Common Sense: Beyond the ADA Building Guidelines
Ingrid Hendrix, M.I.L.S.Health Sciences Library & Informatics CenterUniversity of New MexicoAlbuquerque, NM
Objectives Have a clearer understanding how ADA
Accessibility Guidelines do not address many of the needs of the disabled population.
Give examples of accessible building design.
Give examples of its impact on an individual with a disability.
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My Credentials Disabled since 1981 with muscular dystrophy Wheelchair user since 1997 Cane Forearm crutches Power chair Adapted van Work full time
UNM Accessiblity Services Advisory Committee
UNM Facilities Access Committee Active in community
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Importance of Going Beyond ADA Accessibility Guidelines
It’s not just a good idea, it’s the law: Architectural Barriers Act 1968 Rehab Act 1973 Section 504 American with Disabilities Act 1990 ADA Accessibility Guidelines 1991 ABA & ADAAG Revised 2004
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Importance of Going Beyond ADA Accessibility Guidelines
More people with disabilities 54 million or 21% of the U.S. population Growing wounded veteran population Increasing aging population
Only minority group that anyone can join at any time
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Who needs expanded building guidelines?
Persons with disabilities (PWD) Permanent or temporary
Parents with strollers Students with rolling backpacks Anyone and everyone
People will usually take a ramp, handicapped bathroom stall, curb cut if available – check it out
6Universal Design
Misconceptions
People with disabilities don’t come here
We’ll help them when they come
We can’t afford it
We’ll do it when we renovate
Our architects will take care of it
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Elements of ADA Guidelines to be covered
Parking
Entrances
Bathrooms
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Spot the problemHazard in the way of dismount area
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StancheonsPrevent nasty surprises when you come back to your car
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Spot the problemGravel dismount area, no striping
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Problematic Parking
Enough spaces
Wide striped area for vans Spots on end of rows ideal
Entrances
Push buttons problems
Many don’t work
Often they get turned off – night cleaning
crews need to be informed not to turn
them off
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Spot the problemPush button at head height – not arm level. Or dog nose level.
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New Art & Architecture Building
Spot the problemPush button placed high – difficult to reach – for woman OR beast!
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UNM SUB
Enervating Entrances, continued
No push buttons
Heavy doors
Air locks – have to maneuver through
2 sets of doors
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Spot the ProblemNo push button or sliding doors. Heavy glass doors into the new wing of the hospital right off Lomas.
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Traffic flowPretty, but narrow. And high wall obscures people in wheelchairs coming from the left.
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New Domenici Education Building
Bothersome Bathrooms Heavy doors
Take the NO door approach – UNM Art & Architecture building, most airports
Soap/paper towel dispenser placement and height
Toilet stalls No turning radius Not enough room to get in and close
door
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Spot the problem (bathroom entrance)Air lock to bathroom
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Health Sciences and Service Building
Spot the problemNot enough room to pull open door and back up and door weighs a ton!
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New Domenici Education Building
Spot the problemAutomatic paper towel dispenser too high
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UNM HSSB
Spot the problemPaper towel dispenser lever out of reach
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UNM HSLIC
Spot the problemSoap dispenser out of reach
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UNM HSLIC
Spot the problemTiny locks on bathroom doors
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Spot the problemHook and shelf too high
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UNM HSSB
Bothersome Bathrooms, continued
Grab bars in random, unhelpful places
Light switches out of reach
Toilet paper out of reach
Toilet flush handle on inaccessible side
Trash receptacle – blocks door/button or
paper towel dispenser
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Small stall
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UNM HSLIC
Out and about
Trash cans/planters/ashcans – in front of push button or elevator button – UNM Legal Medical Bookstore – keep getting moved back in front of buttons – should be a standing order with maintenance crews.
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Spot the problemTrash can in front of light switch
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Still out and about
Healthcare facilities – exam & waiting rooms – no space for
wheelchairs – UNM Neurology Clinic, 1209 Clinic
exam tables too high
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Spot the ProblemFoot plates hit the door before I can reach the bar to push and open the door. Requires a long reach.
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UNM SUB
Spot the problemUneven pavement
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UNM HSC Plaza
Spot the problemHave to wheel into traffic to cross to the right
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In front of new UNMH Pavilion
Spot the problemAnother view of the curb problem
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In front of new UNMH Pavilion
Other things to consider, continued
Emergencies Signage – locations of elevators,
accessible entrances, wayfinders
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How to get input
Talk to people with disabilities who use facility
Employees, the public
Conduct focus groups
Hire a person with a disability to do a walk
through of new facilities or be involved in
the planning phase of new construction.
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Be proactive, not reactive
Know requirements www.access-board.gov
Do a barrier audit and plan for removal
Invite people with disabilities to review plan
Review plan with legal counsel
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Be proactive, not reactive, continued
Remove some barriers each year –
using budgeted plan
Maintain reserve account and on
call contracts to make
modifications on demand
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Be proactive, not reactive, continued
Create standards for maintenance and
repair
Snow removal
Elevator downtime
Custodial work orders for keeping
areas free of obstacles – trashcans, etc
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Proactive not reactive, continued
Include ADA requirements in RFPs
Report annual ADA compliance
progress to senior management
Publicize your access!
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Adapted from McGuinness, K. Getting ADA right. Building Operating Management . 2001
A final thought
Accessibility=Inclusion
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Questions?
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A Devilishly Handsome Dog Production
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