ADA Checklist
The Huntsville Community Center complies with ADA requirements to ensure all guests have equal access to our services. Continue reading for a detailed explanation for how our center complies with ADA regulations.
Priority 1: ACCESSIBLE APPROACH
1. Route of Travel
The facility does not require the use of stairs to approach the entrance. The entryway is over 48" wide and there are no objects protruding into the pathways. The front entryway has a cutout curb allowing access to the facility.
2. Parking and Drop-off Areas
There are 200 parking spaces in the lot and 8 are designated for accessible parking. All accessible spaces are marked with the International Symbol of Accessibility. There are six designated parking spots for handicap vehicles at the front of the parking lot. The spots are 8' with a 5' aisle for access. There are also two van accessible spots, 8' wide, with an 8' aisle for access. There are no vertical obstructions for the van. The spots have appropriate signage and there is a clear warning for violators. Anyone misusing the handicap spots will be immediately towed.
3. Entrance
The entrance is easily accessible without the use of a ramp. The front entry is a set of French doors 66" wide with 20" of wall space for opening the door. There is an accessibility button that opens the doors and keeps them open for 5 seconds. The doors are lightweight and can be opened with a closed fist if necessary. The handle is only 40" high. The mat in the front entry is only 1/4" high and is securely fastened to the ground.
Priority 2: ACCESS to GOODS and SERVICES
1. Circulation
The layout of the facility is specifically designed for all individuals to access services and obtain materials. The main entry provides direct access to the main floor and unobstructed access to an elevator that services the upper floors. Throughout the entire facility, routes of travel are a minimum of 36" wide. There are also Tshaped spaces for reversing direction if needed.
2. Doors
All doors are a minimum of 33" wide and in many cases are French doors with a 66" wide entry. Interior doors remain firmly opened during business hours. the basketball court is the only door that does not remain open; however, there is an accessibility button that opens the doors and keeps them open for 5 seconds. They are also lightweight and can be opened with a closed fist if necessary. All handles are only 40" high.
3. Rooms and Spaces
All aisles are a minimum of 36" wide. The floor surfaces are non-slip and all mats are securely fastened to the ground. Objects are within 27" of the floor for easy cane-detection. There is ample space for reversing direction in a Tshaped way.
4. Emergency Egress
All emergency exits are clearly labeled. Exits are also equipped with flashing lights and audible signals.
5. Signage
All areas are clearly labeled using raised letters, Grade II Braille and pictograms and are appropriately located beside the doors only 60" from the floor. The signs also comply with legibility requirements.
7. Seats/Tables/Counters
All of the aisles throughout the Community Center are at least 36” wide – many walkways and hallways throughout the facility range from 50” to 60”. All seating is portable/removable and wheelchair seating is provided in the café, classroom, conference room, café, and student center. Desks and tables are all 34” high with 20” deep knee space. The front desk and café counters are both 32” high.
8. Vertical Circulation/Stairs/Elevators
Each level (ground, first floor, and rooftop) is accessible by both stairs and elevators. Stairwells have continuous railings on both sides that extend beyond the bottom and top stairs. Call buttons for both elevators are located 42” high and have visually and audible indicators for door openings/closings and elevator direction. Inside the elevators, controls are 44” high and have raised Braille lettering including floor identification on each level. The emergency intercom is also identified by Braille and raised letters and can be used through both voice and keyboard communications.
Priority 3: RESTROOMS
1. Access
Every restroom is fully accessible. Some restrooms, in the office and multipurpose room for example, are single use – others, like the locker rooms, have multiple stalls with one accessible stall.
2. Doorways/Passages
Tactile signs are mounted 60” high on the latch side of the door – these signs identifying symbols, raised characters, and Braille. The doorway is 35” clear and equipped with door handles at 48” height. Every door handle can be operated with a closed fist. Each restroom has ample room for reversing direction in a wheelchair – every walkway is a minimum of 36” wide and provides an area with a five feet diameter.
