Architect and Contractor

Architect and Contractor Toolkit

Updated Feb 24, 2010
For a basic or advanced understanding of facility accessibility, codes, technical standards and useful tools for evaluating a building's accessibility see...

Accessibility Checklists and 3D Drawings

International Building Code and ICC/ANSI

Accessibility in State Building Codes

Fair Housing Act – Accessibility

ADA Accessibility Guidelines

Access Board and ADA Standards

ADA Accessibility Quick Links

ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) (As amended through September 2002). 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.
Using ADAAG (Technical Bulletin - US Access Board)
ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (July 2004)
Editorial Corrections (Aug 2005)
Supplement on ADA and ABA Standards (March 2007)
When will the updated ADAAG take effect?
Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) (1984)
Common ADA Errors and Omissions in New Construction and Alterations

ADA Standards

Department of Justice ADA Standards
ADA Regulation for Title III. The Department of Justice regulation implementing title III of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in "places of public accommodation" (businesses and non-profit agencies that serve the public) and "commercial facilities" (other businesses). The regulation includes Appendix A to Part 36 - Standards for Accessible Design establishing minimum standards for ensuring accessibility when designing and constructing a new facility or altering an existing facility.
Department of Transportation ADA Standards for Transportation Facilities
Title 49: Transportation. Part 37—Transportation Services for Individuals with Disabilities (ADA). 49 CFR part 37. Appendix A to Part 37—Modifications to Standards for Accessible Transportation Facilities. The Department of Transportation, in §37.9 of this part, adopts as its regulatory standards for accessible transportation facilities the revised Americans with Disabilities Act Guidelines (ADAGG) issued by the Access Board on July 23, 2004.

Accessibility Checklists and 3D Drawings

Department of Justice - The Americans with Disabilities Act Checklist for Existing Facilities – Version 2.1 - 1995
This checklist will help you identify accessibility problems and solutions in existing facilities in order to meet your obligations under the ADA. The requirements are presented here as a guide to help you determine what may be readily achievable barrier removal for existing facilities.
DBTAC-Northwest Accessibility Checklist – revised 2008
Access Board - ADAAG Checklist for Buildings and Facilities - October 1992
This checklist is based on ADAAG as published in 1991
3D (Three Dimensional) Drawings
Color drawings on multiple aspects of accessible features in buildings. Supplied by Earl Fullingim.

Supplements to ADAAG

Note: These guidelines have not been incorporated in the Department of Justice accessibility standards and are, therefore, not enforceable.
State and Local Government Facilities (1998)
Building Elements Designed for Children's Use (1998)
Play Areas (2000)
Recreation Facilities(2002)

Public Rights-of-Way

Revised Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way (Access Board (2005)
Special Report: Accessible Public Rights-of-Way Planning and Design for Alterations (2007)
Planning and Funding Accessible Pedestrian Facilities - Institute of Transportation Engineers
Public Rights of Way - Guidance and Additional Resources - Access Board

Transportation

Upcoming Guidelines

United States Access Board

The Access Board is an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. Created in 1973 to ensure access to federally funded facilities, the Board is now a leading source of information on accessible design.
Technical Assistance – Access Board
(800) 872-2253 (voice)
(800) 993-2822 (TTY), weekdays 10 - 5:30 EST (Wed. 10 - 2)
E-mail: ta@access-board.gov
fax: (202) 272-0081

International Building Code and ICC/ANSI A117.1 Standard

International Code Council (ICC) - Accessibility Resources

International Code Council (ICC)- Accessibility Community of Interest

2006 International Building Code (2006 IBC)

Chapter 11 of the 2006 IBC addresses accessibility and references the ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities-2003.
Here are the sections and topics covered Chapter 11 - Accessibility
- Section - Topic
- 1101 - General
- 1102 - Definitions
- 1103 - Scoping Requirements
- 1104 - Accessible Route
- 1105 - Accessible Entrances
- 1106 - Parking and Passenger Loading Facilities
- 1107 - Dwelling Units and Sleeping Units
- 1108 - Special Occupancies
- 1109 - Other Features and Facilities
- 1110 - Signage
Other relevant chapters of the 2006 IBC
- Chapter 10 - Means of Egress - Section 1007 - Accessible Means of Egress
- Chapter 34 - Existing Structures - Section 3409 - Accessibility of Existing Structures

ICC/ANSI A117.1 - Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities

A nationally recognized standard of technical requirements for making buildings accessible. The most recent edition is 2003.

Comparison Matrix of ADA guidelines to 2006 IBC

Comparing accessibility standards to the International Building Code (IBC) is easier with this free reference from the International Code Council. The new 2006 IBC/ADAAG Comparison compares three accessibility resources: the 2004 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities; the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG); and the 2006 IBC, which references the ICC/ANSI A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities-2003.

ICC Quick Contact Information

Phone: 888-ICC-SAFE (422-7233)

Accessibility Requirements in State Building Codes for WA, OR, ID and AK

Note: The Northwest ADA Center makes every effort to provide current, accurate code adoption information, but in some cases jurisdictions do not notify the Northwest ADA Center of adoptions, amendments or changes to their codes.

To ensure you have accurate information, please contact the state and/or local jurisdiction directly.

Alaska: 2003 International Building Code
Washington, Oregon, and Idaho: 2006 International Building Code

Washington

Oregon

Oregon's code is available for free on-line viewing.
2007 Oregon Structural Specialty Code: Chapter 11 - Accessibility

Click on "Chapter 11 – Accessibility" in the menu on the right. Be patient, this is large 4.7MB file so it may take a view minutes to load). The files found on this site are in a read only format and are not available for printing.

Idaho

Alaska

Alaska ADA Coordinator's Office
Offers technical assistance and guidance to the public on the accessibility of buildings and facilities for individuals with disabilities as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.
Alaska Statute 35.10.015. Accessibility of Public Buildings and Facilities(State Bldgs ADOT)
Alaska State Building Code

Fair Housing Act Accessibility Resources

Fair Housing Act - Disability Rights and Resources
For answers to frequently asked questions on the housing rights of people with disabilities and the responsibilities of housing providers and building and design professionals under federal law.
Fair Housing Act – Building and Design Professionals
For information on the physical accessibility requirements for private and federally-assisted housing and HUD Review of Model Building Codes.
Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST
Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST is an initiative designed to promote compliance with the Fair Housing Act design and construction requirements. The program offers comprehensive and detailed instruction programs, useful online web resources, and a toll-free information line for technical guidance and support.
Fair Housing Act Design Manual (April 1998)
First published in 1996, the Fair Housing Act Design Manual: A Manual to Assist Designers and Builders in Meeting the Accessibility Requirements of The Fair Housing Act provides clear and helpful guidance about ways to design and construct housing which complies with the Fair Housing Act.