Guidance on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

Analysis and Com menta ry on the 201 0 A DAStandards Accessible Practice Putting Greens, golf holes. Commenters opposed to this Practice Teeing Grounds, and Teeing change argued that allowing any breaks Stations at Driving Ranges. Section in the sequence of accessible holes at a 238.3 of the 2010 Standards requires that miniature golf course would disrupt the flow five percent (5%) but at least one of each of play for persons with disabilities and of practice putting greens, practice teeing create a less socially integrated experience. grounds, and teeing stations at driving ranges A commenter noted that multiple breaks in must permit golf cars to enter and exit. sequence would not necessarily guarantee the provision of access to holes that are most 239 and 1007 Miniature Golf Facilities representative of those with landscaping, water elements, or a fantasy-like experience. Accessible Route to Miniature Golf Course Holes. Sections 206.2.16, 239.3, and 1007.2 The Department has decided to retain the of the 2010 Standards require an accessible exception without change. Comments did route to connect accessible miniature golf not provide a sufficient basis on which to course holes and the last accessible hole on conclude that allowing multiple breaks in the course directly to the course entrance the sequence of accessible holes would or exit. Accessible holes are required to be necessarily increase integration of accessible consecutive with an exception permitting one holes with unique features of miniature golf break in the sequence of consecutive holes courses. Some designs of accessible holes provided that the last hole on the miniature with multiple breaks in the sequence might golf course is the last hole in the sequence. provide equivalent facilitation where persons with disabilities gain access to landscaping, Many commenters supported expanding water or theme elements not otherwise the exception from one to multiple breaks represented in a consecutive configuration in the sequence of accessible holes. One of accessible holes. A factor that might commenter noted that permitting accessible contribute to equivalent facilitation would holes with breaks in sequence would enable be an accessible route designed to bring customers with disabilities to enjoy the persons with disabilities to a unique feature, landscaping, water and theme elements of such as a waterfall, that would otherwise not the miniature golf course. Another commenter be served by an accessible route connecting wrote in favor of allowing multiple breaks in consecutive accessible holes. accessible holes with a connecting accessible route. Specified exceptions are permitted for accessible route requirements when located Other commenters objected to allowing on the playing surfaces near holes. multiple breaks in the sequence of miniature Department of Justice Guidance on the 2010 Standards: Titles II and III - 157