Museums
ADA ComplianceJanuary 16, 2013
ADA Titles
2
Privately operated museums are covered by Title III of the ADA
Museums operated by state or local government are covered by Title II of the ADA
Museums that receive Federal funding – whether covered by Title II or III are also covered by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
(C) United Spinal Association 2013
New Construction & Alterations
3
Permits and permit extensions issued after 3/15/2012 must comply with 2010 Standards
Start of construction to be used where permit is not issued. This does not mean ceremonies or site clearing.
(C) United Spinal Association 2013
Barrier Removal
4
On or after 3/15/2012, elements not complying with or were not required by the 1991 Standards must be modified to comply with 2010 Standards
Elements complying with 1991 Standards not undergoing alteration after 3/15/2012 do not have to be modified to comply with new standard
(C) United Spinal Association 2013
Historic BuildingsGive priority to methods that provide physical
access to individuals with disabilities
Not required to take any action that would threaten or destroy the historic significance of an historic property
However must use alternative methods of achieving program accessibility
(C) United Spinal Association 20135
Historic BuildingsAlternate methods -
Using audio-visual materials and devices to depict those portions of an historic property that cannot otherwise be made accessible
Assigning persons to guide individuals with disabilities into or through portions of historic properties that cannot otherwise be made accessible
Adopting other innovative methods
(C) United Spinal Association 20136
New Definitions
Mobility DeviceService Animal
(C) United Spinal Association 20137
Mobility Device
8
Two tiered approach
Wheelchairs and other
devices designed for use
by individuals with mobility
disabilities - canes,
crutches, walkersmust be permitted in all
areas open to pedestrian
use
(C) United Spinal Association 2013
Mobility Device
9
Other power-driven mobility devices (those not primarily designed for use by individuals with mobility disabilities)
must be permitted to be used unless the covered entity can demonstrate that such use would (i) fundamentally alter its programs, services, or activities; (ii) create a direct threat to others; or (iii) conflict with legitimate safety requirements
(C) United Spinal Association 2013
Service Animals
10
Only include a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability
(C) United Spinal Association 2013
Service Animals
11
Other animals, wild or domestic, are no longer considered service animals
Trained miniature horses may be an exception An emotional support animal (any animal that
provides emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship) is not to be considered a service animal
However, psychiatric service dogs are recognized; for example, a dog can be trained to “ground” a person with a psychiatric disorder
(C) United Spinal Association 2013
Assembly - Accessible Seating
12
Significant reduction in large facilitiesFacilities with 500-5000 seats must have six
accessible seating locations (wheelchair location and companion seat) plus one additional accessible seating location for every additional 150 fixed seats above 500 in the general seating area (800 seat facility must have 6 + 2 = 8)
Facilities with 5001 or more fixed seats in the general seating area must have 36 accessible seating locations plus one additional accessible seating location for every 200 fixed seats above 5000 in the general seating area
(C) United Spinal Association 2013
Assembly - Accessible Seating
13
Individuals who need to use accessible seating because of a mobility disability
Individuals who need to use accessible seating because their disability requires the use of the accessible features that are provided in accessible seating
Companions
(C) United Spinal Association 2010 9/7/10
Accessible Seating
14 (C) United Spinal Association 2010 9/7/10
Accessible Seating
15
Companion seats may be movable as long as they provide• Shoulder-to-shoulder
alignment• Located at the same floor
elevation as the wheelchair location
• Size, quality, comfort, & amenities are equal to other seating in the area
(C) United Spinal Association 2010 9/7/10
Designated Aisle Seats
16
Five percent of the total number of aisle seats
Previously was one percent of all seats
(C) United Spinal Association 2013
Assistive Listening Systems
Number of receivers required is based on seating capacity Assistive listening systems
Capacity of Seating inAssembly Area
Minimum Number ofRequired Receivers
Minimum Number of RequiredReceivers Required to beHearing-aid Compatible
50 or less 2 2
51 to 200 2, plus 1 per 25 seatsover 50 seats
2
201 to 500 2, plus 1 per 25 seatsover 50 seats
1 per 4 receivers
501 to 1000 20, plus 1 per 33 seatsover 500 seats
1 per 4 receivers
1001 to 2000 35, plus 1 per 50 seatsover 1000 seats
1 per 4 receivers
2001 and over 55 plus 1 per 100 seatsover 2000 seats
1 per 4 receivers
(C) United Spinal Association 201317
Assistive Listening Systems
Assistive listening systems are required in spaces where communication is integral to the space and audio amplification is provided
Requirement is no longer tied to having fixed seats
(C) United Spinal Association 201318
Assistive Listening Systems
Availability must be identified by the international symbol
(C) United Spinal Association 201319
Effective Communication
(C) United Spinal Association 201320
Not a New Provision
Must take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with people with disabilities are as effective as communications with others
Including – Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs), Captioning, Qualified Interpreters, Large Print, Braille
Effective Communication
Apps for mobile devices can be used to translate spoken word into ALS, provide audio description of exhibits, and use GPS as way finding
Examples – Arizona Sonora Desert Museum - visitors can
navigate the 21 acre museum with their smart phones using app called MyGeoTrex, a GPS-based app that gives information about the exhibits
Werribee Open Range Zoo - OpenMi Excursions is a smart phone app that offers interactive and accessible learning through captions and Australian Sign Language
(C) United Spinal Association 201321
Sales CountersAccessible counter – 36 inches above the
finished floor and identified with access symbol
(C) United Spinal Association 201322
Queue Lines
Queue lines must be set at least 36 inches wide.
