Guidance on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

Analysis and Commenta ry o n the 2010 ADAStandards person needing assistance from a person of A commenter objected to the scoping the opposite sex can lock the door to use the provision for accessible washing machines facility while temporarily inconveniencing only and clothes dryers stating that the probability one other potential user. These provisions is low that more than one accessible machine strike a reasonable balance and impose less would be needed at the same time in the impact on covered entities. laundry facility of a place of transient lodging. A commenter recommended that in shower The scoping in this provision is based on the compartments rectangular seats as provided relative size of the facility. The Department in section 610.3.1 of the 2010 Standards assumes that the size of the facility (and, should not be permitted as a substitute for therefore, the number of accessible machines L-shaped seats as provided in 610.3.2. provided) will be determined by the covered entity’s assessment of the demand for The 2010 Standards do not indicate a laundry facilities. The Department declines preference for either rectangular or L-shaped to assume that persons with disabilities seats in shower compartments. L-shaped will have less use for accessible facilities seats in transfer and certain roll-in showers in transient lodging than in other public have been used for many years to provide accommodations. users with poor balance additional support because they can position themselves in the 216 and 703 Signs corner while showering. The following types of signs, though they 214 and 611 Washing Machines and are not specifically subject to the 1991 Clothes Dryers Standards requirement for signs, will now be explicitly exempted by sections 216 and Sections 214.2 (washing machines) and 703 of the 2010 Standards. These types of 214.3 (clothes dryers) of the 2010 Standards signs include: seat and row designations in specify the number of each type of these assembly areas; occupant names, building machines required to be accessible (one addresses; company names and logos; signs to two depending upon the total number of in parking facilities (except those identifying machines provided) and section 611 specifies accessible parking spaces and means the technical requirements. An exception will of egress); and exterior signs identifying permit the maximum height for the tops of permanent rooms and spaces that are not these machines to be 2 inches higher than located at the door to the space they serve. the general requirement for maximum high This requirement also clarifies that the reach over an obstruction. exception for temporary signs applies to signs used for seven days or less. 106 - Guidance on the 2010 Standards: Titles II and III Department of Justice