Interpretive Opinions    

An Interpretive Opinion issued by DCAB is clarification of a particular design standard, and only applies to State and County construction projects subject to HRS §103-50.  In May 2011, the Standing Committee on Facility Access ruled on two (2) Interpretive Opinions.

DCAB 2011-21:  One of the following guidelines CABO/ANSI A117.1 (1992), ICC/ANSI A117.1 (1998), or ICC/ANSI A117.1 (2003) may be used in lieu of ANSI A117.1 (1986) where referenced in the Fair Housing Act Accessibility Guidelines.

DCAB 2011-22:  When located within the public right-of-way, diagonal curb ramps with flare sides are required to have a segment of curb 24 inches long minimum located on each side of the curb ramp and marked crossing.

All Interpretive Opinions can be viewed or downloaded at  http://www.state.hi.us/health/dcab/interpretiveops/.  For more information feel free to contact Mona Higa, Facility Access Specialist, by e-mail at  mona.higa@doh.hawaii.gov or phone at 586-8121. 

U.S. Access Board to Issue Proposed Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way     

The Board plans to release for public comment proposed guidelines for public rights-of-way later this summer.  These guidelines will address access to sidewalks, street crossings, and other components of pedestrian networks for people with disabilities, including those with vision impairments.  Through this rulemaking, the Board seeks to establish design criteria for pedestrian access routes, curb ramps and blended transitions, pedestrian signals, on-street parking, street furniture, and other elements that take into account constraints unique to public streets and sidewalks, including space limitations and terrain.  The guidelines are currently under review by the Office of Budget and Management.  If cleared on schedule, the Board anticipates publishing its proposed rule in late July or August.  

Upcoming Webinars and Audio Conferences

Learn more about the ADA Accessibility Guidelines through the U.S. Access Board and DBTAC's continuing series of webinars and audio conferences. General attendance is free, but a $25 fee will be charged for processing CEUs.

     

July 7, 2011 @ 8:30 - 10:00 am: Accessible Hospitals and Other Health Care Facilities  

August 4, 2011 @ 8:30 - 10:00 am: Accessible Health Club and Fitness Facilities   

Sept. 1, 2011 @ 8:30 - 10:00 am: Section 508 - "The Basics"  

 

For more information, please go to: http://www.access-board.gov/webinars.htm.  

First Year Findings on the Accessibility of Playground Surfaces Published  

Do playground surfaces remain accessible for people with disabilities over time?  A research team at the National Center on Accessibility (NCA) at Indiana University is attempting to answer that question.  The first year findings from a longitudinal study on the installation and maintenance of accessible playground surfaces reveal there is no perfect playground surface.  The NCA study, which is being funded by the U.S. Access Board, examined the performance of various types of surfacing materials at 25 newly constructed playgrounds, including poured-in-place rubber, engineered wood fiber, rubber tiles, and hybrid surface systems.  The study was undertaken to collect information helpful to the public in choosing surfacing materials most suitable for playgrounds based on performance, installation, and maintenance considerations.  

The complete first year findings can be viewed at http://www.ncaonline.org/index.php?q=node/1447.  

Q:  What are the ten "safe harbors" for compliance with the Fair Housing Act and where can I find them? 

A:  HUD recognizes ten safe harbors for compliance with the Fair Housing Act's design and construction requirements. They are:

1. HUD Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines published on March 6, 1991 and the Supplemental Notice to Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines: Questions and Answers about the Guidelines, published on June 28, 1994
2. HUD Fair Housing Act Design Manual
3. ANSI A117.1 (1986), used with the Fair Housing Act, HUD's regulations, and the Guidelines
4. CABO/ANSI A117.1 (1992), used with the Fair Housing Act, HUD's regulations, and the Guidelines
5. ICC/ANSI A117.1 (1998), used with the Fair Housing Act, HUD's regulations, and the Guidelines
6. Code Requirements for Housing Accessibility 2000 (CRHA)
7. International Building Code 2000 as amended by the 2001 Supplement to the International Codes
8. International Building Code 2003, with one condition*
9. ICC/ANSI A117.1 - 2003 (Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities)
10. 2006 International Building Code® (loose leaf)

*Effective February 28, 2005 HUD determined that the IBC 2003 is a safe harbor, conditioned upon ICC publishing and distributing a statement to jurisdictions and past and future purchases of the 2003 IBC stating, "ICC interprets Section 1104.1, and specifically, the exception to Section 1104.1, to be read together with Section 1107.4, and that the Code requires an accessible pedestrian route from site arrival points to accessible building entrances, unless site impracticality applies.  Exception 1 to Section 1107.4 is not applicable to site arrival points for any Type B dwelling units because site impracticality is addressed under Section 1107.7."  

HUD's adoption of these standards is found in the Preamble to the Fair Housing Act Design Manual (1998).  Information on how to obtain copies of the above standards is available at http://www.fairhousingfirst.org/faq/safeharbors.html.