United States · ADA · Accessibility standard
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
The Department of Justice’s scoping and technical accessibility requirements for facilities covered by the ADA.
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- U.S. Department of Justice
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- 2010 standards
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- 279 of 279 PDF pages · 2 OCR pages
AccessibilityAnthropometry & ergonomics
Open original PDF at page 83 Source wording and page order preserved. Drawings and table layouts remain available in the original PDF.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: SCOPING ADA CHAPTER 2: SCOPING REQUIREMENTS
Advisory 221.2.1.3 Other Boxes. The provision for seating in “other boxes” includes box
seating provided in facilities such as performing arts auditoria where tiered boxes are
designed for spatial and acoustical purposes. The number of wheelchair spaces required in
boxes covered by 221.2.1.3 is calculated based on the total number of seats provided in
these other boxes. The resulting number of wheelchair spaces must be located in no fewer
than 20% of the boxes covered by this section. For example, a concert hall has 20 boxes,
each of which contains 10 seats, totaling 200 seats. In this example, 5 wheelchair spaces
would be required, and they must be placed in at least 4 of the boxes. Additionally, because
the wheelchair spaces must also meet the dispersion requirements of 221.2.3, the boxes
containing these wheelchair spaces cannot all be located in one area unless an exception to
the dispersion requirements applies.
221.2.1.4 Team or Player Seating. At least one wheelchair space complying with 802.1 shall
be provided in team or player seating areas serving areas of sport activity.
EXCEPTION: Wheelchair spaces shall not be required in team or player seating areas
serving bowling lanes not required to comply with 206.2.11.
221.2.2 Integration. Wheelchair spaces shall be an integral part of the seating plan.
Advisory 221.2.2 Integration. The requirement that wheelchair spaces be an “integral part
of the seating plan” means that wheelchair spaces must be placed within the footprint of the
seating area. Wheelchair spaces cannot be segregated from seating areas. For example, it
would be unacceptable to place only the wheelchair spaces, or only the wheelchair spaces
and their associated companion seats, outside the seating areas defined by risers in an
assembly area.
221.2.3 Lines of Sight and Dispersion. Wheelchair spaces shall provide lines of sight complying
with 802.2 and shall comply with 221.2.3. In providing lines of sight, wheelchair spaces shall be
dispersed. Wheelchair spaces shall provide spectators with choices of seating locations and viewing
angles that are substantially equivalent to, or better than, the choices of seating locations and
viewing angles available to all other spectators. When the number of wheelchair spaces required by
221.2.1 has been met, further dispersion shall not be required.
EXCEPTION: Wheelchair spaces in team or player seating areas serving areas of sport activity
shall not be required to comply with 221.2.3.
Advisory 221.2.3 Lines of Sight and Dispersion. Consistent with the overall intent of the
ADA, individuals who use wheelchairs must be provided equal access so that their
experience is substantially equivalent to that of other members of the audience. Thus, while
individuals who use wheelchairs need not be provided with the best seats in the house,
neither may they be relegated to the worst.
221.2.3.1 Horizontal Dispersion. Wheelchair spaces shall be dispersed horizontally.
EXCEPTIONS: 1. Horizontal dispersion shall not be required in assembly areas with 300 or
fewer seats if the companion seats required by 221.3 and wheelchair spaces are located
within the 2nd or 3rd quartile of the total row length. Intermediate aisles shall be included in
Department of Justice 2010 Standards: Titles II and III - 4779
Titles II and III - 2010 Standards - 49
Edition and local adoption determine which requirements apply. Use the publisher’s document for the complete clauses, diagrams and amendments.