United States · ADA · Illustrated standards guidance
Operable parts: reach ranges and controls
Forward and side reach guidance for accessible controls, switches and other operable parts, including obstructed reaches.
- Publisher
- U.S. Access Board
- Edition
- Access Board guide to the 2010 ADA standards
- Search coverage
- 10 of 10 PDF pages
AccessibilityAnthropometry & ergonomics
Open original PDF at page 8 Source wording and page order preserved. Drawings and table layouts remain available in the original PDF.
Chapter 3: Building Blocks Operable Parts
Side Reach Radius
Elements located in corners can be difficult to reach from a side approach.
Recommendation: Where a side reach is provided, locate elements away from
corners in consideration of the typical reach radius.
approx. 12”
24”
Advisory Reach Range for
Children Max. Reach
44” (9 – 12 yrs)
The standards include advisory
40” (5 – 8 yrs)
(non-mandatory) reach ranges 36” (3 & 4 yrs)
based on children’s dimensions
that can be followed when
operable parts are designed for
use by children. This guidance
provides reach ranges
recommended according to three
Min. Reach
age groups.
20” (3 & 4 yrs)
18” (5 – 8 yrs)
16” (9 – 12 yrs)
8
Edition and local adoption determine which requirements apply. Use the publisher’s document for the complete clauses, diagrams and amendments.