3. Stalls
Each restroom door and stall door can be opened and closed with a closed fist. The single use restrooms all have a 5’ by 5’ area providing adequate room to move; the accessible stalls are 69” by 69”. Every single use restroom and accessible stall has a minimum of two grab bars – one behind the toilet and one on the nearest wall. All toilet seats are 17” high.
4. Lavatories
Every restroom sink rim is 34” high, has 29” of space between the bottom of the sink and the floor, and has a 30” wide by 48” deep clear space in front of it. Each faucet, soap dispenser, and hand dryers are automatic and there can be operated with a closed fist. The bottoms of the mirrors are not only mounted 40” high, but each restroom also includes a full-length mirror that is mounted 9” from the floor.
Priority 4: ADDITIONAL ACCESS
1. Drinking Fountains
Every drinking fountain has 48” of clear space in front of it (many have no obstructions at all) and all fountain spouts are 33” high. All controls are located on both the sides and front of the drinking fountains – these controls are push panels and can be easily operated by a closed fist. Each drinking fountain is located next to a counter or plant making it cane detectable.
2. Telephones
There are no public phones at the Community Center due to the common use of cell phones. Patrons may ask to use phones at the front desk or in the office if it is needed. The phone at the front desk is located on the counter that is 32” high. It has push-button controls and volume control. A patron Skype account is available on the office computers for patrons needing visual communication.
3. Playground and Pool
For the outdoor playground, half of all elevated play components are accessible. There is an accessible route to the top with no step higher than 8", and an accessible surface from the bottom back to the entrance. Half of the ground level play activities, same number as elevated components, have an accessible surfacing route to and around the activity. One of each type of ground level activity is accessible. The surface, rubber poured in place, is compliant with ASTM F 1951. Finally, the path connecting the play area and the sidewalk is made of rubber poured in place and it is 60" wide.
The pool is accessible via the pool lift, one for each pool area. The pathways around the pool are 48" wide and accessible without the use of stairs or ramps. There are non-slip pathways, secured to the floor, to ensure wheelchairs are easily maneuvered on the tile surface. These pathways also provide directional assistance for visually impaired guests.
Priority 1: ACCESSIBLE APPROACH
1. Route of Travel
The facility does not require the use of stairs to approach the entrance. The entryway is over 48" wide and there are no objects protruding into the pathways. The front entryway has a cutout curb allowing access to the facility.
2. Parking and Drop-off Areas
There are 200 parking spaces in the lot and 8 are designated for accessible parking. All accessible spaces are marked with the International Symbol of Accessibility. There are six designated parking spots for handicap vehicles at the front of the parking lot. The spots are 8' with a 5' aisle for access. There are also two van accessible spots, 8' wide, with an 8' aisle for access. There are no vertical obstructions for the van. The spots have appropriate signage and there is a clear warning for violators. Anyone misusing the handicap spots will be immediately towed.
3. Entrance
The entrance is easily accessible without the use of a ramp. The front entry is a set of French doors 66" wide with 20" of wall space for opening the door. There is an accessibility button that opens the doors and keeps them open for 5 seconds. The doors are lightweight and can be opened with a closed fist if necessary. The handle is only 40" high. The mat in the front entry is only 1/4" high and is securely fastened to the ground.
Priority 2: ACCESS to GOODS and SERVICES
1. Circulation
The layout of the facility is specifically designed for all individuals to access services and obtain materials. The main entry provides direct access to the main floor and unobstructed access to an elevator that services the upper floors. Throughout the entire facility, routes of travel are a minimum of 36" wide. There are also Tshaped spaces for reversing direction if needed.
2. Doors
All doors are a minimum of 33" wide and in many cases are French doors with a 66" wide entry. Interior doors remain firmly opened during business hours. the basketball court is the only door that does not remain open; however, there is an accessibility button that opens the doors and keeps them open for 5 seconds. They are also lightweight and can be opened with a closed fist if necessary. All handles are only 40" high.
