An accessible means of egress is a critical component of any facility that requires compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This article explains requirements in the 2010 ADA Standards and referenced sections of the International Building Code (IBC) for an accessible means of egress.
Read MoreA Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) consultant for home modifications can play an important role in support of a health care case manager. The CAPS certification program was developed by the American Association of Retired People (AARP) and National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to train qualified individuals in the process of planning and installing home modifications to enable people to age in place in their homes.
Read MorePlay area ground surfaces must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The 2010 ADA Standards have requirements for playground surfaces to include run slope, cross slope, gaps, change in elevation, vertical clearance, resistance to rolling a manual wheelchair across the surface, and impact attenuation from a fall.
Read MoreThe 2010 ADA Standards defines a ramp as a walking surface that has a running slope steeper than 1:20 [5%]. Ramps are similar to walking surfaces but with a steeper slope. Ramps can be a part of an accessible route. Any change in vertical elevation greater than 1/2 inch must be designed and installed as a ramp.
Read MoreThere are many aspects of pedestrian doors that must comply with the ADA Standards. Disabled individuals will tell you that doors are one of the most difficult elements for them to access. In fact doors can be one of the most common complaints filed in ADA lawsuits. For many reasons the doors in any public or private facility should be installed and monitored closely for ADA compliance.
Read MoreThis article will include a technical presentation of a walking surface as defined by the ADA. Walking surfaces can be part of an accessible route. Walking surfaces have requirements for width, slope, surface conditions, and, in some situations, passing space.
Read MoreProtruding objects are common discrepancies in facilities where the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws apply. Protruding object laws for ADA compliance apply to all circulation paths. These rules are complex and compliance involves detailed inspections of all installations in a facility that can be accessed by disabled individuals.
Read MoreReach ranges are regulated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in section 308 of the 2010 ADA Standards. Reach ranges are broken down into forward or side (parallel) reach, obstructed high reach and unobstructed reach. Reach ranges are designed to provide accessibility for disabled people, especially people living in a wheelchair.
Read MoreProtruding objects are common discrepancies in facilities where the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws apply. Protruding object laws for ADA compliance apply to all circulation paths. These rules are complex and compliance involves detailed inspections of all installations in a facility that can be accessed by disabled individuals.
Read MoreThe 46 Disability Job Opportunity Project [Project] offers guidance for disabled individuals interested in a position with the Biden Administration. Please click on the link to fill out a form to apply for positions that may be forthcoming as the Administration starts to fill positions.
Read MoreClear floor and ground spaces are a necessary and common part of ADA compliance. Clear spaces provide a 30X48 inch flat floor or ground space from which the disabled can reach operable parts and other elements.
Read MoreTurning Space as defined by the ADA is covered in 2010 ADA Standard 304, Turning Space. Turning space can be a circular space or a T-shaped space. There are some exceptions to these requirements for issues such as technical infeasibility and the date the facility was constructed or occupied, but if these exceptions are employed it is important to understand that the installation does not comply with the intent of the ADA.
Read MoreTitle II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that state and local governments ensure that persons with disabilities have access to the pedestrian routes in the public right of way. An important part of this requirement is the obligation whenever streets, roadways, or highways are altered to provide curb ramps where street level pedestrian walkways cross curbs.
Read MoreA new statewide study about Tennessee disability information and resources led by the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities is available at TN Disability Survey. In preparation for a major revision of their online and in-person resources, they are seeking input from people with disabilities, parents, siblings, teachers, service providers, and all other disability professionals.
Read MoreThere are specific Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for floor and ground surfaces. This article will present the technical requirements for ADA compliance of floor and ground surfaces. The 2010 ADA Standards that apply most to floor and ground surfaces are 302 and 303.
Read MoreThe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has a requirement for an accessible circulation path leading to a primary function area when a facility is altered. A primary function is a major activity for which the facility was intended.
Read MoreThere is a difference between what is a building alteration and what is periodic maintenance. A building alteration is defined in the 2010 ADA Standards as “A change to a building or facility that affects or could affect the usability of the building or facility or portion thereof. Alterations include, but are not limited to, remodeling, renovation, rehabilitation, reconstruction, historic restoration, resurfacing of circulation paths or vehicular ways, changes or rearrangement of the structural parts or elements, and changes or rearrangement in the plan configuration of walls and full-height partitions.”
Read MoreThe Justice Department today announced that it reached an agreement with Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, to resolve the department’s findings of disability discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the agreement Amtrak will fix inaccessible stations and pay $2.25 million to victims hurt by its inaccessible stations.
Read MoreThis article will review the technical requirements for kitchens and kitchenettes with respect to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). First it is important to note that the ADA does not distinguish between kitchens and kitchenettes.
Read MoreThis article will review the technical requirements for kitchens and kitchenettes with respect to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). First it is important to note that the ADA does not distinguish between kitchens and kitchenettes.
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