Common Sense: Beyond the ADA Building Guidelines

Ingrid Hendrix, M.I.L.S.Health Sciences Library & Informatics CenterUniversity of New MexicoAlbuquerque, NM

Objectives Have a clearer understanding how ADA

Accessibility Guidelines do not address many of the needs of the disabled population.

Give examples of accessible building design.

Give examples of its impact on an individual with a disability.

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My Credentials Disabled since 1981 with muscular dystrophy Wheelchair user since 1997 Cane Forearm crutches Power chair Adapted van Work full time

UNM Accessiblity Services Advisory Committee

UNM Facilities Access Committee Active in community

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Importance of Going Beyond ADA Accessibility Guidelines

It’s not just a good idea, it’s the law: Architectural Barriers Act 1968 Rehab Act 1973 Section 504 American with Disabilities Act 1990 ADA Accessibility Guidelines 1991 ABA & ADAAG Revised 2004

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Importance of Going Beyond ADA Accessibility Guidelines

More people with disabilities 54 million or 21% of the U.S. population Growing wounded veteran population Increasing aging population

Only minority group that anyone can join at any time

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Who needs expanded building guidelines?

Persons with disabilities (PWD) Permanent or temporary

Parents with strollers Students with rolling backpacks Anyone and everyone

People will usually take a ramp, handicapped bathroom stall, curb cut if available – check it out

6Universal Design

Misconceptions

People with disabilities don’t come here

We’ll help them when they come

We can’t afford it

We’ll do it when we renovate

Our architects will take care of it

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Elements of ADA Guidelines to be covered

Parking

Entrances

Bathrooms

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Spot the problemHazard in the way of dismount area

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StancheonsPrevent nasty surprises when you come back to your car

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Spot the problemGravel dismount area, no striping

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Problematic Parking

Enough spaces

Wide striped area for vans Spots on end of rows ideal

Entrances

Push buttons problems

Many don’t work

Often they get turned off – night cleaning

crews need to be informed not to turn

them off

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Spot the problemPush button at head height – not arm level. Or dog nose level.

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New Art & Architecture Building

Spot the problemPush button placed high – difficult to reach – for woman OR beast!

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UNM SUB

Enervating Entrances, continued

No push buttons

Heavy doors

Air locks – have to maneuver through

2 sets of doors

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Spot the ProblemNo push button or sliding doors. Heavy glass doors into the new wing of the hospital right off Lomas.

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Traffic flowPretty, but narrow. And high wall obscures people in wheelchairs coming from the left.

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New Domenici Education Building

Bothersome Bathrooms Heavy doors

Take the NO door approach – UNM Art & Architecture building, most airports

Soap/paper towel dispenser placement and height

Toilet stalls No turning radius Not enough room to get in and close

door

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Spot the problem (bathroom entrance)Air lock to bathroom

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Health Sciences and Service Building

Spot the problemNot enough room to pull open door and back up and door weighs a ton!

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New Domenici Education Building

Spot the problemAutomatic paper towel dispenser too high

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UNM HSSB

Spot the problemPaper towel dispenser lever out of reach

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UNM HSLIC

Spot the problemSoap dispenser out of reach

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UNM HSLIC

Spot the problemTiny locks on bathroom doors

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Spot the problemHook and shelf too high

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UNM HSSB

Bothersome Bathrooms, continued

Grab bars in random, unhelpful places

Light switches out of reach

Toilet paper out of reach

Toilet flush handle on inaccessible side

Trash receptacle – blocks door/button or

paper towel dispenser

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Small stall

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UNM HSLIC

Out and about

Trash cans/planters/ashcans – in front of push button or elevator button – UNM Legal Medical Bookstore – keep getting moved back in front of buttons – should be a standing order with maintenance crews.

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Spot the problemTrash can in front of light switch

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Still out and about

Healthcare facilities – exam & waiting rooms – no space for

wheelchairs – UNM Neurology Clinic, 1209 Clinic

exam tables too high

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Spot the ProblemFoot plates hit the door before I can reach the bar to push and open the door. Requires a long reach.

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UNM SUB

Spot the problemUneven pavement

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UNM HSC Plaza

Spot the problemHave to wheel into traffic to cross to the right

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In front of new UNMH Pavilion

Spot the problemAnother view of the curb problem

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In front of new UNMH Pavilion

Other things to consider, continued

Emergencies Signage – locations of elevators,

accessible entrances, wayfinders

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How to get input

Talk to people with disabilities who use facility

Employees, the public

Conduct focus groups

Hire a person with a disability to do a walk

through of new facilities or be involved in

the planning phase of new construction.

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Be proactive, not reactive

Know requirements www.access-board.gov

Do a barrier audit and plan for removal

Invite people with disabilities to review plan

Review plan with legal counsel

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Be proactive, not reactive, continued

Remove some barriers each year –

using budgeted plan

Maintain reserve account and on

call contracts to make

modifications on demand

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Be proactive, not reactive, continued

Create standards for maintenance and

repair

Snow removal

Elevator downtime

Custodial work orders for keeping

areas free of obstacles – trashcans, etc

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Proactive not reactive, continued

Include ADA requirements in RFPs

Report annual ADA compliance

progress to senior management

Publicize your access!

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Adapted from McGuinness, K. Getting ADA right. Building Operating Management . 2001

A final thought

Accessibility=Inclusion

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Questions?

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A Devilishly Handsome Dog Production