Guidance on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

Subpart D - Title III Regulation private developers to build, own, or lease specific exceptions. In addition, the residen- housing to the educational institution or tial facilities standards do not require acces- to its students. Academic housing may be sible roll-in showers in bathrooms, while the located on the campus of the university or transient lodging requirements require some may be located in nearby neighborhoods. of the accessible units to be served by bath- rooms with roll-in showers. The transient Throughout the school year and the lodging standards also require that a greater summer, academic housing can become number of units have accessible features program areas in which small groups meet, for persons with communication disabilities. receptions and educational sessions are The transient lodging standards provide held, and social activities occur. The abil- for installation of the required accessible ity to move between rooms--both acces- features so that they are available immedi- sible rooms and standard rooms--in order ately, but the residential facilities standards to socialize, to study, and to use all public allow for certain features of the unit to be use and common use areas is an essential adaptable. For example, only reinforce- part of having access to these educational ments for grab bars need to be provided in programs and activities. Academic housing residential dwellings, but the actual grab also is used for short-term transient educa- bars must be installed under the transient tional programs during the time students are lodging standards. By contrast, the residen- not in regular residence and may be rented tial facilities standards do require certain out to transient visitors in a manner similar features that provide greater accessibility to a hotel for special university functions. within units, such as usable kitchens and an accessible route throughout the dwell- The Department was concerned that ing. The residential facilities standards also applying the new construction requirements require 5 percent of the units to be acces- for residential facilities to educational hous- sible to persons with mobility disabilities, ing facilities could hinder access to educa- which is a continuation of the same scoping tional programs for students with disabilities. that is currently required under UFAS and Elevators generally are not required under is therefore applicable to any educational the 2004 ADAAG residential facilities stan- institution that is covered by section 504. dards unless they are needed to provide The transient lodging standards require an accessible route from accessible units a lower percentage of accessible sleep- to public use and common use areas, while ing rooms for facilities with large numbers under the 2004 ADAAG as it applies to other of rooms than is required by UFAS. For types of facilities, multistory private facilities example, if a dormitory has 150 rooms, the must have elevators unless they meet very transient lodging standards would require 7 60 - Guidance on 2010 Standards: Title III Department of Justice