Appendix A
Accessability

This Appendix is included primarily to aid non-design professionals in understanding accessibility requirements. Architects and engineers should consult the latest ADAAG and UFAS regulations.

Note that the following information is in feet and inches because the codes and regulations that they reference are expressed in that manner. If the contract calls for drawings to be in metric, it is the A/E’s responsibility to express all dimensions metrically.

ACCESSIBLE ROUTE
Passage width: The minimum clear width of aisles and corridors for children’s wheelchairs is 3 feet with passing space of 5 feet provided at least every 66 feet.

ALARMS
Care must be taken to prevent audible signals greater than 90dbo to prevent hearing damage in young children.

CONTROLS AND OPERATING MECHANISMS
Forward and side reach: Maximum high reach is 35 inches; minimum low reach is 20 inches.

CURB RAMPS
Curbs must have cuts that comply with UFAS requirements.

DOORS
Doors should be accessible but not so easily that young children could escape. Keep in mind that doors must be operable only by adults. Hardware on doors leading out of classrooms should be installed as high as possible – 48 inches AFF. Hardware on doors to toilets serving the classroom should be as low as practical for the age group. Minimum door width is 32 inches with a 5-foot deep landing area in front of all ramps, gates, and doors. For doors providing evacuation cribs access to exits, the minimum width is 3 feet.

DRINKING FOUNTAINS
Drinking fountain controls are front or side operable. The spout should be a maximum of 29.5 inches above the finished floor. Clearance under the unit is not required if clear floor space for a parallel approach is provided. Also, provide a clear floor space of 30 inches x 48 inches to allow a child in a wheelchair to approach the unit facing forward.

ELEVATORS
Elevator controls should be installed as high as possible so that young children cannot interfere with their operation.

FAUCETS
Faucets on children’s lavatories may be fitted with sanitary and energy conserving automatic controls, but the designer must ensure that these devices will be acceptable to local licensing authorities before specifying them. Faucet controls mounted on the face or rim of counter surface should be no greater than 14 inches from the leading edge.

FIXED OR BUILT-IN SEATING AND TABLES
Fixed or built-in seating or tables used primarily by Head Start and Early Head Start children who are age 5 are not required to be accessible if parallel side approach is provided. Tops of accessible counters and tables shall be 26 inches to 30 inches above the floor. If knee space is required, it shall be at least 24 inches high, 30 inches wide and 19 inches deep. Clear floor space also must be provided.

HANDRAILS
A second set of handrails with a gripping surface shall be provided a maximum of 28 inches above the floor. Elements of the adult handrail shall not interfere with the children’s handrail. Nine inches must be provided between handrails to prevent entrapment.

LAVATORIES AND MIRRORS
Lavatories used by Head Start children and Early Head Start children are not required to have knee or apron clearance if a side parallel approach is provided.

Mirrors must be mounted over the sink with the bottom edge no higher than 29.5 inches above the finished floor. Provide one full-length mirror with the bottom edge a maximum of 18 inches above the finished floor. All mirrors are to be shatterproof.

RAMPS
Maximum slope and rise is 1:16; a slope and rise of l: 20 are preferred if space is available. The maximum is 1:12.

SIGNAGE
Children’s signs shall be mounted a maximum of 40 inches above the floor.

SINKS
Sinks used by Head Start and Early Head Start are not required to have knee or apron clearance if a side parallel approach is provided.

SPACE ALLOWANCE AND REACH RANGES
Circulation surfaces leading to play events in the play yards shall accommodate wheelchair access and use.

Improper reach ranges create unsafe situations in Head Start and Early Head Start centers. Electrical plugs, switches, fire alarm pulls, intercoms, etc. fascinate children. These devices must be kept away from curious hands. The maximum side reach for an adult in a wheelchair is 54” from a side approach. Although 60” is preferred, 54” will keep most children safe.

STORAGE
Closets and storage areas should not be accessible to children.

Built in or fixed storage accessible to children shall be located at 20 inches to 44 inches above the finished floor.

Clothes hanger rods, coat hooks, or shelves shall be located 36 inches to 44 inches maximum above the finished floor.

TOILET STALLS
Toilets and toileting are major issues in Head Start centers. Children become “toilet trained” within a broad range of ages but at an average age of 2 years. Before this time, they are diapered. Until the age of 5 or 6, toilets are an extension of the classroom, where children learn proper health habits. Therefore, properly designed Head Start centers have toilets directly accessible to the classroom not multiple toilets as used in elementary schools. The most pressing problem in Head Start classroom design is the application of the regulations to every toilet room. BOCA Code states that non-required bathrooms, designed for children’s use are not required to be accessible. Generally, toilet rooms will be located between two classrooms.

If the tank height or the flush valve prevent the placement of a grab bar over a fixture, a 24-inch grab bar may be placed (offset) to the wide side.

TOWEL DISPENSERS
Towel dispensers should be mounted beside or in close proximity to the sinks. No dispensers within a child’s reach should have serrated edges.

WATER CLOSETS
Toilets shall be sized for the intended age.

Children’s toilets should have (at a minimum) one-side grab bar in the children’s toilet area. In areas designated as accessible, there should be two grab bars on each side plus one on the back wall. In all cases, follow the most recent requirements established by ADAAG.

Flush controls should be mounted 19.5 inches to 29.5 inches above the finished floor on the wide side of toilet areas.

Toilet paper dispensers should be mounted 13.5 inches above the finished floor within children’s reach.

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