Architectural Accessibility

Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines 1994 (Old ADAAG)
This document contains scoping and technical requirements for accessibility to buildings and facilities by individuals with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. These scoping and technical requirements are to be applied during the design, construction, and alteration of buildings and facilities covered by titles II and III of the ADA to the extent required by regulations issued by Federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Department of Transportation, under the ADA.

ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities. 2004 (New ADAAG)
The Board’s guidelines serve as the baseline for standards used to enforce the ADA and the ABA. These standards, which are maintained by other Federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Justice under the ADA, will be updated according to the new guidelines. It is these standards, not the Board’s guidelines, that the public must follow.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines Manual.
This 143-page manual was published by the ATBCB. The manual provides guidance in interpreting Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines provisions that have been the subject of the most questions and confusion. Order this document from the DLRP. If you do not live in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico or Arkansas, please call (713) 520-0232 (v) or (713) 520-5136 (TTY).

A Guide to the New ADA-ABA Accessibility Guidelines (ATBCB) 2004.
On July 23, 2004, the U.S. Access Board, an independent Federal agency, issued updated accessibility guidelines for new or altered facilities covered by Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act. These guidelines address a wide range of facilities in the private and public sectors. Presented here is an overview of the new guidelines that also highlights significant changes.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines Checklist for Buildings and Facilities (ATBCB) 91 pgs. 1992. This checklist has been prepared to assist individuals and entities with rights or duties under Title II and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in applying the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) to buildings and facilities subject to the law.

About the Architectural Barriers Act and Other Disability Rights Laws (ATBCB)
The Architectural Barriers Act requires access to facilities designed, built or altered with Federal dollars or leased by Federal agencies.

Accessible Stadiums (DOJ) 2 pgs.
This document highlights key accessibility requirements of the ADA that apply to new stadiums.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines; Detectable Warnings (DOJ) 7pgs. 1998
This document contains the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board statement that they are continuing the suspension of the requirements for detectable warnings at curb ramps, hazardous vehicular areas, and reflecting pool edges in the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and the Standards for Accessible Design.

Americans With Disabilities Act Accessibility Requirement (ATBCB) 1991.
Chart-based view on the accessibility requirements of the ADA.

Americans with Disabilities Act Design Guide 1: Re-striping Parking Lots (DOJ), 2 pgs.
This ADA Design Guide provides key information about how to create accessible car and van spaces and how many spaces to provide when parking lots are re-striped.

Americans with Disabilities Act Updates: Barrier Removal & Accessible Parking
(DOJ) 22 pgs. This document provides additional informal guidance in understanding the ADA regulations regarding accessible parking.

ATBCB Bulletin #2: Visual Alarms (ATBCB) 4 pgs. 1994
This Bulletin was developed to provide additional informal guidance on visual alarms as required by the ADA Accessibility Guidelines.

ATBCB Bulletin #3: Using Text Telephones Technical Bulletin (ATBCB) 2001
Machinery or equipment that employs interactive graphic (i.e., typed) communications through the transmission of coded signals across the standard telephone network. Text telephones can include, for example, devices known as TDDs (telecommunications display devices or telecommunications devices for deaf persons) or computers.

ATBCB Bulletin #4: Surfaces (ATBCB) 4 pgs. 1994
Guide provides information on what is required for an accessible route surface.

ATBCB Bulletin #5: Using Americans with Disabilities Act AG (ATBCB) 4 pgs. 1993
This Bulletin was developed to serve the specific needs of architects and other design professionals who must apply the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) to new construction and alterations projects covered by titles II and III of the ADA. It is also intended to clarify accessibility regulations generally, including those that apply to existing facilities covered by the ADA.

ATBCB Bulletin #6: Parking (ATBCB) 4 pgs. 1994
Guide provides information about how to create accessible parking spaces.

Building Elements Designed for Children's Use (ATBCB) 6 pgs. 1998
This document contains guidelines based on children's dimensions for newly constructed and altered children's facilities. The section would ensure that newly constructed and altered children's facilities are readily accessible to and usable by children with disabilities. The Department of Justice proposes to amend its regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by adding to its Standards for Accessible Design the special application section for children's facilities proposed by the Access Board.

Checklist for Readily Achievable Barrier Removal (NIDRR/DOE), 15 pgs. 1995
This checklist will assist in identifying accessibility problems and solutions in existing facilities in order to meet obligations under the ADA.

Clarification and Interpretation of the ADA Signage Requirements - (1993) a white paper by the Society for Environmental Graphic Design. It is intended to assist designers from all disciplines, their clients, sign manufacturers, building owners and facility managers by providing clarification and interpretation of the regulations with regard to signage requirements.

