SIAA ADA Level 2 cheat sheet

ADA Title II covers state and local government entities; Title III covers public accommodations and commercial facilities; Title I covers employment.

The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design govern new construction and alterations; the 1991 Standards still apply to elements not altered until altered.

For Title II and Title III, compliance with the 2010 Standards is required for covered elements; safe harbor protects elements compliant with 1991 Standards until altered.

Accessible route and element dimensions are measured to the finished surface, and clear width is measured between the widest points of opposing elements.

Reach ranges: unobstructed high forward reach 48 in max, low forward reach 15 in min; obstructed high reach 48 in max with reach depth limits per table.

Operable parts must be operable with one hand, without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting, using no more than 5 lbf of force.

Protruding objects: wall-mounted objects with leading edge 27 to 80 in above floor may protrude 4 in max; freestanding objects detectable by cane are permitted.

A single accessible route must connect site arrival points, accessible entrances, and all accessible spaces within the site.

Accessible route clear width is 36 in min; passing spaces of 60 by 60 in are required at intervals of 200 ft max where route is less than 60 in wide.

Route surface must be firm, stable, and slip resistant; changes in level up to 1/4 in may be vertical, 1/4 to 1/2 in must be beveled, and over 1/2 in requires a ramp.

Running slope of an accessible route is 1:20 max; steeper than 1:20 is a ramp. Cross slope is 1:48 max.

Accessible parking: car 96 in min width, van 132 in min width; access aisle 60 in min, two spaces may share one aisle.

Van-accessible spaces require a 98 in min vertical clearance at the space, aisle, and vehicular route.

Number of accessible spaces scales with total spaces: 1 for 1-25, 2 for 26-50, 3 for 51-75, 4 for 76-100, then increments per the standards table.

One in every six accessible spaces, and at least one, must be van accessible; signage with International Symbol of Access is required at each accessible space.

Access aisles must be marked, may not overlap the vehicular way, and must connect to an accessible route to the building entrance.

At least one accessible entrance must be provided; if not all entrances are accessible, the accessible entrance must be on an accessible route and identified by signage.

Door clear opening width is 32 in min measured between the face of the door and the stop, with the door open 90 degrees.

Maneuvering clearance at doors depends on approach direction and door swing; a front approach to a swinging door requires 60 in min depth on the pull side.

Door hardware must be operable with one hand and no tight grasping, pinching, or twisting; 5 lbf max operating force for interior hinged doors.

Thresholds at doorways are 1/2 in max high and must be beveled on both sides if over 1/4 in.

Accessible routes within a building must connect accessible entrances, spaces, and elements; corridors serving accessible spaces must be 36 in min clear.

Two-way traffic in a corridor requires 60 in min width, or passing spaces at 200 ft max intervals.

Automatic and power-assisted doors must comply with opening force and timing limits; closing speed and opening duration are specified for accessibility.

Water closets in accessible compartments require 60 in min width compartment and 56 in min depth for wall-hung or 59 in for floor-mounted per standards.

Grab bars are required on the rear and side walls; side wall grab bar is 42 in min long, rear wall grab bar is 36 in min long.

Water closet seat height is 17 to 19 in measured to the top of the seat; flush controls must be operable with 5 lbf max.

Lavatories require 29 in min knee clearance, 30 in min width, and 27 in min high clearance at the front edge; pipes must be insulated or concealed.

Mirrors above lavatories must have the bottom edge at 40 in max above the floor when mounted over an obstruction.

Accessible toilet compartments: 60 in wide by 56 in deep for wall-hung water closets, or 60 in wide by 59 in deep for floor-mounted water closets.

Urinals must have an elongated rim with the top at 17 in max above the floor; clear floor space 30 by 48 in is required.

Shower and tub controls, seats, and grab bars have specified locations and heights in the standards; shower seats are required in standard roll-in showers.

Ramp running slope is 1:12 max; cross slope is 1:48 max; ramp rise over 30 in requires a landing.

