Guidance on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design

Analysis and Commenta ry o n the 2010 ADAStandards should take into consideration the increased is examining airport terminal accessibility use of three-wheeled scooters and some as part of an ongoing effort to facilitate larger wheelchairs. The Department is aware accessibility and promote effective design. that the use of three-wheeled scooters and As part of these efforts, the Access Board will larger wheelchairs may be increasing and examine requirements for accessible toilet that some of these devices may require compartments in larger airport restrooms. changes in space requirements in the future. The Department declines to change the The Access Board is funding research to scoping for accessible toilet compartments at obtain data that may be used to develop this time. design guidelines that provide access to individuals using these mobility devices. Ambulatory Accessible Toilet 213, 603, 604, and 608 Toilet and Bathing Compartments. Section 213.3.1 of the 2010 Facilities, Rooms, and Compartments Standards requires multi-user men’s toilet rooms, where the total of toilet compartments General. Where toilet facilities and bathing and urinals is six or more, to contain at least facilities are provided, they must comply with one ambulatory accessible compartment. section 213 of the 2010 Standards. The 1991 Standards count only toilet stalls (compartments) for this purpose. The 2010 A commenter recommended that all Standards establish parity between multi- accessible toilet facilities, toilet rooms, and user women’s toilet rooms and multi-user compartments should be required to have men’s toilet rooms with respect to ambulatory signage indicating that such spaces are accessible toilet compartments. restricted solely for the use of individuals with disabilities. The Department believes Urinals. Men’s toilet rooms with only one that it is neither necessary nor appropriate to urinal will no longer be required to provide an restrict the use of accessible toilet facilities. accessible urinal under the 2010 Standards. Like many other facilities designed to be Such toilet rooms will still be required to accessible, accessible toilet facilities can and provide an accessible toilet compartment. do serve a wide range of individuals with and Commenters urged that the exception be without disabilities. eliminated. The Department believes that this change will provide flexibility to many A commenter recommended that more than small businesses and it does not alter the one wheelchair accessible compartment be requirement that all common use restrooms provided in toilet rooms serving airports and must be accessible. train stations because these compartments are likely to be occupied by individuals with Multiple Single-User Toilet Rooms. Where luggage and persons with disabilities often multiple single-user toilet rooms are clustered take longer to use them. The Access Board in a single location, fifty percent (50%), 92 - Guidance on the 2010 Standards: Titles II and III Department of Justice