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“Making Rural Development Multifamily Projects

Accessible” Based on work by Larry Fleming

RD Olympia State Office, April 2014

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• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973)

• The Fair Housing Amendments Act (1988)

• Americans With Disabilities Act (1991)

• The Architectural Barriers Act (1968)

Accessibility LawsFour Federal laws impact accessibility for MFH projects:

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Where it applies?ACT: APPLIES TO:

1.Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Federally owned and leased facilities (and “public” space financed by the Federal government)

2. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (UFAS – 5% fully accessible)

Federally funded facilities and programs

3. Fair Housing Amendments Act(2 story townhouses excluded)

Federally funded and privately funded housing, guaranteed loans (Design requirements apply to facilities with four or more units) – new construction.

4. Americans with Disabilities Act

all facilities which provide “public accommodation” and commercial facilities

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Examples of most common Site Plan accessibility issues:

No accessible route connecting major elements on site: parking-office-apartment- all amenities and public transportation.

There are prescribed maximum slopes to comply with law: the slope of walking surfaces in walking direction should not exceed 1:20 (5%), accessible parking not steeper than 1:50 (2%), ramps not steeper than 1:12 (8.333%), ramp landing 2% slope maximum, sidewalk in front of exterior door on the accessible route 2% maximum.…

EXAMPLE: FIG. 505.10.1 TOP AND BOTTOM HANDRAIL EXTENSIONS AT RAMPS FIG.

405.9 EDGE PROTECTION

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Example: FIG. 405.7 RAMP LANDINGS

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Example: 307.4 Vertical Clearance under the stairs shall be 80 inches minimum. Rails or other

barriers shall be provided where the vertical clearance is less than 80 inches

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Example: Changes in level greater than ½ inch (13 mm) in height shall be ramped.

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• Sidewalk or threshold

Example: FIG. 502.4 PARKING SPACE ACCESS AISLE 502.7 Identification

703.6.3.1. Signs identifying van parking spaces shall be 60 inches minimum above the floor of the parking

space.

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EXAMPLE: FIG. 404.2.3.2 MANEUVERING CLEARANCE AT MANUAL SWINGING DOORS

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Accessibility Requirements

• Purchase or Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings / Facilities– UFAS: make accessible “to the extent

possible”, (grants / direct loans) (judgement calls)

– ADA: only if / when item repaired, (guaranteed only loans)

• Self Evaluation / Transition Plan– Involve State Architect and / or Civil Rights

Coordinator / Manager

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Questions,

Answers

Thanks!