Guidance on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

Analysis and Commenta ry o n the 2010 ADAStandards altered in all elevators that are programmed kitchen and dining area, bedroom, bathroom, to respond to the same call button as the and laundry area, where provided, in covered altered elevator. dwelling units with mobility features to be on an accessible route. Where covered dwelling The 2010 Standards, at sections 407.2.1 - units have two or more bedrooms, at least 407.4.7.1.2, also contain exceptions to the two bedrooms are required to be on an technical requirements for elevators when accessible route. existing elevators are altered that minimize the impact of this change. The 2010 Standards at sections 233.3.1.1, 809.1, 809.2, 809.2.1, and 809.4 will require Commenters expressed concerns about all spaces and elements within dwelling units the requirement that when an element in with mobility features to be on an accessible one elevator is altered, the 2010 Standards, route. These changes exempt unfinished at section 206.6.1, will require the same attics and unfinished basements from the element to be altered in all elevators accessible route requirement. Section that are programmed to respond to the 233.3.5 of the 2010 Standards also includes same call button as the altered elevator. an exception to the dispersion requirement Commenters noted that such a requirement that permits accessible single-story dwelling is burdensome and will result in costly efforts units to be constructed, where multi-story without significant benefit to individuals with dwelling units are one of the types of units disabilities. provided. The Department believes that this Location of Accessible Routes. Section requirement is necessary to ensure that when 4.3.2(1) of the 1991 Standards requires an individual with a disability presses a call accessible routes connecting site arrival button, an accessible elevator will arrive. points and accessible building entrances Without this requirement, individuals with to coincide with general circulation paths, disabilities would have to wait unnecessarily to the maximum extent feasible. The 2010 for an accessible elevator to make its way Standards require all accessible routes to to them arbitrarily. The Department also coincide with or be located in the same believes that the effort required to meet general area as general circulation paths. this provision is minimal in the majority of Additionally, a new provision specifies that situations because it is typical to upgrade all where a circulation path is interior, the of the elevators in a bank at the same time. required accessible route must also be located in the interior of the facility. The Accessible Routes in Dwelling Units with change affects a limited number of buildings. Mobility Features. Sections 4.34.1 and Section 206.3 of the 2010 Standards requires 4.34.2 of the UFAS require the living area, all accessible routes to coincide with or 84 - Guidance on the 2010 Standards: Titles II and III Department of Justice