Fundamentals of Accessibility AIA Connecticut Presented by

Fundamentals of Accessibility AIA Connecticut Sponsors Introduction of Panel

Accessibility Someone who has a mobility or sensory disability should be able to enter, exit safely, visit, or work productively at a business, use the restroom, and otherwise have access to the same facilities as everyone else.

Americans with Disabilities Act The ADA is civil rights law, not a building code. There are design standards, but human rights are the fundamental consideration.

Who can help make sure my business complies with the ADA? To make changes to your space to meet the requirements of the ADA, consult an architect. To determine the extent of the changes required to comply with the ADA law, consult one of the organizations listed at the end of the presentation.

Must my business be accessible to employees? Employers are prohibited from discriminating against a qualified individual with a disability based on that disability. The employer must make reasonable accommodations.

Must my business be accessible to the public? Places of public accommodation and commerce are prohibited from discrimination on the basis of disability.

Should my business be accessible? Equal access for all people is a civil right. In Connecticut, 7 percent of people over 5 years old have a physical disability. (US Census 2005 American Community Survey)

Providing access to your business is good business People in the U.S. with disabilities have $175 billion in discretionary spending power. (US Department of Labor) Our population is aging. By the year 2030, 71.5 million Baby Boomers will be over the age of 65.

Take down barriers to your business Parking/Arrival Circulation Doors and Thresholds Signage and Alarms Counters and Non-Employee Work Surfaces Restrooms Stairs Reach Ranges

Parking / Arrival Provide accessible parking spaces (including van spaces) as required. Signs marking accessible parking spaces require specific language: ask your building department. Before re-striping a parking lot, check if you need your Zoning Board’s approval.

Parking/Arrival Ramps require landings at doors, turns, tops, and bottoms, and must be limited to an allowable slope. Clear snow and debris from curb cuts, bus stops, and aisles adjacent to accessible parking spaces. Accessible surfaces must be hard so a wheelchair can operate, i.e. not gravel.

Circulation Paths Keep aisles and corridors clear of clutter. Provide a minimum clear width of 3’-0” at all aisles and points on the route through your business. Fill a full-sized shopping cart with 200 pounds of material and navigate with it (without leaving the back of the cart) through your business. If you have trouble making a turn or a level change, a wheelchair user probably will, too.

Door and Thresholds Minimize or eliminate thresholds and raised door sills. Provide lever door handles. Provide 36” wide doors with adequate clearance so someone using crutches, a walker, cane, or wheelchair has room to maneuver. Provide an automatic door operator if there is no clearance.

Signs and Alarms Raised letter and Braille signs are required along the accessible route and other locations. There are standard requirements for the mounting height and location of signs. Auditory and visual smoke and fire alarms may be required.

Protruding Objects People with visual impairments may be harmed by objects protruding into a pathway. Common objects include drinking fountains, wall sconces, fire extinguisher cabinets, handrails, and the underside of stairs.

Counters and Work Surfaces Accessible check-out counters have required height ranges for customers and maximum depths for workers. Accessible customer work counters have height limits and clear knee space requirements. Accommodation must be made for employees.

Restrooms There are many requirements for accessible restrooms: clear floor space, grab bars, mounting heights for fixtures and accessories, etc. Not a good example of an accessible stall—a column is in the required clear floor space.

Stairs There are many requirements for stairs, including those about tread depth and riser height, handrail profile and extensions, nosing, and more.

Reach Ranges Wheelchair users may have a narrow reach range. Let people with mobility impairments know assistance reaching and carrying things is available. Your attitude is important.

Basements, 2 nd and 3 rd Floors Basements, 2 nd and 3 rd floors over 3,000 square feet need to be accessed by an elevator. Even if there is no elevator, accessible features may be required on upper floors.

Alterations So as not to discourage businesses from improving access, there are limits to how much you must spend to improve accessibility.

Is my business “grand-fathered” in? No. “Grandfathering” is a myth! Federal Deadlines for compliance for places of public accommodation and commercial facilities were in 1992 and Just because a business with public accommodation only has been inaccessible for many years does not mean it isn’t required to be accessible.

Is my business accessible? Buildings constructed in the last 15 years should already meet accessibility requirements for construction. Most challenges to accessibility occur in older buildings. Money is better spent adapting existing buildings than paying legal fees and then adapting your existing building.

“Disability is a part of life. And some of us are gonna have it young, and some of us are gonna have it older.” -Ed Roberts, Disability Rights Activist

Additional Resources Ten Small Business Mistakes: Reaching out to Customers with Disabilities: New England ADA and Accessible IT Center: Connecticut Office of Protection and Advocacy :