Outdoor Developed Areas (ATBCB)
This rulemaking covers access to trails, beaches, and picnic and camping areas and will supplement ADAAG by adding a new chapter on outdoor developed areas. The guidelines will provide new construction and alteration scoping and technical criteria and addresses unique constraints specific to outdoor environments.

Play Area Guidelines (ATBCB)
Final guidelines for accessible play areas.

Public Rights-of-Way (ATBCB)
This rulemaking covers access to public rights-of-way sidewalks, street crossings, and related pedestrian facilities. Guidelines will be developed for public rights-of-way subject to the ADA or the ABA. The guidelines will cover new construction and alterations and address issues and constraints unique to this environment.

Recreation Facilities (ATBCB)
This rulemaking covers various recreation facilities, including amusement rides, boating facilities, fishing piers and platforms, golf courses, miniature golf, sports facilities, swimming pools and spas. It provides both scoping requirements, which specify what has to be accessible, and technical requirements, which spell out how access is to be achieved. These guidelines will supplement ADAAG, which addresses a wide range of facilities but does not cover these types of recreation facilities in any particular detail.

Summaries of Accessibility Guidelines for Recreation Facilities (ATBCB)
Summaries of guidelines include: Amusement Rides, Boating Facilities, Fishing Piers and Platforms, Golf Courses, Sporting Facilities, and Swimming Pools and Spas

Tech Sheet Series: Lavatories & Mirrors (NIDRR/DOE) 6 pgs. 1995
Order this document from the DLRP. If you do not live in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico or Arkansas, please call (713) 520-0232 (v) or (713) 520-5136 (TTY).

Tech Sheet Series: Medical Care Facilities (NIDRR/DOE) 10 pgs. 1993
Order this document from the DLRP. If you do not live in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico or Arkansas, please call (713) 520-0232 (v) or (713) 520-5136 (TTY).

Tech Sheet Series: Doors (NIDRR/DOE) 14 pgs. 1995
Order this document from the DLRP. If you do not live in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico or Arkansas, please call (713) 520-0232 (v) or (713) 520-5136 (TTY).

Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) (DOJ) 90 pgs. 1984
This document sets standards for facility accessibility by physically disabled persons for Federal and federally-funded facilities. These standards are to be applied during the design, construction, and alteration of buildings and facilities to the extent required by the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as amended.

Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards Checklist (Title II) (DOJ) 46 pgs. 1990
The purpose of this workbook is to enable people to survey buildings for compliance with the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS). UFAS defines environments which are safe, accessible and usable by people of all ages and abilities.

National Center on Accessibility Monographs - the National Center on Accessibility is the nation’s premiere resource promoting access for people with disabilities in recreation.

Issue 1, Fall 2001 - Trail Surfaces: What Do I Need to Know Now?
Issue 2, Summer 2002 - Effective Communication in Parks and Recreation
Issue 3, Spring 2002 - What are Alternative Formats? How Do They Apply to Programs and Services?
Issue 4, Summer 2002 - Accessible Picnic Tables: Requirements and Recommendations
Issue 5, Summer 2002 - Campground Accessibility: Issues and Recommendations
Issue 6, Fall 2001 - The Star Spangled Banner Exhibit is "Making the Grade" at the American History Museum
Issue 7, Spring 2002 - Principles for Adapting Activities in Recreation Programs and Settings
Issue 8, Fall 2002 - What is an Accessible Trail?
Issue 9, Summer 2003 - Providing Access to Beaches
Issue 10, Fall 2003 - Golf: An Update on the Movement Toward Full Inclusion of People with Disabilities
Issue 11, Winter 2004 - Funding Accessibility Projects: In Search of the Money Tree
Issue 12, Spring 2004 - Making A Splash: Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Aquatic Venues
Issue 13, Fall 2004 - What to Know Before You Go:The Big Questions to Ask Before Arriving at Your "Accessible" Recreation Destination
Issue 14, Fall 2004 - You're Here….Now What? Making Self-Advocacy Work For You in Recreation Settings
Issue 15, Fall 2004 - Opportunity Knocking:Public Input Can Affect Revision to ADA Design Standards
Issue 16, Spring 2005 - Challenge Course Operations for Including People with Disabilities
Issue 17, Spring 2005 - Becoming a Resilient Family: Child Disability and the Family System
Issue 18, Spring 2005 - Living Well in 2005! The Benefits of Leisure for People with Disabilities
Issue 19, Winter 2005 - Best Practice of Inclusive Services: The Value of Inclusion

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