routes shall consist of one or more of the following components: walking surfaces with a running slope not steeper than 1:20, doorways, ramps, curb ramps excluding the flared sides, elevators, and platform lifts. All components of an accessible route shall comply with the applicable requirements of Chapter 4.” Note that stair systems are not considered part of accessible routes.

2010 ADA Standard 216.6, [Signs] Entrances, states, “Where not all entrances comply with [Standard] 404, entrances complying with [Standard] 404 shall be identified by the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with [Standard] 703.7.2.1. Directional signs complying with [Standard] 703.5 that indicate the location of the nearest entrance complying with [Standard] 404 shall be provided at entrances that do not comply with [Standard] 404.” The graphic below is representative of directional signs at an entrance that is not accessible.

And, in fact, that is exactly what the Morris Bank has done for this entrance. If you look closely at the photo above, you will see an ADA directional sign to the right of the entrance. The photo below is a closeup of that sign.

The sign above directs disabled individuals to accessible parking and an accessible entrance at another location at the facility and, goes on to offer a phone number for further assistance. This is not only an excellent example of the ADA done right, but also an excellent example of taking ADA compliance to a higher level.

Remember, the laws in the ADA are minimums. If an entity chooses to go beyond the requirements of the ADA, that’s great. And by offering a telephone number to call for assistance, which is not required by the ADA, the Morris Bank has certainly gone beyond the minimum requirements in the ADA. Congratulations!

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If you observe a facility that is not ADA compliant and you would like to know how to proceed, please see the link at What To Do When A Building Is Not ADA Compliant or Accessible.

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.