Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 - Accessibility Law

Accessibility Law

• ADA

• Minimum requirements

• Eliminates barriers in buildings

• Insures the rights of people with disabilities

• Distinguishes between people with disabilities and able-bodied people

• Brings unnecessary attention or stigma to disabled group

Universal Design

• Not a Law

• Best practices

• Improved usability and safety for all groups in community

• Incorporates design for entire population

• Older People, pregnant women, parents with children in strollers, etc.

Accessibility Law

• Civil rights issue

• Legal mandates

• Focus on minority group and eliminating discrimination

• Codes focused on minimum solutions

• Compliance with standards

Universal Design

• Market driven

• No legal mandate

• Depends on acceptance from a broad group of constituents

• Integrates usability with aesthetics, sustainable design etc.

Accessibility Law Exteriors

• At least one Accessible pathway from main access points to building entrance

• Accessible pathways connects all accessible building and facilities on a site

• Clear width of at least 36 inches

• Cross slopes not exceeding 2% (1:50)

• Transition height of no more than ¼ inch between different flooring surfaces

• At least 80 inches of vertical clearance

Universal Design Exteriors

• Direct access from all access points to all facilities and building entrances

• All pathways accessible

• Separate pedestrian, vehicular and bicycle/skating pathways with clearly marked boundaries

• Lighting along pathways reflected downward onto the path

• Edges of pathways defined with curbs, contrasting textures of or other means

• Avoid irregular textures, rough or uneven traveling surfaces

• Seating area for resting provided at intervals out of the circulation path

Accessibility Law Ramps and Stairs

• Steps with uniform riser heights and uniform tread widths

• No open risers on stairways

• Handrail height between 34 inches and 38 inches

• Clear space of 1-1/2 inches between handrails and adjoining walls

• Ramp at least 36 inches wide and landing at least 60 inches by 60 inches

Universal Design Ramps and Stairs

• Ramps and stairway wide enough to accommodate the expected traffic flow

• Seating at landing of long ramps and stairways

• Handrails, treads and walking surfaces evenly illuminated without strong shadows

• Curb ramp design standardized throughout a site

• Should not project into vehicular traffic

Accessibility Law Street Crossings

• Curb ramps located within the boundary of the marked safe crossing area

• Gratings located on walking surfaces with spaces no greater than ½ inch wide in one direction

• Islands that occur within the path of a marked crossing are cut through level with the street or have curb ramps at both sides and a level area of at least 48 inches between the curb ramps

Universal Design Street Crossing

• Reduce pedestrian crossing distance on major crossing routes by providing expanded corners and / or safety islands

• Locate storm drains outside marked crossings

• Curb cuts and ramps should direct pedestrians into safe crossing areas

• Set crossing signals long enough for slower moving people to cross

• Visual and auditory crossing signals at all busy crossings

Accessibility Law Wayfinding

• The ADA Guidelines and other accessibility codes do not include standards for Wayfinding

• Standards apply to sign letterings and placement only

Universal Design >Wayfinding

• Signs that are simple, functional and readable at distances

• Signs located at major vehicular entrances
  Information center provided at prominent site of entry points

• Orientation maps for motorist, pedestrians and bicyclist at major intersections

• Provide canopies, plazas, fountains, statues, etc, as landmarks to help identify features and buildings

Accessibility Law Entrances and Exits

• No revolving doors unless there is an accessible door adjacent

• Accessible doors require a minimum clear width of 32 inches

• Door hardware no higher than 48 inches above floor (handles, locks, etc.)

• Door opening force of 5 pounds maximum

Universal Design Entrances and Exits

• Wider openings and maneuvering clearances to accommodate various users (person in a wheelchair, child in stroller, adults carrying bags, etc.)

• Lightweight doors

• Automatic sliding doors

• Lever door handles or U-shaped handles

Accessibility Law Parking

• Locate accessible spaces on the closest accessible route of travel to an entrance

• Require 96 inches wide with an access aisle of at least 60 inches wide

• Designated with a sign or access symbol

• Level parking spots and access aisles (slope no greater than 1:50 (2%)

Universal Design Parking

• Emergency phones at large parking facilities
  Accessible shuttle service at large parking facilities (e.g. stadiums and amusement parks)

• Adequate lighting in all parking areas and passenger loading zones

• Routes from accessible parking do not pass behind parked vehicles

• Color coded zones and locator identifiers at large parking facilities

• Identify pedestrian pathways with signs, crosswalks, planters, bollards, etc.)

• Passenger loading zones that do not impede vehicular traffic

Accessibility Law Bus Stops

• Firm Stable surface

• A minimum clear length of 96 inches, measured from the curb

• A minimum clear width of 60 inches measured parallel to the vehicle roadway

• A maximum slope of 1:50 (2%) for water drainage

Universal Design Bus Stops

• Clear bus stop platform of all obstacles (trees, newspaper boxes, etc.)

• Design adjacent sidewalk to bus stop platform wide enough for expected levels of pedestrian activity and for two wheelchair users to pass

• Construct bus shelter of materials that allow for clear unobstructed visibility for patrons waiting

• Provide accurate route and schedule information at bus shelters

• Maintain cleanliness of the stop

Accessibility Law Shopping

• Minimum floor area 30 inches by 48 inches for approach

• Forward approach reach between 15 inches and 48 inches

• Parallel approach reach between 9 inches and 54 inches

• Side reach over an obstruction no higher than 46 inches and no deeper than 24 inches

• Forward reach over an obstruction no deeper than 25 inches

• Forward reach over an obstruction no higher than 48 inches when depth is less than 20 inches

• Forward reach over an obstruction no higher than 44 inches when depth is between 20 inches and 25 inches

Universal Design Shopping

• All products displayed at a reach range of 24 inches to 48 inches

• Products reachable from either standing or seating position
  Signage above each aisle listing contents

• Illumination for people with low vision to read names, labels, etc.

• Width of all aisles at least 60 inches to allow for two people to pass

• Service phones installed for assistance
  Heavier items located at a lower shelf height

Accessibility Law Housing

• Fair Housing accessibility guidelines for multifamily public housing

• No standards for new single family (private) homes

Universal Design Housing

• Incorporates 7 universal design features into all new homes constructed with City of San Antonio financial assistance

• Benefits people with temporary and permanent disabilities

• People who wish to remain in their homes as they age

• Small children and grandparents

• Upfront added cost $200 to $300 for new construction
  Cost to modify a non universally designed home up to $5000 (i.e. ramp, etc)