Native Americans with Disabilities and the

ADA

Funded By & Adminstrated By

New Mexico Chapter Houses• Surveys include these areas

• Ramps• Door Knobs & Entrances• Parking Areas• Reception Areas• Bathrooms• Toilets Stalls & Doors• Platform Ramps• Showers• Other

Parking SpacesParking lots should have designated parking spaces for drivers with disabilities. Car parking spaces should be a minimum of 96 inches wide and van parking spaces should be a minimum of 132 inches wide and should have a marked access aisle. The access aisle should be at least 60 inches wide and should connect the parking spaces to accessible entrances. It should avoid passing behind parked vehicles or crossing traffic. Parking spaces should be identified with the International Symbol of Accessibility and should be at least 60 inches high. Ramps leading from the accessible parking spaces to the building should be level to the parking surface and have a slope of no more than 1:12.

Parking Areas

RampsThe recommended slope for a ramp is 1:12. A ramp should not have a slope steeper than 1:8. A ramp with a slope between 1:10 and 1:8 is usable if the maximum rise is 3 inches. A ramp with a slope between 1:12 and 1:10 is usable if the maximum rise is 6 inches. The least possible running slope is recommended to accommodate the widest range of users. The width of the ramp should be at least 36 inches. Ramps should have a landing of at least 60 inches at the top & the bottom. Ramps with a rise over 6 inches should have handrails and mid-rails between 34 and 38 inches high on both sides as well as mid-rails. Ramps should use non-slip materials. Ramps should not be constructed in areas that are known to flood to prevent drainage problems at the base of the ramp. Alternatively, gutters should be installed to divert water from flowing onto the ramp. Ramps should include landings at the bottom of the ramp.

Ramp Landings

Ramps

Turning SpaceTurning spaces should be a minimum of 60 inches in diameter, including knee & toe clearance. Doors and DoorwaysDoor openings should be a minimum of 32 inches wide, but 36 inches is preferable. Maneuvering clearances should also be considered. If a door is pulled open, then a 60 inch maneuvering clearance should be provided. If a door is pushed open, a 48 inch maneuvering clearance should be provided.

Maneuvering Clearances for Manual Doors

Door handles should be “L-Shape” door handles between 34 inches and 48 inches from the ground & operable with one hand. They should not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The force required to use a door handle should be 5 pounds or less. Door handles that can be operated with a closed fist or loose grip such as L shaped levers are recommended since they can be used by the greatest range of users. Hardware that requires hand and finger movements require greater dexterity and coordination and are not recommended. Doors, other than necessary fire doors, should require no more than 5 pounds of force to open

L-Shaped Door HandleThe automatic door opener push paddle should be located near enough the door to allow the person pushing it enough time to press the button and enter the door without the door beginning to close.

Door knobs & Entrance

Reception areas

Use of “half doors” in reception areas should be avoided. People working behind reception desks that utilize “half doors,” should be aware that people using wheelchairs or people with visual impairments may not be able to see over the door or know the doors are there.

Reception Areas

Sinks should be installed with the front of the rim or the counter no more than 34 inches from the floor. The clear floor space around the sink should be at least 30 inches by 48 inches. Sinks should have a knee clearance of at least 9 inches deep & 27 inches from the floor. Hand operated faucets should be operable with one hand & should not require tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist. Hand operated metering faucets should remain on for at least 10 seconds. Exposed pipes under sinks should be insulated or otherwise protected against contact. Towel and soap dispensers should be low enough for people who use wheelchairs to reach them. Restroom floor should be the same level both inside and outside of the restroom. Mirrors should be placed low enough for people who use wheelchairs to look into them.

Bathrooms

RestroomsRestrooms should have a turning space of at least 60 inches. Restrooms should include at least one toilet compartment that is positioned with a wall or partition to the rear and to one side. The centerline of the toilet compartment should be between 16 & 18 inches from the side wall or partition. Stalls should be arranged for a left-handed or right-handed approach. Clearances around the toilet compartment should be at least 60 inches measured from the side wall & at least 56 inches measured from the rear wall. Overlap between the clearances & the turning space is allowed unless the door is directly in front & opens into the toilet compartment.

Clearances for Toilet CompartmentThe seat height of the toilet should be between 17 & 19 inches high. Toilets should utilize a lever to flush. Flush levers should be located on the approach side of the toilet and no on the wall side of the toilet for easier access. Grab bars should be provided on the side wall closes to the toilet and on the rear wall. Grab bars should be between 1 ¼ & 2 inches in diameter, have a space between the wall & the grab bar of 1 ½ inches, & be between 33 & 36 inches from the floor. The side wall grab bar should be at least 42 inches long and placed no more than 12 inches from the rear wall. The rear wall grab bar should be at least 36 inches long and extend from the centerline of the toilet at least 12 inches on one side & at least 24 inches on the other side.

