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Chapter 7: The Americans With Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)

Italicized text was added to the original Title III Technical Assistance Manual through supplements issued in 1993 and 1994.

Regulatory references: Appendix A to 28 CFR Part 36.

III-7.8000 Special facility types

III-7.8100 Historic preservation (ADAAG §4.1.7)

This section contains requirements for alterations to qualified historic buildings and facilities (see III-6.4000).

III-7.8200 Restaurants and cafeterias (ADAAG §5)

In restaurants, generally all dining areas and five percent of fixed tables (but not less than one) must be accessible. While raised or sunken dining areas must be accessible, inaccessible mezzanines are permitted under certain conditions. ADAAG contains requirements for counters and bars, access aisles, food service lines, tableware and condiment areas, raised speaker's platforms, and vending machine areas (but not controls).

III-7.8300 Medical care facilities (ADAAG §6)

In medical care facilities, all public and common use areas must be accessible. In general purpose hospitals, and in psychiatric and detoxification facilities, 10 percent of patient bedrooms and toilets must be accessible. The required percentage is 100 percent for special facilities treating conditions that affect mobility, and 50 percent for long-term facilities and nursing homes. There are special, less stringent requirements for alterations.

ADAAG's special requirements for medical care facilities apply only to facilities or portions of facilities where people receive physical , psychiatric, or other medical treatment. They do not apply to facilities or portions of facilities where social services, but not medical care, are provided (e.g. assistance with daily living activities, provision of meals, transportation, counseling).

III-7.8400 Business and mercantile (ADAAG §7)

1. Sales and service counters with cash registers: At least one of each type of sales or service counter where a cash register is located must be accessible. Accessible counters must be dispersed throughout the facility. Auxiliary counters are permissible in alterations.

   Are frozen food and deli counters covered? No, but employees should be instructed to bring food items around to the front of high counters for individuals with disabilities.

   What does "one of each type" mean in a store where computerized check-out permits universal service at any cash register? The size of the store and the number of floors will be relevant factors in determining how many counters need to be accessible.

   ILLUSTRATION 1: A small one-story clothing store has four identical cash register counters, one in each department. Only one counter need be accessible, if all items can be purchased there.

   ILLUSTRATION 2: A very narrow but six-story tall department store has identical cash register counters throughout the facility. ADAAG will be satisfied if there is one accessible counter per floor at which all purchases can be made.

   BUT: If the same six-story department store is a full city block long, one per floor may not be enough. A reasonable number should be provided.

2. Other counters: At counters without cash registers, such as bank teller windows and ticketing counters, three alternatives are possible: a) A portion of the counter may be lowered, b) An auxiliary counter may be provided, or c) Equivalent facilitation may be provided by installing a folding shelf on the front of a counter to provide a work surface for a person using a wheelchair.
3. Check-out aisles (§7.3): At least one of each design of check-out aisle must be accessible, and, in some cases, additional check-out aisles are required to be accessible (i.e., from 20 to 40 percent) depending on the number of check-out aisles and the size of the facility. There are less stringent standards for alterations.

III-7.8500 Libraries (ADAAG §8)

In libraries, all public areas must be accessible. In addition, five percent of fixed tables or study carrels (or at least one) must be accessible. At least one lane at the check-out area and aisles between card catalogs, magazine displays, and stacks must be accessible.

III-7.8600 Transient lodging (ADAAG §9)

1. Hotels, motels, dormitories, and similar places: Four percent of the first 100 rooms and approximately two percent of rooms in excess of 100 must be accessible to persons with mobility impairments and to persons with hearing impairments (i.e., contain visual alarms, visual notification devices, volume-control telephones, and an accessible electrical outlet for a text telephone). In hotels with more than 50 rooms, an additional one percent of the rooms must be accessible rooms equipped with roll-in showers. Moreover, additional rooms must be accessible to persons with hearing impairments in the same percentages as above (i.e., four percent of the first 100 rooms and approximately two percent of rooms in excess of 100). There are special provisions for alterations.
2. Homeless shelters, halfway houses, and other social service establishments: These entities must provide the same percentage of accessible sleeping accommodations as other places of transient lodging. At least one type of amenity in each common area must be accessible. Alterations are subject to less stringent standards.

III-7.8700 Transportation facilities

ADAAG provides requirements for bus stops and terminals, rail stations, and airports. These requirements have been incorporated by the Department of Transportation in its regulations implementing the transportation provisions of titles II and III.

There are currently no standards for boats or ferry docks.

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