Queue lines can create a tripping hazard for individuals with low vision or who are blind.
(C) United Spinal Association 201323
Display Labels
Characters and their background shall have a non-glare finish.
Characters shall contrast with their background with either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background.
Additional factors affecting the ease with which the text can be distinguished from its background include shadows cast by lighting sources, surface glare, and the uniformity of the text and its background colors and textures.
(C) United Spinal Association 201324
Example of poor color contrast
(C) United Spinal Association 201325
Example of good color contrast
(C) United Spinal Association 201326
Display Label
Minimum character height shall comply with Table 703.5.5. Viewing distance shall be measured as the horizontal distance between the character and an obstruction preventing further approach towards the sign. Character height shall be based on the uppercase letter "I".
(C) United Spinal Association 201327
703.5.5 Visual Character Height
703.5.5 Visual Character Height
Height to Finish Floor or Ground
from Baseline of Character
Horizontal Viewing Distance Minimum Character Height
40 inchesto less than or equal to 70
inches
less than 72 inches 5/8 inch
72 inches and greater 5/8 inch, plus 1/8 inch per footof viewing distance above 72
inches
Greater than 70 inchesto less than or equal to 120
inches
less than 180 inches 2 inches
180 inches and greater 2 inches, plus 1/8 inch per foot
of viewing distance above 180 inches
Greater than 120 inches less than 21 feet 3 inches
21 feet and greater 3 inches, plus 1/8 inch per foot
of viewing distance above 21 feet
(C) United Spinal Association 201328
Display Label
Sloped labels allow inspection by all
(C) United Spinal Association 201329
Wall LabelsHeight that is comfortable for those seated and
standing is between 48 and 67 inches
Centerline at 54 inches above the floor is
optimum height
(C) United Spinal Association 201330
Free-standing Display Case36 inches
(C) United Spinal Association 201331
Free-standing Display CaseBest practice
(C) United Spinal Association 201332
Free-standing Display CaseGood Examples
Bad Example
(C) United Spinal Association 201333
Interactive Displays
(C) United Spinal Association 201334
Reach range48 inches maximum and 15 inches minimum for
unobstructed front or side reach
Interactive Displays
(C) United Spinal Association 201335
Reach rangeObstructed front and side reach
Interactive Displays
(C) United Spinal Association 201336
Accessible work surfaceProvide at least one station with a minimum of 27
inches of knee clearance underneath work surface with 17 – 25 inches of depth for knee and toe clearance underneath the desk/station for people who use wheelchairs
Toe Clearance Knee Clearance
Interactive exhibitsOperable partsProvide operable parts that can be used with a
closed fist and mount these parts between 15 and 48 inches above the finished floor
Ensure that more than 5 pounds of force is not required to operate the part
(C) United Spinal Association 201337
Space RequirementsPath of travel 36 inch minimum clear width
required with a 60 inch wide passing space every 200 feet
Best practice – 60 inch wide path
(C) United Spinal Association 201338
Limits of Protruding Objects
(C) United Spinal Association 201339
Protruding Objects
Bottom edge of
stairway
is less than 80 inches
above floor
40 (C) United Spinal Association 2013
Protruding ObjectsCane detection
(C) United Spinal Association 201341
Protruding Objects
(C) United Spinal Association 201342
Protruding ObjectsA sign mounted within the circulation path
protrudes 6 inches and the leading edge is 29 inches above the finished floor
(C) United Spinal Association 201343
Protruding ObjectsExhibit planning – 30 inches above floor and
protrudes more than 4 inches
(C) United Spinal Association 201344
Protruding ObjectMore examples
(C) United Spinal Association 201345
Protruding ObjectLess obvious example – protrudes 7 inches at a
54 inches
(C) United Spinal Association 201346
Program Access
Virtual tours
Lectures
Handouts
(C) United Spinal Association 201347
Restaurants & Bars
48
5% of the total number of general seating spaces and standing spaces at dining surfaces must be accessible (with accessible knee and toe clearances) and located
along an accessible route
(100 seats = 5 accessible)Previously the number of
accessible seating was based
on the number of dining tables
(20 tables = 1 table)
(C) United Spinal Association 2013
Common issuesProtruding objectsEffective communicationInformation not provided in various formatsLabels that do not meet sign requirementsPrinted materials not provided in alternate
formatsPrograms not accessible to all patronsInsufficient directional signageAncillary spaces (i.e. toilet rooms, coat checks)
(C) United Spinal Association 201349
Thank You
United Spinal Association
75-20 Astoria Boulevard
East Elmhurst, New York 11370
718-803 -3782
www.accessibility-services.com
(C) United Spinal Association 201350