Side Wall Grab Bars Rear Wall Grab Bars

Toilet stall & Doors

Ramps

The recommended slope for a ramp is 1:12. A ramp should not have a slope steeper than 1:8. A ramp with a slope between 1:10 and 1:8 is usable if the maximum rise is 3 inches. A ramp with a slope between 1:12 and 1:10 is usable if the maximum rise is 6 inches. The least possible running slope is recommended to accommodate the widest range of users. The width of the ramp should be at least 36 inches. Ramps should have a landing of at least 60 inches at the top & the bottom. Ramps with a rise over 6 inches should have handrails and mid-rails between 34 and 38 inches high on both sides as well as mid-rails. Ramps should use non-slip materials. Ramps should not be constructed in areas that are known to flood to prevent drainage problems at the base of the ramp. Alternatively, gutters should be installed to divert water from flowing onto the ramp. Ramps should include landings at the bottom of the ramp.

Ramps that located inside a build has to follow these guidelines.

Platform Area Ramps

ShowersShower stalls that are 60 inches wide & have no curb may increase the usability of a bathroom because the shower area provides additional maneuvering space. There are typically 2 types of showers – transfer type & roll in type.

Transfer Type ShowerFor the transfer type, the inside shower compartment should be 36 inches by 36 inches with a 36 inch minimum entry. There should also be a minimum of 36 inch wide by 48 inch long area outside the shower compartment to allow a clear area for the transfer. A folding or non-folding seat shall be provided in transfer type shower compartments. The seat should be between 17 inches & 19 inches above the bathroom floor. The rear edge of the seat should be 2½ inches from the wall & the front edge should be between 15 & 16 inches from the wall. The side edge of the seat should be 1½ inches from the side wall. Thresholds should be no higher than ½ inch and should be beveled, rounded or vertical. A 2 inch threshold is allowed in existing facilities where provided a ½ inch threshold would disturb the structural reinforcement of the floor slab.

Transfer Type Shower Compartment Size & Clearance

Grab bars should be provided across the control wall & back was to a point of 18 inches from the control wall. Where multiple grab bars are used, required horizontal grab bars should be installed at the same height above the floor.

The controls, faucets, & shower spray unit should be installed on the side wall opposite the seat between 38 inches & 48 inches above the shower floor & should be located on the control wall 15 inches from the centerline of the seat. Hand held shower heads should be used. They should be mounted between 33 and 36 inches from the shower floor.

Grab Bars for Transfer Type Showers

Transfer Type Shower Compartment Control Location

Roll-In Type Shower CompartmentsStandard roll-in type shower compartments should be a minimum of 30 inches wide by 60 inches deep & should have a minimum of 60 inch wide entry on the face of the shower compartment. A clearance area of a minimum 30 inch wide by 60 inch long should be provided next to the open face of the shower compartment. If a toilet is next to the shower it can interfere with the 60 inch long clearance as long as it is not on the side of the controls or the shower seat. Thresholds should be no more than ½ inch.

Standard Roll-In Type Shower Compartment Size & Clearance

Grab bars should all be installed at the same height from the floor. Where a seat is provided in a standard roll-in shower, grab bars should be provided on the back wall & the side wall opposite the seat. Grab bars should not be placed above the seat. If a seat is not provided, grab bars should be provided on all 3 walls. All grab bars should be installed no more than 6 inches from the adjacent walls.

Grab Bars for Standard Roll-In Type Showers

The controls, faucets & shower spray unit should be located above the grab bar, but no more than 48 inches from the shower floor. When a seat is provided, the controls, faucets & shower spray unit should be installed on the back wall adjacent to the seat wall & should be no more than 27 inches from the seat wall. If a seat is not provided, then the shower head & operable parts can be located on any of the 3 walls. The shower spray unit should have a hose at least 59 inches long that can be used both as a fixed-position shower head & as a hand-held shower. The shower spray unit should have an on/off control with a non-positive shut-off. If an adjustable-height shower head on a vertical bar is used, it should be installed so it is not in the way of using the grab bars. The water temperature should be no higher than 120°F.

Standard Roll-In Type Shower Compartment Control Location

Showers

Ground Surfaces

Parking lots, floors & ground surfaces should be even, stable, firm and slip resistant. Carpet should be avoided. All walking surfaces should have a running slope of 1:20 or less. Changes in level of ¼ inch are permitted. Changes in level between ¼ inch and ½ inch should be beveled with a slope of 1:2 or less.

Other