Revised Design Standards for the 

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)  

 

On July 29, 2010, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) turned 20.  On September 15, 2010, the Department of Justice issued revised regulations that set minimum requirements for newly designed and constructed or altered state and local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities. The revised Standards are effective on March 15, 2011 and the compliance date is March 15, 2012.

   

Following is a summary of some of the recreational and site-related changes in the 2010

Standards: 

 

Access  

• The 2010 Standards require at least 60% of public entrances to be accessible.  
• All accessible routes (interior and exterior) must be located in the same general area as general circulation paths.  

• Where levels in a parking garage have direct connections to another facility, all of these direct entrances must now be accessible.   

• An accessible route must adjoin each access aisle serving accessible parking spaces and the accessible route must connect each access aisle to accessible entrances. 
• The required number of van accessible spaces has been increased from one in eight, under the 1991 Standards, to one in six.  

 Boating 

• Recreational boating facilities and fishing piers are now subject to the ADA Standards. 
• Accessible boat slips must be dispersed throughout the various types of boat slips.  
• At boat launch ramps, at least 5% of boarding piers (but no fewer than one) must be accessible.  
• At least 25% of guardrails or handrails must be no higher than 34 inches and must be dispersed.  

• Clear floor or ground space must be provided at each accessible railing, and turning space must be provided on the pier.

Golf   

• Newly constructed and altered golf facilities must have either an accessible route or golf cart passages connecting accessible elements and spaces within the boundary of the golf course.  

• One or two teeing grounds (depending on the total number provided) per hole must be accessible.  
• If weather shelters are provided, a golf cart must be able to enter and exit the shelters.  
• Certain percentages of practice teeing grounds, practice teeing stations at driving ranges, and putting greens must be accessible.   
• The Standards also apply to miniature golf facilities. At least 50% of all holes on a miniature golf course must be accessible.

Recreation

• Recreational facilities, such as amusement rides, play areas, swimming pools, wading pools and spas, that were not previously regulated are also subject to the 2010 Standards.

Note:

More restrictive local and state standards may govern your project. It is recommended that you contact your design professional to review how the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design apply to your facility. The following link provides additional information: Americans with Disabilities Act. 

          

 

Martin R. Donoghue, P.E., LEED AP BD&C

COASTAL ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC. 

   

Mr. Donoghue is a LEED Accredited Professional with specialty credentials in Building Design & Construction.  He is a registered professional engineer and has been practicing for more than 26 years.

  

Send e-mail to Martin Donoghue