Access AmeriCorps
Follow-up Priority 2: Access to Goods and Services
Once a person with a disability has entered the building, the next priority for barrier removal is access to the goods and services inside the building.
Horizontal Circulation
- Does the accessible entrance provide direct access to the main floor, lobby or elevator?
- Are all public spaces on an accessible path of travel?
- Is the accessible path of travel to all public spaces at least 36 inches wide?
- Is there 5 foot circle or a T-shaped space for a person using a wheelchair to reverse direction?
The accessible entrance should provide access to all parts of the building.
Offices, meeting rooms, lavatories and other public spaces should be on an accessible path of travel.
Sometimes furniture, water fountains, vending machines and counters are barriers in the way of an accessible path of travel. If those furnishings are removed, access is provided.
A person using a wheelchair needs at least a five foot circle. This can be provided by using an office or room that is on the accessible path of travel.
Doors
- Do doors in public spaces have at least a 32 inch clear opening?
- On the pull side of doors, next to the handle, are there at least 18 inches of clear wall space so that a person using a wheelchair can get near to open the door?
- Can doors be opened without too much force (max. 5 lbf)?
- Are door handles 48 inches high or less and operable with a closed fist?
- Are all thresholds less than 1/4 inches or beveled up to 1/2 inch high?
This is not the width of the door, but the width of the opening.
This is the amount of clearance needed to approach the door in order to open it.
People with limited strength must be able to open doors independently.
One should be able to open the door with a fist and reach the handle from a sitting position.
The "threshold" is the "floor" of the doorway. These dimensions will allow access by wheelchairs, people with limited balance, and persons with visual impairment.
Rooms and Spaces
- Are all aisles and pathways to all goods and services at least 36 inches wide?
- Is there a 5 foot circle of a T shaped space for turning a wheelchair around completely?
- Is carpeting low-pile, tightly woven, and securely attached along edges?
- In routes through public areas, are all obstacles cane-detectable (located within 27 inches of the floor or protruding less than four inches from the wall?) Or are they higher than 80 inches?
- Do signs designating permanent rooms and spaces, such as rest room signs, exit signs and room numbers comply with the appropriate requirements for accessible signage?
- Mounted 60 inches from the floor.
- Mounted on the wall adjacent to the latch side of door, or as close as possible to the latch side of door.
- Raised letters at least 1/32" and between 5/8" and 2" high, using contrasting colors.
- Brailled text.
- If a pictogram is used, text must also be used.
There should be a 36" wide path to all parts of the building or to all goods and services. People with disabilities should be able to access the same areas as people without disabilities.
This the amount of space needed for a wheelchair to turn around.
Carpeting can be a tremendous barrier for wheelchair users, people who use canes or crutches, people with balance problems, and people with visual impairments.
Obstacles that are located higher than 27 inches and lower than 80 inches can't be detected by a cane.
The requirements for accessible signage are as follows:
Controls
- Are all controls that are available for use by the general public including electrical, mechanical, windows, cabinets, games, and self-service controls located at an accessible height?
- Are they operable with a closed fist?
Reach ranges: the maximum height for a side reach is 54 inches, for a forward reach 48 inches. The minimum reachable height is 15 inches from the floor.
If so, then they are usable by an individual with limited dexterity.
Seats, Tables, and Counters
- Are the aisles between chairs or tables at least 36 inches wide?
- Are there spaces for wheelchair seating distributed throughout?
- Are the tops of tables or counters between 8 and 34 inches high?
- Are knee spaces at accessible tables at least 27 inches high, 30 inches wide, and 29 inches deep?
This allows for accessible travel within a room.
Spaces for wheelchair seating should be integrated and should provide users with options for seating. Spaces for wheelchair seating should not be lumped together in one area or in the back of the room.
This is the space that is needed for a wheelchair user to approach and use a table or countertop.
This is the amount of space needed for a wheelchair user to sit at a table.
Vertical Circulation
- Are there ramps or elevators to all levels? On each level, if there are stairs between the entrance and or elevators and essential public areas, is there an accessible path of travel?
The accessible path of travel must include moving from level to level.
Stairs
- Do treads have a non-slip surface?
- Do stairs have continuous rails on both sides with extensions beyond the top and bottom stairs?
Treads, or steps, should be constructed with non-slip material or have non-slip surfaces attached.
Rails must be continuous so that they can be held the entire time that someone is using the stairs.
Elevators
- Are there both visible and verbal or audible door opening/closing and floor indicators?
- Are the call buttons in the hallway no higher than 42 inches?
- Do the controls outside and inside the cab have raised and Braille lettering?
- Is there a sign on the jamb at each floor identifying the floor in raised and Braille letters?
- Is the emergency intercom usable without voice communication?
- Are there Braille and raised letter instructions for communication systems?
Indicators must be accessible to visually impaired people as well as people with hearing loss.
Call buttons must be accessible to persons using wheelchairs.
Controls must be accessible to persons with visual impairments.
Tactile signage for persons with visual impairments must be located on each floor. Such signage should be located 60 inches from the floor.
People with speech or hearing impairments must be able to communicate in an emergency situation.
Instructions must be accessible for persons with visual disabilities.
Lifts
- Can the lift be used without assistance? If not, is a call button provided?
- Are there at least 30 by 48 inches of clear space for a person using a wheelchair to approach to reach the control and use the lift?
- Are controls between 15 and 48 inches high (up to 54 inches if a side approach is possible)?
People should be able to operate the lifts without assistance. If this is not possible, assistance should be easily and readily available.
This is the minimum clearance needed to approach the lift.
These are the reach ranges for persons using a wheelchair.