Ramp landings: top and bottom landings 60 in min length, intermediate landings 60 in min length at each 30 in max rise.

Ramp width is 36 in min clear between handrails; handrails are required on both sides of ramps with rise greater than 6 in.

Handrail height is 34 to 38 in above the ramp surface; extensions must be provided at the top and bottom of the ramp.

Edge protection is required on ramps; a curb or barrier prevents a 4 in sphere from passing.

Stair treads and risers: riser height 4 to 7 in, tread depth 11 in min; nosings must be detectable and have a radius of 1/2 in max.

Elevator car dimensions: 36 in min door clear width; car size depends on the type; a 48 in min deep car is required for some configurations.

Platform lifts are permitted as an alternative to ramps in certain conditions, such as within a dwelling unit or where terrain prevents a ramp.

Signs identifying permanent rooms and spaces must have raised characters and braille, and must be mounted on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door.

Tactile signs must be mounted 48 to 60 in above the finished floor to the baseline of the highest raised character.

Visual character height on tactile signs is 5/8 to 2 in; raised characters must be sans serif and not italic or oblique.

Assistive listening systems are required in assembly areas with audio amplification and seating capacity of 50 or more, per the standards table.

Number of assistive listening receivers required is based on seating capacity; a percentage of receivers must be hearing-aid compatible.

Visual alarms and notification appliances are required in accessible spaces and public and common use areas in certain occupancies.

Signs directing to accessible entrances and accessible features must include the International Symbol of Accessibility.

Two-way communication systems at accessible entrances must be operable with 5 lbf max and positioned within reach ranges.

Assembly areas with fixed seating require wheelchair spaces and companion seats; the number of wheelchair spaces is based on seating capacity.

Wheelchair spaces must be an integral part of the seating plan, provide a 30 by 48 in clear floor space, and have a line of sight comparable to adjacent seats.

Companion seats must be provided adjacent to wheelchair spaces at a ratio of at least one companion seat per wheelchair space.

Dispersion requirements apply to wheelchair spaces and companion seats across seating types and price ranges in assembly areas.

Recreational facilities such as swimming pools, play areas, and exercise machines have specific accessible route and transfer requirements in the standards.

Team player seating areas and accessible routes to playing surfaces are required in certain recreation facilities.

Dressing, fitting, and locker rooms must have accessible elements including benches and accessible routes.

Accessible guest rooms in hotels must have specified numbers of accessible rooms with roll-in showers and visual alarms.

Alterations must comply with the 2010 Standards to the maximum extent feasible; if full compliance is structurally impracticable, alternative compliance is allowed.

Path of travel to altered areas must be accessible to the extent that the cost of providing access is not disproportionate to the overall alteration cost.

The disproportionate cost threshold is 20 percent of the cost of the alteration to the primary function area.

Safe harbor applies to elements compliant with the 1991 Standards and not altered after March 15, 2012; those elements need not be upgraded until altered.

Title II entities must conduct a self-evaluation and develop a transition plan if structural changes are needed to achieve program access.

Transition plans must identify physical obstacles, describe methods to make facilities accessible, specify a schedule, and identify the official responsible.

Program access requires that each program, when viewed in its entirety, be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

New construction after the effective date of the 2010 Standards must comply fully with the 2010 Standards; no safe harbor for new elements.

Inspection should verify dimensions with a measuring tape or digital level, and document each element against the applicable standard citation.

Common inspection findings include missing or incorrect grab bars, insufficient clear floor space, and noncompliant door hardware.

Photographs, measurements, and notes should be recorded for each finding; documentation should identify the standard section and the observed condition.

A compliance report should distinguish between compliant elements, noncompliant elements, and elements not applicable.

Accessible route continuity should be verified from the site arrival point to the accessible entrance and through the building to all accessible spaces.

Tolerance for field measurements should be noted, and any measurement within a small tolerance of the limit should be flagged for review.

Reports should include a summary of findings, prioritized remediation recommendations, and a schedule for corrections where applicable.

Documentation should record the date, inspector, weather conditions, and instruments used for measurements.