Conference Facility Access Checklist Instructions

September 14, 1999

The purpose of this access checklist is to aid in the evaluating sites for conferences at colleges or conference centers. This checklist does not evaluate all the items of a full ADA evaluation, just the most important items for the mobility and sensory disabled people who may attendthe conference.

This check list attempts to be quantitative but eventually a subjective decision must be made. The goal is to assure that any site considered meets the minimum standard. It is unlikely that a site will meet all the ADA Access Guidelines. This checklist assigns scores to individual items but a way to compare sites only on score doesn’t appear practical. The weights assigned to each specific item attempts to assign the relative importance of the item for disabled access.

What is the minimum standard?

The proposed minimum standard for conference sites includes the following. A level or ramped (short 5 steps or less) access building for Dining, dorms, children’s programs, and meeting rooms. The standard for accessible meeting rooms is all large meeting areas, children’s programs, informal affinity groups, and approximately 50% of the break out rooms. One dorm must have level or ramped access with a capacity of 20-30 people and an ADAAG 4.17.3 Standard bathroom Stall ( min. 60” wide by 56” deep). Other dorms can be inaccessible assuming people can be assigned the dorm that works for them. So beyond our minimum standard it is convenient if all the dorms are accessible if possible.

It is important that there are sufficient bathrooms meeting ADAAG 4.17.3 distributed around the site but a minimum would be in one dorm, in the dining and/or large meeting area, and in the primary building for break out rooms.

Organization of the Access Checklist

The check list is organized by buildings which are individually scored with a maximum compliance score of 25. Start by entering the building name and the purpose some purposes are suggested on the form but can be changed as needed.

1. Parking and Accessible Route:

A building in evaluated from a starting point of finding a parking space in the nearest parking area to the building. If there are marked disabled parking spots enter the number of spots. Also enter the number of van accessible spots (15-ft. total width with an access isle on the passengers side). Then look for the accessible route from the parking lot to the building curbs and steps don’t count look for the wheel chair route. If an accessible route exists check the box or enter the measured distance in the box. These items might not apply to all buildings.

2. Building Access:

			Building Access
	Steps	Lift	Ramp	Level Access	Power Doors
Weight:	0	2	4	8	5

Looking at the obvious main entrance of the building, how does one get inside the building. If there are steps count the number and enter in the box on the form. Also, look for an obvious sign indicating the accessible route into the building maybe a ramp on the side of the steps. Check the box if the accessible entrance is clearly signed. Enter the score only for the most accessible way into the building. If there are power door openers test them to make sure they work. If they do enter the bonus score of 5. If there is a ramp make sure you enter the number of steps, that is an indication of how high the ramp is. It is useful to measure the actual length and slope of the ramp. Note door threshold heights if more than 1/4 inch.

If there is a platform lift make sure to test it if possible make sure it is loaded to about 550 lbs. with multiple people. That is a typical weight of a power wheel chair with a 200 lb. person. Measure the size of the platform and put in the notes field. Incline lifts or stair seat lifts are not acceptable.

3. Inside the Building:

	Inside			Bathroom
	Elevator/1 level	AC	High Toilet	Grab Bars	30" Side
Weight:	5	2	2	1	2

These items deal with the inside of the building and moving between floors and for comfort on hot days.

Elevator/1 level : Enter this item if a commercial elevator is provided to go between floors or every room is on 1 level. Platform lifts are not sufficient - but note them on the form.

AC: Air conditioning. Enter if available -- important to some who are heat sensitive and all for comfort.

4. Bathrooms in the Building:

These items deal with the accessible bathroom(s) in the building. If the main bathrooms are not accessible look for a uni-sex accessible bathroom. Both the men's and the woman's restrooms must be accessible

High Toilet: Enter this item if the toilet is 17-19 inches tall. MEASURE since the exact height is important. If not 17-19 inches please enter the exact measured height in the notes.

Grab Bars: Enter this item if there are ADAAG standard Grab Bars on the wall beside the toilet and behind the toilet.

30" Side: Enter this item if the toilet meets the ADAAG standards for lateral (side) transfer. MEASURE since the exact space is important. Side Transfer means to back the wheel chair parallel to the toilet and then slide sideways from the chair onto and off of the toilet. Measure from the side of the toilet seat to the furthest wall for 30" or more. The minimum standard for stalls is 5 ft square.

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