What You Need to Know About the New ADA/ABA-AG Standards

By John P.S. Salmen, AIA

New ADA/ABA-AG StandardsThe US Department of Justice has proposed adopting the American with Disabilities Act/Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADA/ABA-AG) in 2007 as the new ADA Standards for Accessible Design. While nothing is set in stone, the following issues will like have a significant effect on lodging and other types of facilities.
  1. Everything is Covered. In the existing ADA Standards things that are not described are not covered and many non-fixed items, such as dining tables are exempted. The new standards cover everything (fixed or not) even if not described.
  2. Limited Construction Tolerances. Minimums, maximums and ranges are now defined, creating problems with standard construction details, i.e., toilet centerline.
  3. Parking Space #'s and Signage. Increased number of van accessible parking spaces required and signage/striping details are different.
  4. 48" High Maximum Reach Range. No 54" H side reach allowed with side approach.
  5. Partially Obstructed T-Turn. One leg of T- Turn can provide only knee and toe clearance.
  6. 5' Clear Width at All Toilets. Every accessible toilet needs side access.
  7. Lavatory Knee Clearance. 29" apron height has been eliminated, making the knee and toe clearance consistent with other requirements in the document.
  8. Wheelchair Turning Radius Can Overlap Roll-In Shower. With the proper shower edge conditions, the 5' diameter turning space can overlap the shower.
  9. "Cluster" Concept. Groups of nearby and similar facilities (such as specimen rooms, dressing rooms and single user restrooms in clinics) can be grouped together to determine the required minimums.
  10. Dispersion of Accessible Patient Rooms. Not required but strongly recommended.
About the author: John P.S. Salmen, AIA, President of Universal Designers and Consultants, Inc., in Takoma Park, MD, was the American Institute of Architects' representative on the ADA-AG REview Federal Advisory Committee that developed the new ADA/ABA-AG and is publisher of Universal Design Newsletter, www.UniversalDesign.com.

Copyright 2007 Universal Design Newsletter. Reprinted with permission.