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The ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) is a federal standard for measuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The ADAAG includes technical specifications for space allowance and reach ranges, routes, protruding objects, ground and floor surfaces, ramps, stairs, elevators, doors, entrances, controls and operating mechanisms, alarms, signage, and much more.
Stated simply, in order for a facility to be accessible to wheelchair users, that user must be able to get to the building, enter it, get to the floor on which the facility is located, and enter the facility. Stairs, narrow entryways, doors without automatic openers, cluttered pathways, and protruding objects are all possible barriers.
Inside the facility, aisles should be kept wide and clear so that wheelchair users can access them. Work surfaces should be of sufficient height to accommodate wheelchair users. Adjustable-height surfaces are an excellent option, because they can be shared among people with varying height needs. If a service counter/desk is available, at least part of that counter/desk should be height-adjustable to the wheelchair user.
Details are provided in the ADAAG.
The following AccessIT Knowledge Base articles may also be of interest:
For additional information, contact your region's ADA & IT Center at 1-800-949-4232.