Department of Defense Adopts New ABA Standards
The Department of Defense (DOD) recently adopted new accessibility standards under the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), which requires access to federally funded facilities. The standards apply to military and other facilities under DOD's jurisdiction. According to a department memorandum issued on October 31, 2008, the new standards take effect immediately for projects and leasing actions, though projects before FY 2010 are required to comply to the maximum extent feasible.
More information about the DOD Standards and memorandum can be found at: www.access-board.gov/news/dod-standards.htm.
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Homeless Shelter Settlement Agreement Between The United States of America and the District of Columbia Under the Americans with Disabilities Act
On December 12, 2008, the Justice Department (the Department) entered into a settlement agreement with the District of Columbia (the District) resolving its investigation into the accessibility of the District's homeless shelter program to individuals with disabilities under title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Department initiated an investigation of the District's shelter program after receiving individual complaints alleging widespread ADA violations in the program.
The Department surveyed fifteen Shelters, including ten Shelters that the District identified as accessible to individuals with disabilities. The Department's survey uncovered numerous violations of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. A few of the violations included doors with less than 32" of clear width, completely inaccessible toilet rooms, no visual fire alarm in rooms covered by an audible fire alarm, van accessible parking spaces that were not identified as "van accessible", and running slope of ramps that exceeded 8.3%. For a complete list of violations go to the following website: www.ada.gov/dc_shelteratt1.htm.
Part of the Settlement Agreement requires the District to draft an interim and comprehensive physical access plan for the Shelter Program. The Comprehensive Plan must detail the steps the District will take to ensure that existing Shelters are modified, or that new Shelters are created in compliance with the ADA Standards, so that individuals with physical disabilities have access to Shelters that are at least equivalent to those available to individuals who do not have physical disabilities.
For the entire Settlement Agreement go to the following website: www.ada.gov/dc_shelter.htm#settlement.
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Patrolia Loft Receives Design Award for Housing Accessibility
The Patrolia Loft by Ruhl Walker Architects received the 2008 AIA/HUD Secretary's Housing and Community Design Award for Housing Accessibility. The purpose of the award for housing accessibility is to show exemplary projects that demonstrate excellence in improving housing accessibility for people with disabilities. Patrolia Loft is an interior fit-out of an existing concrete-shell apartment for a wheelchair user. The jury noted the project's "beautiful meshing of accessibility and architecture."
More information about the 2008 AIA/HUD Secretary's Awards can be found at:
http://www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek08/0627/0627d_hud.cfm
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FAQ - ADAAG
4.24 Sinks
Q: How are the provisions of 4.24 sinks applied?
A: The technical provisions for sinks at section 4.24 are not scoped in ADAAG. This means that the technical provisions serve only as guidance, not requirements. The Department of Justice rules generally require that new facilities be accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. In the absence of specific scoping provisions, the provisions of 4.24 can be the best guidance available, however designers are not precluded from developing their own technical provisions that provide access. Sinks that comply with the side reach ranges specified in ADAAG 4.2.6 may be acceptable in cases where they are for incidental use and where they are usable by right or left handed persons.
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