The 2010 Standards for Accessible Design have finally been published

The final regulations implementing changes to Title II and III Regulations was published today, September 15, 2010 in the Federal Register.

The revised regulations amend the Department's Title II regulation, 28 C.F.R. Part 35, and the Title III regulation, 28 C.F.R. Part 36.

Appendix A to each regulation includes a section-by-section analysis of the rule and responses to public comments on the proposed rule.
Appendix B to the Title III regulation discusses major changes in the ADA Standards for Accessible Design and responds to public comments received on the proposed rules.

Implementation dates:
• The final rules will take effect March 15, 2011
• Compliance with the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design is permitted as of September 15, 2010, but NOT REQUIRED until March 15, 2012.

You can access the final rules implementing Title II on the Federal Register Website at:


http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-21821.htm (HTML Version)

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-21821.pdf (PDF Version)

You can access the final rules implementing Title III on the Federal Register Website at:

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-21824.htm (HTML Version)

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-21824.pdf (PDF Version)

Appendix B to Final Title III Regulation: (Analysis of the 2010 ADA Standards is available at:

http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/titleIII_2010/reg3_2010_appendix_b.htm (HTML Version)

http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/titleIII_2010/reg3_2010_appendix_b.pdf (PDF Version)

The US Department of Justice has prepared several fact sheets that discuss the changes to the regulations and they are available as follows:

Highlights of the Final Rule to Amend the Department of Justice's Regulation Implementing Title II of the ADA

http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/factsheets/title2_factsheet.html

Highlights of the Final Rule to Amend the Department of Justice's Regulation Implementing Title III of the ADA

http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/factsheets/title3_factsheet.html


Adoption of the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/factsheets/2010_Standards_factsheet.html

If this is confusing to you, I wrote a guide all about the new guidelines with photographs and commentary check out our book "The ADA Companion Guide" published by John Wiley & Sons. I have a discount code for our subscribers if you visit my website http://www.abadiaccess.com/

How are the ADA guidelines changing?

The new Americans with Disabilities Act has some interesting techical changes. This Blog  will explain some of the changes.  For a summary of the Scoping changes please read the  past Blog post Summary of Technical Changes

Most of the technical guidelines are very similar to the original ADAAG, but there is a few  minor changes and additions to the entire document.  Below are a few of the changes that  stood out. 1) In the new techical chapters the main changes is the re-formating to meet the numbersing  system of the ANSI.  They have grouped sections together that make more sense, like all plumbing fixtures under chapter 6.  2) New ranges where originally being absolute dimensions and lowering the existing ranges  are two new changes.  For example they lowered the maximum height for side reaches from  54 to 48 inches (308.3.1) 3) Chapter 4 eliminates the texture and contrasting color for the curb ramps.  This issue is being addressed by the Department of Justice and will have new ruling from that agency.  They also  are requiring a 36" landing on top and bottom of the ramp. 4) The parking spaces and access aisle for vans has been changed so that instead of the van  accessible aisle to be 96" wide, now it is 5'-0" but the van space is 132" wide. 5) They added a range to the distance for water closets from the wall to their center line and  made it 16"-18".  6)The clear floor space at water closets is now only allowed to be 5'-0" wide x 56" min. It can  no longer share space with a lavatory. 7) Childrens heights for water closets were added

8) Urinals now have to be 13 1/2" in depth to its rim from the mounting surface.

9) An exception allows for a parallel approach at kitchen sinks if there is no cook top or range. 

10) Signage now has a range for mounting heights from 48" to 60" and an 18" clear floor 

space centered on the sign is required.

For more information on the changes, The ADA Companion Guide is a comprehensive 

explanation of the new ADAAG.