Understanding The ABCs of ADA<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Page 1

By Joan Stein

Many professional groups have their own lexicon of acronyms - those technical or specialized terms that often cause nonspecialists to nod and feign recognition and understanding when the terms come up in conversation. But if asked to give the full name of the acronym or to provide a rough definition, many listeners would be lost. Disability laws - and related policies, procedures, terminology, requirements and technical specifications - fit right into this category. Every facility executive knows that ADA is Americans with Disabilities Act, the civil rights law signed into law by former President George Bush in 1990; some know that the law provides protection to the single largest and fastest-growing minority group in this country. But many other terms are less well understood. Here’s a mini dictionary to help navigate the territory.

ADAAG - Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines - spells out the technical and scoping requirements of ADA. It is important to understand that ADAAG is not a building code. Because ADA is a civil rights law, there are many aspects of the technical requirements that differ from standard building codes. Here are a few examples:

· Clear opening width: “… provide a minimum of 32 inches clear opening width.” This stipulates a minimum, not an absolute, and the measurement is not the door frame, but the amount of space available to pass through when the door is open 90 degrees.

· Marked parking space with a marked access aisle: “… provide a marked parking space with a minimum 60- or 96-inch-wide access aisle.” This stipulates that a reserved accessible parking space must also have a marked access aisle adjacent to the space, which is not to be included within the parking space itself. The wider of the two requirements is for van-accessible parking spots. The narrower of the two is for cars. This access aisle allows for sufficient space between parked vehicles so that a ramp or lift can be deployed.

· Signage: “…provide signage that cannot be obstructed by a parked vehicle.” This requirement means that painted signs on the ground are insufficient. They cannot be seen under a parked vehicle, in the snow or at night. A vertical sign is necessary.

Alterations - any change made to a facility that affects the function of the element or space. As alterations are designed and constructed, they must meet the new construction requirements of ADAAG.

Barrier-free - often used to describe an area that has no barriers to individuals with physical or sensory disabilities.

Complaint-driven Law — ADA is enforced by private citizens who either file a complaint with the appropriate federal agency responsible for enforcement or file a lawsuit in federal court.

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