Accessibility Awareness Tour

Your task is to look both indoors and outdoors for aspects of the environment that impact howeasily those of us with disabilities, people pushing carts, mothers with strollers, etc. can get around the site and buildings where your event is held. Please review paths from parking to and between the buildings you are using. Pay attention to doorways, hallways, and the spaces you meet and eat in. Check out the restrooms, too.Look beyond ADA and regulations to universal design that allows everyone equal use of the site. Divide into teams. Assign teamsto cover specifiedsections of the form, or to assess different buildings.

Aspect / Task and Guidelines / Reasons / Comments/ Findings
A.
Parking / Are there designated (with signage) accessible parking spaces close to different buildings on the site? Yes__No__ Are parking spots closest to the access route? Yes__No__Are spots 8’ wide with adjacent 5’ access aisles? Yes__No__ Near each building is there one van accessible spot with an 8’ access aisle(with painted slash lines)on the right side of space? Yes__No__Can one reach the access route without crossing traffic or moving behind parked cars? Yes__No__Are there curb ramps close by? Yes__No__ / People with mobility impairment or medical restrictions often need to limit distance travel, as walking and manual wheelchair use can be strenuous. A clear space is needed on one side of the car or van to unload the wheelchair so the person can get in, or to let down the van ramp and exit. People using wheelchairs are lower than most pedestrians and are at risk when drivers back up and don’t see them.
B.
Directional Signage / Do signs direct drivers to accessible parking? Yes__No__To the shortest route to nearest accessible entrances? Yes__No__ Is it easy is to find your way around the campus? Yes__No__ / People need to see the signs from arrival points without getting out of the car, and to locate specific buildings throughout the site, without having to go out of the way. People with limited energy need the most direct route.
C.
Clear access route / As you walk the sidewalks and hallways pay attention to the available width -an easy way to do this is to carry a yardstick held across your body.Is the walkway at least 36” wide? Yes__No__Do curbs have curb ramps/ cuts?Yes__No__ Do paths and halls connect the entire route from accessible parking to the meeting rooms?Yes__No__To the dining room?Yes__No__To sleeping areas?Yes__No__ / People using mobility devices or pushing carts or strollers need an access route to accessible entrywaysand through hallways and rooms. Doorways can be 32” due to the protrusion of the door into the door frame space. Look at aisles, space between fixed furniture, and space to move around in eating areas. Note: some states require 44” width for sidewalks.
D.
Above ground clearance / Look for objects such as signposts, trash cans, flower pots, bushes and tree limbs that partially block the path or hallway. There are no overhanging objects lower than 80.” Yes__No__. Nothing protrudes into the path more than 4”without a barrier at 27” or lower,Yes__No__ Sidewalks are clear for the full 36 “(or 44”).Yes__No__ / If it is dark or you can’t see,low hanging or protruding objects could hit you in the face. People using a mobility and orientation canescandetect protruding objects if there is a barrier below. Bushes and flowers protruding into the pathway limit wheelchair and stroller access and could cause scratching.
E.
Path surface / Push a cart, wheelchair, or luggage. Are access paths made of material that is firm, stable, and slip resistant? Yes__No__ There are no gaps, rises, loose gravel, grass bumps? Yes__No__There are no sidewalks where the concrete has raised and an adjacent section is more than ¼” higher?Yes__No__ Is indoor carpet low pile with minimal padding? Yes__No__ / Wheels tend to get bogged down in loose surface materials and catch on loose objects like gravel or minor changes in surface height. These obstacles are hazardous for people using mobility assistive devices or who have poor balance. Thick pads and carpet require significantly more force for propelling wheelchairs.
F.
Level change / Look for sidewalks, pathways, and hallways that are inclined. Do inclines only slope in one direction?Yes__No__Do all walks and hallways that rise more than 1” every 20” have rails?Yes__No__ Is there a level landing every 30’ For long ramps and sidewalks? Yes__No__ / Sidewalks are ramps if they are not level, so need to meet the same standards as other ramps. Slight (1:48) cross slope is allowed so water drains off; anything steeper causes wheels to veer to the side and off the edge. Ramp use is fatiguing and people need breaks.
G.
Hazards / Are there tactile warnings on the pavement to indicate that one is entering traffic or other hazardous area? Yes__No__ Are grate openings perpendicular to the path of travel and no larger than ½”? Yes__No__ Is there protection from drop offs at the edges of sidewalks and bridges? Yes__No__ / A person who is blind and uses a cane needs to know when leaving the safety of a sidewalk and entering a parking lot or street. Wheels and high heels get caught in large grate openings. Path edges that aren’t level with the adjacent grass or surface can cause accidents and twisted ankles.
H.
Turning space / Is there a 60” x 60” turning space in front of entrance doors?Yes__No__ At turns on a ramp? Yes__No__ In accessible restroom stalls? Yes__No__ At passing intervals on sidewalks or in narrow hallways? Yes__No__ / Wheelchair sizes vary but most can turn completely in a 5’ x 5’ space. Otherwise a person needs to back out, and may accidentally back down a ramp or steps when opening doors.
I.
Railings / Are railings safe and easy to grip?Yes__No__ Do they extend at least the full length of the ramp or stairs, preferably 12” beyond? Yes__No__ Is the bottom ramp railno more than 4” from the surface or is there a curb at the edge? Yes__No__ / Many people need to hold something on steps or uneven ground for safety. It is easy to stumble if rails end before the ramp or stairway does. The lower rail or curb keeps a wheel or foot from slipping over the edge.
J.
