Passed by Congress and signed into law in 1990, the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice and aimed at providing equal access to disabled citizens at public buildings and private businesses open to the public. From parking lots and front entryways to bathrooms and indoor goods and services, the ADA sets clear guidelines to make navigating public areas possible for disabled people.

Clear Approach

ADA standards mandate that accessibility begins from the moment disabled people enter a parking lot and approach buildings open to the public. Parking spaces must be at least 8 feet wide and flanked by aisles at least 5 feet wide for cars and 8 feet wide for accessible vans to allow enough clearance for the removal or exiting of wheelchairs from vehicles. Pathways to entryways must be at least 36 inches wide and pose no obstructions.

Front Door Access

Entryways must be accessible to wheelchairs either through ramps, lifts or graded sidewalks that come up level to doorways without lower thresholds. Ramps must be no steeper than an inch of rise for every 12 inches of length and provide staggered flat landings for rest every 30 feet.

From Room to Room

All doorways, internal and external, must be at least 32 inches wide, allowing for wheelchair clearance. Internal doors from room to room must be operable with a closed fist and require no more than 5 lb. of pressure to open.

Toilets and Stalls

Grab bars to facilitate transfer from wheelchairs must be located near all toilets, and toilet seats should rise no more than 19 inches from the floor. Stalls require a 5-foot-square area free of the area through which the stall doors swing. This provides sufficient room for maneuvering wheelchairs inside.

Signs and Symbols

Any main entryways or bathrooms not accessible under the ADA must be marked with clear directions to alternative accessible doors or facilities. Universal wheelchair symbols should be marked on all directional signs, on doors of accessible facilities and on or near accessible parking spaces.

Source:

ADA Checklist for Readily Achievable Barrier Removal