Recently while in South Carolina for a trial regarding Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance I found significant ADA discrepancies at a county court house building. Please look at the photo on the right. What you are looking at is a parking area that serves the court house. But what’s wrong? Well, it’s a little hard to tell from this distance so see the photo below.

In the photo above there is no access aisle for the first/left accessible parking space, and the two vertical signs in the rear of the photo are too short in height above the ground. And not so obvious is that none of these accessible parking spaces are installed or marked as Van Accessible. Each accessible parking space must have an adjacent access aisle. Access aisles can be shared. The vertical signs must be at least 60 inches from the bottom of the sign to the ground or pavement. And at least one of the accessible parking spaces must be designed, installed, and marked as Van Accessible. Plus, the accessible parking spaces should be on the closest accessible route to the facility. Look at the photo below. These accessible parking spaces are at the far end of the parking space in the photo. See the arrow. There are plenty of opportunities to locate these parking spaces closer to the accessible entrance at the court house facility.

And then when you get into the facility there are more problems, this time with the toilet rooms. In one of the Men’s toilet rooms at this county court house I found a paper towel dispenser that protrudes more than 4 inches from the wall and is not within the 27-inch detection zone for protruding objects, no accessible toilet stall, and plumbing pipes below the sinks that were not insulated or otherwise protected against contact. The photo below shows the paper towel dispenser that protrudes more than 4 inches from the wall and is not within the 27-inch detection zone for protruding objects.

The photo below shows the toilet stall that is intended to be accessible but is designed as an ambulatory stall that is not nearly wide enough for an accessible toilet stall for a disabled individual using a wheelchair.

The photo below shows the plumbing pipes below the sinks that were not insulated or otherwise protected against contact.

SUMMARY: There is a lot to be disappointed in at this facility when it comes to ADA compliance. And this is a county court house where judges and lawyers litigate the ADA. How can that be? Surely these professionals should be aware of these violations. How can we expect the public to comply with the ADA when our own government officials and lawyers don’t.

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

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.