New ADA Regulations for Recreational Facilities

The American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) Guidelines signed into law on September 15, 2010 require compliance by all Title II (Public Entities) and Title III (Public Accommodations and Commercial Entities) by March 15, 2012.  This includes recreation facilities, swimming pools, wading pools and spas.

ADA regulations cover both public and private facilities including pools operated by public park and recreational districts, hotels and motels, fitness and recreational sports clubs, country clubs, high schools and universities, waterparks, hospitals and health care facilities.  Regulations may also apply to private residential facilities, such as homeowners, apartment and condo associations, if these facilities are open to the general public.

These new standards cover existing and newly-constructed swimming pools, spas and wading pools and establish minimum accessibility requirements to ensure a general level of usability by individuals with disabilities.  By March 15, 2012, most owners and operators will have to retrofit existing pools and spas with a pool lift or some other means of accessible entry, unless they lack the financial resources or physical space to do so. 

Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, and Spas

Specifications are provided for various means of providing pool access, including pool lifts, sloped entries, transfer walls, transfer systems, and stairs.  Access to swimming pools can be achieved by sloped entries or pool lifts.  For larger pools (those with 300 or more linear feet of pool wall), a secondary means of access is required.  Stairs, transfer systems, or transfer walls can be used instead of lifts or sloped entries for this secondary means of access.  Specific provisions are also provided for wading pools, spas, as well as wave action pools and other types of pools where user access is limited to one area. 

* Primary means must be by sloped entry or lift; secondary means can be any of the permitted types.

Swimming pools are not the only recreational facilities affected the new standard.  The new requirements also affect regular and mini golf courses, newly designed, constructed or altered playgrounds for children ages 2 and older as well as Gyms.

Gyms with exercise equipment may need to provide at least one accessible piece of every type of exercise equipment present on an accessible route and must have a clear floor space positioned to enable an individual with a disability to use the equipment.

Steam rooms must have appropriate turning space and doors that do not swing into the clear floor space.  Where benches are provided, one must be accessible.

As with prior ADA requirements, these mandates are required when it is readily achievable to do so.  Readily achievable means easily accomplishable and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense.

For more information on all the new ADA regulations  Click Here