3. Rooms and Spaces
All aisles are a minimum of 36" wide. The floor surfaces are non-slip and all mats are securely fastened to the ground. Objects are within 27" of the floor for easy cane-detection. There is ample space for reversing direction in a Tshaped way.
4. Emergency Egress
All emergency exits are clearly labeled. Exits are also equipped with flashing lights and audible signals.
5. Signage
All areas are clearly labeled using raised letters, Grade II Braille and pictograms and are appropriately located beside the doors only 60" from the floor. The signs also comply with legibility requirements.
7. Seats/Tables/Counters
All of the aisles throughout the Community Center are at least 36” wide – many walkways and hallways throughout the facility range from 50” to 60”. All seating is portable/removable and wheelchair seating is provided in the café, classroom, conference room, café, and student center. Desks and tables are all 34” high with 20” deep knee space. The front desk and café counters are both 32” high.
8. Vertical Circulation/Stairs/Elevators
Each level (ground, first floor, and rooftop) is accessible by both stairs and elevators. Stairwells have continuous railings on both sides that extend beyond the bottom and top stairs. Call buttons for both elevators are located 42” high and have visually and audible indicators for door openings/closings and elevator direction. Inside the elevators, controls are 44” high and have raised Braille lettering including floor identification on each level. The emergency intercom is also identified by Braille and raised letters and can be used through both voice and keyboard communications.
Priority 3: RESTROOMS
1. Access
Every restroom is fully accessible. Some restrooms, in the office and multipurpose room for example, are single use – others, like the locker rooms, have multiple stalls with one accessible stall.
2. Doorways/Passages
Tactile signs are mounted 60” high on the latch side of the door – these signs identifying symbols, raised characters, and Braille. The doorway is 35” clear and equipped with door handles at 48” height. Every door handle can be operated with a closed fist. Each restroom has ample room for reversing direction in a wheelchair – every walkway is a minimum of 36” wide and provides an area with a five feet diameter.
3. Stalls
Each restroom door and stall door can be opened and closed with a closed fist. The single use restrooms all have a 5’ by 5’ area providing adequate room to move; the accessible stalls are 69” by 69”. Every single use restroom and accessible stall has a minimum of two grab bars – one behind the toilet and one on the nearest wall. All toilet seats are 17” high.
4. Lavatories
Every restroom sink rim is 34” high, has 29” of space between the bottom of the sink and the floor, and has a 30” wide by 48” deep clear space in front of it. Each faucet, soap dispenser, and hand dryers are automatic and there can be operated with a closed fist. The bottoms of the mirrors are not only mounted 40” high, but each restroom also includes a full-length mirror that is mounted 9” from the floor.
Priority 4: ADDITIONAL ACCESS
1. Drinking Fountains
Every drinking fountain has 48” of clear space in front of it (many have no obstructions at all) and all fountain spouts are 33” high. All controls are located on both the sides and front of the drinking fountains – these controls are push panels and can be easily operated by a closed fist. Each drinking fountain is located next to a counter or plant making it cane detectable.
2. Telephones
There are no public phones at the Community Center due to the common use of cell phones. Patrons may ask to use phones at the front desk or in the office if it is needed. The phone at the front desk is located on the counter that is 32” high. It has push-button controls and volume control. A patron Skype account is available on the office computers for patrons needing visual communication.
3. Playground and Pool
For the outdoor playground, half of all elevated play components are accessible. There is an accessible route to the top with no step higher than 8", and an accessible surface from the bottom back to the entrance. Half of the ground level play activities, same number as elevated components, have an accessible surfacing route to and around the activity. One of each type of ground level activity is accessible. The surface, rubber poured in place, is compliant with ASTM F 1951. Finally, the path connecting the play area and the sidewalk is made of rubber poured in place and it is 60" wide.
The pool is accessible via the pool lift, one for each pool area. The pathways around the pool are 48" wide and accessible without the use of stairs or ramps. There are non-slip pathways, secured to the floor, to ensure wheelchairs are easily maneuvered on the tile surface. These pathways also provide directional assistance for visually impaired guests.