Door opening / Are doors easy to open? Yes__No__ You should need no more than 10 lb. force to push or pull doors into buildings and 5 lbs. on inside doors.If you don’t have tools to measure just estimate. Are latches operable with a closed fist? Yes__No__ / It is difficult to push heavy doors open while balancing on crutches or using a walker or wheelchair, or when carrying a child or other load.An automatic door opener is a good option.
K.
Seating / Is there room for a wheelchair in more than one location in the main seating area? Yes__No__ Are wheelchair spaces next to the access route and 30” wide x 48” deep?Yes__No__Can a person seated in these spaces see the front of the room when others are standing? Yes__No__ Are there a variety of seats, e.g. with and without armrests, of different heights/ widths?Yes__No__ / Some of us prefer front seating and others the middle or back. People want to sit next to friends or family. Line of sight to the front needs to be considered when spaces are designated. Due to stature differences and medical concerns, having more than one type of seating is helpful, though not an ADA requirement.
L.
Reach / Is everything that needs to be reached no higher than 48” and no lower than 15”? e.g. paper towels?Yes__No__Soap?Yes__No__ Silverware? Yes__No__Food? Yes__No__Light switches? Yes__No__Alarm controls? Yes__No__ Vending machine controls and openings? Yes__No__Coat hooks or racks?Yes__No__ Elevator controls? Yes__No__ / Persons using wheelchairs and persons of short stature need to be able to access items and controls. 48” refers to reaching without obstruction, but if there is a counter in the way 44” is the maximum reach.
M.
Water access / Can someone who is short or uses a wheelchair get close to sinks and drinking fountains? Yes__No__Is the underside of the sink at least 27” with the counter 34” or lower? Yes__No__ Are faucet controls operable with a closed fist?Yes__No__Are Fountain spouts no higher than 36” and no more than 5” from the front edge?Yes__No__ / To get close to the sink and reach the controls a person using a wheelchair needs to get the chair armrests under the counter. Lever or motion detecting controls are easier to use. Two-level drinking fountains serve people who are seated or short and taller people at the same time.
N.
Toilet access / Are there separate family/ unisex toilet rooms, or large stalls so a person in a power wheelchair can use one with the door closed?Yes__No__If someone enters the stall or room can they pull the door closed behind them? Yes__No__ Is the toilet seat in the ADA stall 17 - 19” high?Yes__No__With a 33-36” high grab bar on the wall next to the toilet? Yes__No__Does the bar extend 54” from the back wall, with no obstacles in the way of the bar? Yes__No__ / Many toilet stalls are too small for someone using the larger power chairs to use without leaving the door open, and since the doors open out they are difficult to close unless there is a second handle or string attached to the door. There shouldn’t be obstacles interfering with grasping the grab bars. The bar needs to be long enough for a person to stand facing it and hold it with both hands.
O.
Room signage / Are rooms marked with signs that include raised large font(5/8”) and Braille inscriptions? Yes__No__Are the signs mounted on the door latch side of the wall, at 40“from the floor?Yes__No__Do signs have pictograms when appropriate? Yes__No__ / For people with low vision or who are blind, consistent use of ADA signage allows independent mobility once oriented to a building. Pictograms (graphic symbols) help people who don’t read English or cannot read.
P.
Contrast / Do signs have good color contrast? Yes__No__Whenever there is a change in level is there color contrast, e.g. a contrasting paint stripe at the front edge of the top and bottom step, or the edges of an interior ramp? Yes__No__ Is it easy to find light switches, doorways,and doorknobs? Yes__No__ / Use of contrasting colors improves safety for people with low vision and anyone who is distracted when walking. Interior ramps are hazardous if not noticed. It is easy to miss a step when steps are covered in floral carpet. Controls and doors are easier to locate if a different color than the wall.
Q.
Lighting / Is it easy to read small print in class and meeting rooms? Yes__No__ To see signs and recognize faces in hallways? Yes__No__To see speakers/ leaders in the front of the group? Yes__No__Is lighting focused on the speaker’s face? Yes__No__Does the lighting avoid any blinding glare? Yes__No__ / Lighting is important for safety and vision. Skylights, waxed floors, moving from bright to dark spaces, etc. are difficult for people with diminished vision and may cause falls. For people who speech (lip) read avoid strong lighting behind speakers/ leaders.
R.
Hearing assist / Is there signage indicating availability of assistive listening devices and an audio loop?Yes__No__ Printed transcripts? Yes__No__ Is amplification used for groups in any room larger than a classroom? Yes__No__Do the acoustics support conversation and suppress background noise? Yes__No__ / Signs will be your best indicators during an Awareness Tour. People with hearing loss can be supported with a variety of technology depending on whether they use a hearing aid or not, whether it has a T-switch or not. Look for loop and headset options as well as earbuds.
S.
Alarms / Are both auditory and visual (strobe lights)fire alarms provided? Yes__No__ / People with vision loss and those who are Deaf need to be aware of fire alarms.

Comments:

Tools:

  • Yardstick
  • Tape measure
  • Something with wheels – cart, stroller, wheelchair, luggage on wheels
  • Clipboards
  • If available: push force tool

Key: Use a “+” for every positive example you find and a “-“ for every example that doesn’t meet accessibility guidelines. Keep a tally in the Comments section. Take pictures or write down specific items to share with the group.

Note: Complex ADA regulations were combined and simplified for the purpose of teaching basic accessibility standards. This tool is not a formal ADA audit. State regulations may vary. For church accessibility audits see ADA guidelines are available at http://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm.

DisAbility Ministries Committee of the United Methodist Church 2014Page 1