THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AT 30 -- PART 1

VOICES OF VICTORY, CELEBRATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS

AND REMAINING CHALLENGES 

The ADA at 30. It conjures thoughts profound and emotional.

Groundbreaking federal Civil Rights legislation. 

Reason for celebration because humankind is better when we remove barriers that prevent people from living their lives to the fullest.

Because the ADA is all about embracing diversity while (deservedly) uplifting quality of life, we reached out to a diverse group of PWD and asked them to share their thoughts on the ADA at 30. 

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Resources

*Advocacy in Action, a Toolkit for the Rolling Revolution, a comprehensive guide to getting involved and using your voice for change from United Spinal Association.

* Find the Center for Independent Living in your area: ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory

* The US DOJ website on ADA Titles II (state and local government) and III (public accommodations, aka private businesses): ADA.gov 

*Accessibility Services, a program of United Spinal Association, assists property owners and designers as they navigate the myriad accessibility requirements that apply to a facility at the state and federal levels: accessibility-services.com/about-accessibility-services.

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Unfortunately, many architects, planners and city officials are either not aware of ADA compliance rules for adaptive re-use, or they are lax in enforcing them. 

That’s why it’s important to forge and maintain good contacts — so previously inaccessible buildings become accessible via renovation.

“Many people with disabilities develop a relationship with their Department of Buildings to ensure that accessibility is emphasized in new and existing projects and to discuss ongoing projects,” Marinelli advises.

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Since the early 2000s, building codes throughout the country have mirrored the accessibility requirements of the ADA for both newly constructed and existing buildings, Marinelli explains.

New construction regs require that buildings provide accessible parking and paths from that parking to accessible entrances. Interior building features must include corridors and doors that provide adequate clear width, lowered counters, tables with knee space, drinking fountains with lowered spouts and bathrooms with accessible fixtures.

Existing buildings are required to dedicate 20% of alteration costs to providing an accessible path of travel to renovated spaces within the building. 

If an existing building changes use, such as a historic warehouse being converted to apartments, the building must comply with new construction requirements.

30th Anniversary of the ADA

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United Spinal Association’s Accessibility Services program provides consulting services devoted to making the built environment accessible to people with disabilities. 

Vice President Dominic Marinelli has worked as a certified accessibility specialist for over 30 years and knows a thing or two about how to effect change.

“A great example of working directly with City Hall is to establish a relationship with the local code enforcement office,” he says. 

“While building officials and inspectors are not responsible for enforcing the barrier removal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines — for buildings designed for first occupancy after Jan. 26, 1993 — they are required to enforce the accessibility requirements of the local building code and existing building code.”

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“We write a generic follow-up letter before we have a meeting, so it is ready to go right after the event. 

We say, ‘Here’s our number, reach out to us any time.’ 

It’s important to show that we appreciate their taking the time to get informed about our issue,” says Harrison.

A concise, positive, embracing note can break that harmful myth that people with disabilities are only complainers. 

And the next time you have an issue, your key city contacts will think of you as an active citizen with valuable insights into universal design.