Staying up to Date on ADA Guidelines

Posted on November 5, 2010 to ADA

As a business owner or landlord, it is your responsibility to be aware of the most up to date requirements set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  In July of 2010, revisions to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) ADA regulations, including to its ADA Standards for Accessible Design, were signed by the Attorney General. According to the DOJ Website, “In general, the final rules will take effect 6 months after the date on which they are published in the Federal Register. Compliance with the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design is permitted after that date, but not required until 18 months after the date of publication.” (This statement can be found at http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/ADAregs2010.htm)

 The newest changes listed on the website include, but are not limited to:

  • Recreation Facilities
    • Recreational Boating Facilities
    • Exercise Machines and Equipment
    • Golf Facilities  
    • Play Areas
    • Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, and Spas
    • Saunas and Steam Rooms
  • Public Facilities
    • Detention and Correctional Facilities
    • Judicial Facilities
    • Residential Dwelling Units
  • Changes to the 1991 Standards
    • Reach Range Requirements
    • Water Closet Clearances in Single User Toilet Rooms
    • Assembly Areas
    • Common Use Circulation Paths in Employee Work Areas
    • Location of Accessible Routes
    • Direct Access Entrances from Parking Structures

As we have referenced our previous newsflashes and in our presentations, often both the Landlord and the Tenant of a given facility are named in the course of a lawsuit – so it is up to both to ensure compliance.  We have also pointed out the importance of addressing this issue in the course of discussing the terms of the lease.  It is up to both parties to ensure that a facility is compliant with the most up-to-date regulations in order to ensure accessibility and avert potential litigation.

View the original article here (http://larsandersenassociates.wordpress.com/2010/09/16/staying-up-to-date-on-ada-guidelines/)

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