Welcome to part 2 of 7 on Building Codes! In this show, learn about the new ADA requirements: understand what the changes mean and when they will take effect, identify key requirements of the proposed regulations, obtain knowledge of where to find resources for further information.

1. The New ADA Requirements:
What’s Ahead and What You Need to Know
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

2. Learning Objectives:
•Understand what the changes mean and when they
might take effect
•Identify key requirements of the proposed
regulations
•Obtain knowledge of where to find resources for
further information
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

3. Fact.
1 in 5 people have a disability that can be classified under the ADA.
That’s 54 million people in the United States.
Disability.
“A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life
activity."
Certain specific conditions are excluded as disabilities, such as substance
abuse and visual impairment which is correctable by prescription lenses.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

4. Who and why is this being
updated now?
New regulations coming from Department of Justice (DOJ).
To be consistent with the ADAAG guidelines (which were
updated in 2004 by the Access Board)
Advocacy groups and other public and governmental entities
believe current standards are inadequate in some aspects.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

5. Like Father, Like Son:
ADA and both Bush Presidents.
Last time regulations were proposed was over 18 years ago in
the 1991/1994 ADA.
It was George H.W. Bush who signed ADA into law in 1990.
And what about W?
G.W.B. signed the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, which is
intended to give broader protections for disabled workers.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

6. Three Important Sections.
Title I: Employment requirements (non‐discrimination, etc.)
Title II: Public Entities (i.e. school districts, municipal, city,
county) and public transportation
Title III: Public Accommodations (i.e., hotels, restaurants, etc.)
and Commercial Facilities
There are two other Titles re: communications and miscellaneous provisions.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

7. What’s the difference
between ADA, ADAAG, Access
Board, ABA, and CalDAG?
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act—the ground‐breaking legislation that
became law in the United States on July 26, 1990, requiring accommodation
and equal treatment for people with disabilities.
ADAAG: Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines— The actual
“design requirements” established by the ADA, these regulations apply to new
construction, as well as to any alterations of existing structures, and provide
specific guidance in implementing the ADA.
Access Board– Developed the ADAAG Guidelines—A Federal Agency whose
primary mission is to promote accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
ABA: Architectural Barriers Act of 1968— The first effort by Congress to
ensure access to the built environment. Still in effect for governmental
facilities.
CalDAG: California Disabled Accessibility Guidebook— Simply a reference
book (not a law or guideline). Blends CBC Chapter 11 requirements with
ADAAG.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

8. If the new ADA is signed in
to law, when will it affect
my projects?
While it was proposed in June 2008 by the DOJ, it
probably won’t be signed in to law until late 2009—could
be later.
It will take 30‐60 days for it to go into publication.
But, the new standards won’t take effect until 6 months
to a year after that, for new construction projects.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

9. 3 Quick Questions with short Answers:
What will the proposed standards
apply to?
Only FIXED construction, equipment, and furniture. Not moveable.
(Same as now.)
Are the proposed standards more or less
strict than the existing ADA standards?
Both. (Estimated that 300 items will be less strict, and 600 more strict.)
Should I just start designing to the new
Standards just to be safe?
No. Because you could risk being non‐compliant with current standards.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

10. What are some issues of
the changes?
The definition of “disability” has been expanded.
Some advocacy groups complain of “looser” guidelines.
Some businesses say proposed standards are more
detailed, more strict, more costly.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

11. Will building owners and
tenants automatically be
required to upgrade their
spaces if the law passes?
No. Only if and when they make alterations. This is called “Safe Harbor”.
(Same as the first time the law was created.)
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

12. What if the new proposal
reduces scoping?
If the new standards call for a reduction in the number of accessible
elements, (i.e., number of accessible entrances, toilets, etc.), the building
owner can reduce their number accordingly.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

13. Name some highlights of
the guideline differences?
•Fewer accessible seats required in assembly spaces
•Accessible seats in assembly spaces have more restrictive
requirements about where they can go. (Not all in front and back
rows.)
•Changes to handrails
•Changes to reach ranges
•Changes to dimensional requirements for restroom fixtures.
•Higher percentage of building entrances must be accessible
•Higher percentage of van accessible parking stalls required
•Includes requirements for children’s environments and play areas
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

