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ADA barrier removal checklist available

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News from the U.S. Access Board:

Barrier Removal Checklist Available from New England ADA Center

The ADA requires that barriers to accessibility be removed in existing places of public accommodation where it is “readily achievable” to do so. The New England ADA Center, which is part of the federally supported National Network of ADA Centers, has issued an updated version of its ADA Checklist for Readily Achievable Barrier Removal based on the 2010 ADA standards. The Center’s previous checklist was based on the original 1991 standards. The new checklist also provides sections on various types of recreation facilities newly covered in the 2010 standards, including play areas, swimming pools, sports facilities, fishing piers, boating facilities, golf courses, and amusement rides.

Under the ADA regulations issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ), elements in existing facilities that have been retrofitted for access according to the 1991 standards do not have to be further modified to meet the 2010 standards. However, this safe harbor does not extend to certain spaces and elements not addressed in 1991 standards, notably provisions for recreation facilities and housing. DOJ’s ADA regulations note the specific provisions in the 2010 standards that may require further barrier removal. Beginning March 15, any retrofits undertaken for barrier removal must conform to the 2010 standards, as optional use of the 1991 standards for this purpose will no longer be allowed by that date. The updated checklist provides a helpful survey tool in addressing access barriers according to the 2010 standards.

The new checklist is available from the New England ADA Center at www.adachecklist.org. For further information, contact the Center at (617) 695-0085 (voice or TTY) or ADAinfo@NewEnglandADA.org.

 
 

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About the Blogger

Michele Ohmes

thumbnail image Michele S. Ohmes is an Americans with Disabilities Act specialist and wheelchair user who works with public works departments, facility managers, and contractors. Her design manual — ADA and Accessibility: Let's Get Practical — is available on CD-ROM through the American Public Works Association's Web site. Author's note: Michele & Associates does not render legal advice and has no enforcement authority regarding the ADA or other federal disability-rights legislation.