Handout 6: Barriers Checklist*
Adapted with permission from Adaptive Environments Center, Inc., and Barrier Free Environments, Inc. 1995.The Americans Disabilities Act Checklist for Readily Achievable Barrier Removal 2.0. Boston, Mass.: Adaptive Environments Center Inc. The checklist created by Adaptive Environments Center, Inc., was funded by a grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and reviewed for accuracy by the U.S. Department of Justice. However, this adaptation in Setting the Stage has not been reviewed by the Adaptive Environments Center for the U.S. Department of Justice. For further guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), contact the Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers, located in the 10 federal regions across the country, at (800)949-4232 (voice/TDD).
Priority 1: Accessible EntrancePeople with disabilities should be able to arrive on the site, approach the building, and enter the building as freely as everyone else. At least one path of travel should be safe and accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities.
QUESTIONS YES NO POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS Path of Travel
Is there a path of travel that does not require the use of stairs?‚ ‚ ‚ Add a ramp if the path of travel is interrupted by stairs.
‚ Add an alternative pathway on level ground.Is the path of travel stable, firm, and slip-resistant? ‚ ‚ ‚ Repair uneven paving.
‚ Fill small bumps and breaks
with beveled patches.
‚ Replace gravel with a hard surface.Is the path of travel at least 36 inches wide? ‚ ‚ ‚ Change or move landscaping, furnishings, or other features that narrow the path of travel.
‚ Widen pathway.Can all objects sticking out in the path be detected by a person with a visual disability using a cane? In order to be detected using a cane, an object must be within 27 inches of the ground. Objects hanging or mounted overhead must be higher than 80 inches to provide clear headroom. It is not necessary to remove objects that stick out less than 4 inches from the wall.
‚ ‚ ‚ Move or remove objects sticking
out into the path.
‚ Add a cane-detectable base that
extends to the ground.
‚ Place a cane-detectable object
on the ground underneath as a
warning barrier.Do curbs on the pathways have curb cuts at drives, parking, and drop-offs? ‚ ‚ ‚ Install curb cuts.
‚ Add small ramps up to curbs.Priority 2: Access to Goods and Services
Ideally, the layout of the building should allow people with disabilities to obtain goods or services without special assistance, Where it is not possible to provide full accessibility, assistance or alternative services should be avail able upon request.
QUESTIONS YES NO POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS Horizontal Circulation
Does the accessible entrance provide direct access to the main floor, lobby, or elevator?‚ ‚ ‚ Add ramps or lifts.
‚ Make another entrance accessible.Are all public spaces on an accessible path of travel? ‚ ‚ ‚ Provide access to all the public spaces along an accessible path of travel. Is the accessible route to all public spaces at least 36 inches wide? ‚ ‚ ‚ Move furnishings such as tables
chairs, display racks, vending
machines, and counters to make
more room.Is there a 5-foot circle or T-shaped space for a person using a wheelchair to reverse direction? ‚ ‚ ‚ Rearrange furnishings, displays,
and equipment.Priority 3: Usability of Rest Rooms
When rest rooms are open to the public, they should be accessible to people with disabilities. Closing a rest room, that is currently open to the public is not allowed.
QUESTIONS YES NO POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS Getting to the Rest Rooms
If rest rooms are available to the public, is at least one rest room (either one for each sex, or unisex) fully accessible?‚ ‚ ‚ Reconfigure a rest room.
‚ Combine rest rooms to create one unisex,accessible rest room.Priority 4: Additional Access
When amenities such as public telephones and drinking fountains are provided to the general public, they should also be accessible to people with disabilities.
QUESTIONS YES NO POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS Drinking Fountains
Is there at least one fountain with clear floor space of at least 30 x 48 inches in front?‚ ‚ ‚ Clear more room by
rearranging or removing furnishings.