14. What should I do when
working on a project?
•Consider state and local accessibility requirements, too.
•Evaluate each project’s expected construction start date
•Do your plans need updating?
•Read the proposed rules now
•Understand the final rules when they are published
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

15. A New Format.
•Numbering system has changed
•New figures (now considered “informational”)
•All dimensions now in the text of the guidelines (not just figures)
•New advisory notes follow some sections—”recommendations”
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

16. Let’s look at some sample
differences.
Number of required accessible entrances.
In certain very large facilities (large shopping malls and
convention centers), the number of accessible entrance is lower
than current standards.
Originally, number of required exits = number of accessible exits
Now, the two have been decoupled.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

17. Let’s look at some sample
differences.
Handrails.
•Reduced handrail extension at the bottom
•New diameters of rails allowed
•1‐1/2” minimum spacing between wall and handrail
Currently, 1‐1/2” spacing is an exact dimension.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

18. Let’s look at some sample
differences.
Accessible Route and Site Arrival Points.
No requirement for a pedestrian route between buildings if
only vehicle access is expected.
Applies mostly to large campuses and remote facilities on large
properties.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

19. Let’s look at some sample
differences.
Accessible parking sign.
Where 4 or fewer parking spaces are provided, no sign
designating them as accessible is required.
As a result, one of the most visible “signs” of accessibility would
be gone in new facilities.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

20. Let’s look at some sample
differences.
Accessible urinal.
Where only 1 urinal is provided, it would not be required to be
accessible.
As a result, people needing this, would have to use the
accessible toilet stall.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

21. Let’s look at some sample
differences.
Multiple single‐user toilet rooms.
When multiple single user toilet rooms are clustered (such as in
doctor’s offices) only 50% must be accessible.
Only half the currently enforceable number of toilet rooms.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

22. Let’s look at some sample
differences.
In‐swinging door in single‐user toilet room.
Doors allowed to swing across the clear floor space at fixtures
as long as a clear floor space is available outside the swing of
the door.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

23. Let’s look at some sample
differences.
Clear floor space at lavatories (restroom sinks).
The code has widened the required clear floor space needed.
New types of wheelchairs need to be accommodated.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

24. Let’s look at some sample
differences.
Rear grab bar changes.
These may be only 24” long when the adjacent fixture is
recessed.
Current is 36” long.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

25. Let’s look at some sample
differences.
Sales and service counters.
One would be allowed to provide a side or forward approach.
Forward approach can be 30” wide.
Currently, side approach is required and is 36” wide.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

26. Let’s look at some sample
differences.
Height of tactile signs.
These need to be mounted with the baseline of their tactile
characters between 48” and 60” AFF.
Low signs might not be obvious to blind users.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

27. Let’s look at some sample
differences.
Assembly area scoping.
The proposed standards require significantly fewer wheelchair
positions.
(About 50% less.)
However, there will be changes about where you can put these
positions. More varied distribution.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

28. Let’s look at some sample
differences.
Dimensional requirements.
Current standards: Exact dimensions measuring the positioning
of certain elements. (I.e., Toilet must be 18” from wall, no
more no less.)
Proposed standard: A range of 16” ‐ 18” is acceptable.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

29. Let’s look at some sample
differences.
Alterations.
Current standards: Alterations that amount to a whole room or
space, the entire space shall be made accessible.
Proposed standard: Gone.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

30. Where can I get more
information?
Access Board Website: www.access‐board.gov
DOJ ADA Website: www.ada.gov
Make sure not to miss Part II & III of this series.
•Details about the many changes coming up.
•Do’s and Don’t of designing accessible.
•All About Universal Design
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

31. Any cool documents that
help me understand
what’s changing?
You bet. A ton.
A side‐by‐side comparison of the new and current standards.
http://www.access‐board.gov/ada‐aba/comparison/index.htm
A searchable digital spreadsheet of comparisons, plus many
other useful files and links available on our Intranet.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know

32. If I have to learn this, how
can I make it more
meaningful?
In California, you can become a Certified Access
Specialist.
http://www.dsa.dgs.ca.gov/Access/casp.htm
Why?
•Be the office go‐to person for accessibility matters.
•Be able to inspect and certify buildings to meet compliance
with accessibility standards.
•Ensure equal rights are being met.
The New ADA – What You Need to Know