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Office of Disability Rights

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Priority 1 - Accessible Approach and Entrance

Accessible Approach/Entrance

People with disabilities should be able to arrive on the site, approach the building, and enter as freely as everyone else. At least one route of travel should be safe and accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities.

ADA Checklist for Existing Facilities - Priority 1: Accessible Approach/Entrance
Access Type	Questions	Yes	No	Possible Solutions
Route of Travel (ADAAG 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.7)	Is there a route of travel that does not require the use of stairs?	___	___	___ Add a ramp if the route of travel is interrupted by stairs. ___ Add an alternative route on level ground.
	Is the route of travel stable, firm and slip-resistant?	___	___	___ Repair uneven paving. ___ Fill small bumps and breaks with beveled patches. ___ Replace gravel with hard top.
	Is the route at least 36 inches wide?	___ width: _____	___	___ Change or move landscaping, furnishings, or other features that narrow the route of travel. ___ Widen route.
	Can all objects protruding into the circulation paths be detected by a person with a visual disability using a cane? In order to be detected using a cane, an object must be within 27 inches of the ground. Objects hanging or mountedoverhead must be higher than 80 inches to provide clear head room. It is not necessary to remove objects that protrude less than 4 inches from the wall.	___ width: _____	___	___ Move or remove protruding objects. ___ Add a cane-detectable base that extends to the ground. ___ Place a cane-detectable object on the ground underneath as a warning barrier.
	Do curbs on the route have curb cuts at drives, parking, and drop-offs?	___	___	___ Install curb cut. ___ Add small ramp up to curb.
Ramps (ADAAG 4.8)	Are the slopes of ramps no greater than 1:12? Slope is given as a ratio of the height to the length. 1:12 means for every 12 inches along the base of the ramp, the height increases one inch. For a 1:12 maximum slope, at least one foot of ramp length is needed for each inch of height.	___ width: _____	___	___ Lengthen ramp to decrease slope. ___ Relocate ramp. ___ If available space is limited, reconfigure ramp to include switchbacks.
	Do all ramps longer than 6 feet have railings on both sides?	___	___	___ Add railings.
	Are railings sturdy, and between 34 and 38inches high?	___ height: _____	___	___ Adjust height of railing if not between 30 and 38 inches. ___ Secure handrails in fixtures.
	Is the width between railings or curbs at least 36 inches?	___ width: _____	___	___ Relocate the railings. ___ Widen the ramp.
	Are ramps non-slip?	___	___	___ Add non-slip surface material.
	Is there a 5-foot-long level landing at every 30-foot horizontal length of ramp, at the top and bottom of ramps and at switchbacks?	___ length: _____	___	___ Add non-slip surface material.
	Does the ramp rise no more than 30 inches between landings?	___ rise: _____	___	___ Remodel or relocate ramp.
Parking and Drop-Off Areas (ADAAG 4.6)	Are an adequate number of accessible parking spaces available (8 feet wide for car plus 5-foot access aisle)? For guidance in determining the appropriate number to designate, the table below gives the ADAAG requirements for new construction and alterations (for lots with more than 100 spaces, refer to ADAAG): Total spaces / Accessible 1 to 25 / 1 space 26 to 50 / 2 spaces 51 to 75 / 3 spaces 76 to 100 / 4 spaces	___ number of accessible spaces: ___ Note widths of existing accessible spaces: _____	___	___ Reconfigure a reasonable number of spaces by repainting stripes.
	Are 8-foot-wide spaces, with minimum 8-footwide access aisles, and 98 inches of vertical clearance, available for lift-equipped vans? At least one of every 8 accessible spaces must be van-accessible (with a minimum of one van-accessible space in all cases).	___ width/ vertical clearance: _____	___	___ Reconfigure to provide van-accessible space(s).
	Are the access aisles part of the accessible route to the accessible entrance?	___	___	___ Add curb ramps. ___ Reconstruct sidewalk.
	Are the accessible spaces closest to the accessible entrance?	___	___	___ Reconfigure spaces.
	Are accessible spaces marked with the International Symbol of Accessibility? Are there signs reading “Van Accessible” at van spaces?	___	___	___ Add signs, placed so that they are not obstructed by cars.
	Is there an enforcement procedure to ensure that accessible parking is used only by those who need it?	___	___	___ Implement a policy to check periodically for violators and report them to the proper authorities.
Entrance (ADAAG 4.13, 4.14, 4.5)	If there are stairs at the main entrance, is there also a ramp or lift, or is there an alternative accessible entrance? Do not use a service entrance as the accessible entrance unless there is no other option.	___	___	___ If it is not possible to make the main entrance accessible, create a dignified alternate accessible entrance. If parking is provided, make sure there is accessible parking near all accessible entrances.
	Do all inaccessible entrances have signs indicating the location of the nearest accessible entrance?	___	___	___ Install signs before inaccessible entrances so that people do not have to retrace the approach.
	Can the alternate accessible entrance be used independently?	___	___	___ Eliminate as much as possible the need for assistance—to answer a doorbell, to operate a lift, or to put down a temporary ramp, for example.
	Does the entrance door have at least 32 inches clear opening (for a double door, at least one 32-inch leaf)?	___ clear opening: _____	___	___ Widen the door to 32 inches clear. If technically infeasible, widen to 31-3/8 inches minimum. Install offset (swing-clear) hinges.
	Is there at least 18 inches of clear wall space on the pull side of the door, next to the handle? A person using a wheelchair or crutches needs this space to get close enough to open the door.	___ clear space: _____	___	___ Remove or relocate furnishings, partitions, or other obstructions. ___ Move door. ___ Add power-assisted or automatic door opener.
	Is the threshold edge 1/4-inch high or less, or if beveled edge, no more than 3/4-inch high?	___ height: _____	___	___ If there is a single step with a rise of 6 inches or less, add a short ramp. ___ If there is a threshold greater than 3/4-inch high, remove it or modify it to be a ramp.
	If provided, are carpeting or mats a maximum of 1/2-inch high?	___ height: _____	___	___ Replace or remove mats.
	Are edges securely installed to minimize tripping hazards?	___	___	___ Secure carpeting or mats at edges.
	Is the door handle no higher than 48 inches and operable with a closed fist? The “closed fist” test for handles and controls: Try opening the door or operating the control using only one hand, held in a fist. If you can do it, so can a person who has limited use of his or her hands.	___ height: _____	___	___ Lower handle. ___ Replace inaccessible knob with a lever or loop handle. __ Retrofit with an add-on lever extension.
	Can doors be opened without too much force (exterior doors reserved; maximum is 5 lbf for interior doors)? You can use an inexpensive force meter or a fish scale to measure the force required to open a door. Attach the hook end to the doorknob or handle. Pull on the ring end until the door opens, and read off the amount of force required. If you do not have a force meter or a fish scale, you will need to judge subjectively whether the door is easy enough to open.	___ force: _____		___ Adjust the door closers and oil the hinges. ___ Install power-assisted or automatic door openers. ___ Install lighter doors.
	If the door has a closer, does it take at least 3 seconds to close?	___ seconds: _____		___ Adjust door closer.