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Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990  (ADA)
 

Logo: American with Disabilities Act

ADA Design Specifications

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990 and was amended in 2009.  It is a civil rights law, not a building code, that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places open to the general public.

 

Title III of this law applies to public accommodations which cover privately-owned, leased, or operated facilities, such as common areas owned by the HOA.

 

Professional engineers and architects are required to follow the ADA Standards for Accessible Design in conjunction with local building codes for the design, construction, and alteration of sites, buildings, and facilities to accommodate the use and access needs of disabled individuals.

 

All homeowners who are members of a Homeowner's Association (HOA) should be knowledgeable about the ADA.  Common spaces owned by the HOA can be associated with significant liability as related to ADA design and maintenance requirements. 

 

The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design publication is available at  https://archive.ada.gov/regs2010/2010ADAStandards/2010ADAStandards.pdf

Surfaces

Guidelines for the design and layout of ground surfaces is a part of the A.D.A. standards.  Differential movement between sections of pavement, cracks, and deterioration can result in trip hazards and/or can cause ambulatory difficulties for pedestrians and individuals in wheelchairs.  Flat pavement slopes can result in slippery conditions due to water buildup or ice.  Steep slopes may affect an individual’s ability to properly balance and may be unmanageable for individuals in wheelchairs or with walkers.

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The ADA Standards for Accessible Design state the following:

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  • "Openings. Openings in floor or ground surfaces shall not allow passage of a sphere more than ½-inch (13 mm) diameter… Elongated openings shall be placed so that the long dimension is perpendicular to the dominant direction of travel."

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  • "Vertical. Changes in level of ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high maximum shall be permitted to be vertical."

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  • "Beveled. Changes in level between ¼ inch (6.4 mm) high minimum and ½ inch (13 mm) high maximum shall be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:2."

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  • "Ramps. Changes in level greater than ½ inch (13 mm) high shall be ramped…"

 

  • "Slope. Ramp runs shall have a running slope not steeper than 1:12."

 

  • "Carpet.  Carpet or carpet tile shall be securely attached and shall have a firm cushion, pad, or backing or no cushion or pad. Carpet or carpet tile shall have a level loop, textured loop, level cut pile, or level cut/uncut pile texture. Pile height shall be ½ inch (13 mm) maximum. Exposed edges of carpet shall be fastened to floor surfaces and shall have trim on the entire length of the exposed edge."

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Handicap Parking Spaces

The ADA Standards for Accessible Design state the following:

 

  • "502.2 Vehicle Spaces.  Car parking spaces shall be 96 inches (2440 mm) wide minimum and van parking spaces shall be 132 inches (3350 mm) wide minimum…"

 

  • "502.3.1 Width. Access aisles serving car and van parking spaces shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) wide minimum."

 

  • "502.3.4 Location.  Access aisles shall not overlap the vehicular way.  Access aisles shall be permitted to be placed on either side of the parking space except for angled van parking spaces which shall have access aisles located on the passenger side of the parking spaces."

 

  • "502.5 Vertical Clearance.  Parking spaces for vans and access aisles and vehicular routes serving them shall provide a vertical clearance of 98 inches (2490 mm) minimum."

Passenger Loading Zones

ADA Requirements for Passenger Loading Zones

 

The ADA Standards for Accessible Design state the following:

 

"503.2 Vehicle Pull-Up Space.  Passenger loading zones shall provide a vehicular pull-up space 96 inches (2440 mm) wide minimum and 20 feet (6100 mm) long minimum."

 

"503.3 Access Aisle. Passenger loading zones shall provide access aisles…adjacent to the vehicle pull-up space.  Access aisles shall adjoin an accessible route and shall not overlap the vehicular way."

 

"503.3.1 Width.  Access aisles serving vehicle pull-up spaces shall be 60 inches (1525 mm) wide."

Drainage

Flat areas or bird baths (shallow puddles on pavement) are caused by inadequate pavement slopes, preventing the pavement's surface from properly draining.  Asphalt depressions holding water of only a depth more than the thickness of a coin are hazardous and can lead to wet slippery, or icy conditions.  It is difficult for pedestrians, especially those with mobility and balance issues, to notice or gauge how deep the very shallow depths of standing water are and take the proper precautions when traveling on such surfaces.  For these reasons, it is important to maintain pavements, sidewalks, and ramp surfaces so that they comply with ADA standards.

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And deficiencies in pavement slope, standing water, or damaged surfaces need to be repaired.

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More information on pavements >>

Additional ADA Reference Material Information

Americans Disabilities Act Title III Regulations https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/titleIII_2010/titleIII_2010_regulations.htm#a403


ADA Technical Assistance Manual https://www.ada.gov/taman3.html

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