Most of the above standards make reference to or follow many of the guidelines established by ANSI 117.1. ANSI A117.1ĪNSI 117.1, first published in 1961, was the original accessibility standard. It is important that you consult with the state and local governments where your project is located to confirm accessibility standards. States and other local jurisdictions can adopt more stringent standards than the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. State and Local Accessibility Regulations
Be sure to check for the latest requirements. Residential facilities under the jurisdiction of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) require the use of the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards however, it is expected that HUD will eventually adopt the current ABA standards. The ABA has been adopted by the General Services Administration (GSA), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the U.S. The Standards apply to "places of public accommodation, commercial facilities, and state and local government facilities covered by the ADA." Federal Facility Guidelines - Architectural Barriers Act (ABA)įor all federally funded projects, the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Standards shall be used. The 2010 ADA Standards must be followed for all new construction and renovations as of March 15, 2012. Both of these guidelines must be used in conjunction with the full codes – they are not standalone documents. Access Board provides a Guide to the ADA Accessibility Standards, with helpful graphics to explain the ADA Standards. The Department of Justice offers official Guidance on the 2010 Standards.
Access Board website in a format that is easier to navigate. The link above provides documentation in HTML and PDF format, but the same information is available at the U.S. This code is governed by the US Department of Justice. The current accessibility code in the United States is the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Be sure to check your state requirements for more strict requirements than the Federal laws require. The information below was updated on February 21, 2021. Also known as the Access Board, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, manages the specific design guidelines that building designers and constructors must follow however, the US Department of Justice is responsible for enacting the guidelines and making them standards. Title V, section 12204 indicates that "the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board shall issue minimum guidelines" that supplement the rest of the ADA law. Private clubs and religious organizations are excluded.Įffective December 26th, 1992, all new construction or significant renovations to existing construction must be "readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, except where an entity can demonstrate that it is structurally impracticable to meet the requirements of such subsection in accordance with standards set forth or incorporated by reference in regulations issued." Under ADA, Title III, "No individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation." Public accommodations basically cover most places a person can visit, such as: restaurants, theaters, parks, offices, retail stores, businesses, gyms, hospitals, schools, etc. While the act covers a wide-ranging set of rules and regulations, architects are most concerned with Title III, Public Accommodations (and Commercial Facilities) and the provision of Title V that creates the Accessibility Guidelines. The act was signed into law by President George H.W. The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination (under most circumstances) based on disability.
So, Which Accessibility Regulation Should I Use?.State and Local Accessibility Regulations.Federal Facility Guidelines - Architectural Barriers Act (ABA).2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.