Retail stores, restaurants, event venues, and other places of public accommodation seeking guidance on accessible design requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") should be aware of the latest installment of technical bulletins recently released by the U.S. Access Board, the federal agency tasked with developing accessible design criteria for individuals with disabilities.
The new bulletins focus on building and design requirements for accessible routes, entrances and doors, ramps, and elevators and platform lifts, as well as accessible means of egress. The bulletins are designed to explain and more clearly illustrate the accessibility requirements set forth in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design (the "Standards"), as well as to answer common questions and offer best practice recommendations.
The latest bulletins build on the first installment released last year, which focused on the application and use of the Standards, scoping in new construction as well as in alterations and additions, and basic "building block" technical requirements including clear floor and turning space and operable parts.
The Access Board has also updated its popular animations series, which aims to clarify various requirements under the Standards using visual representations. The latest animation focuses on how protruding objects can pose a hazard to individuals with vision impairments, and features animation demonstrating examples of common protruding objects, standard cane techniques, and how to reduce hazards and make objects properly comply with the Standards.
Future bulletins will be published as they become available, and users can sign up to receive email updates on the release of new technical guides in the series.
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