.... .... .... .... Accommodating Guests With Disabilities The Oregon State Independent Living Council (SILC) is established by executive order of the Governor. The council consists of a group of advocates, most of whom have disabilities, working together to further the SILC Mission: to promote choice, equal access, and full inclusion of people with disabilities, throughout the State of Oregon. Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires public accommodations to provide goods and services to people with disabilities on an equal basis with the rest of the general public. The passage of the ADA and the availability of technology and assistive devices have helped to increase equal access and inclusion of people with disabilities in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of American society. People with disabilities represent 20.6% of the general population. About 80% of the general population will eventually either have a disability or have a relative who is disabled. Seniors and people with disabilities represent a significant portion of taxpayers, consumers, travelers, and tourists. It makes moral and economic sense for businesses to consider this population as they design, remodel, and market their goods, services, and attractions. Accessibility Considerations Accessibility can often be accomplished very easily and inexpensively. Shown below are some simple things to consider in accommodating guests with disabilities. Accessible Approach/Entrance People with disabilities should be able to arrive on the site, approach buildings, and enter as freely as everyone else. • Is there a route of travel that does not require the use of stairs? • Is the route of travel stable, firm, and slip-resistant? • Is the route at least 36’ wide? • Do curbs on the route have curb cuts at drives, parking, and drop-offs? • Can objects protruding into circulation paths be detected by a person using a cane? (An object can be placed on the ground as a warning barrier.) Parking and Drop-off Areas • Are an adequate number of accessible parking spaces available (9 feet wide for car, plus 6 foot access aisle)? General rule: one accessible space for every 25 regular parking spaces. • Is one of every 8 accessible spaces van-accessible (9 foot wide, plus 8 foot access aisle, with 98 inches of vertical clearance)? • Are the accessible spaces closest to the accessible entrance? Entrance • Do inaccessible entrances have signs indicating the location of the nearest accessible entrance? • Do all doorways have at least a 32 inch clear opening? • Is there at least 18 inches of clear wall space on the pull side of the door, next to the handle? • Is the threshold edge 1/4 inch high or less? • Are door handles accessible (no higher than 48”) and operable with a closed fist? • Do exterior doors take less than 8 1/5 pounds of pressure to open, and interior doors take no more than 5 pounds of pressure to open? • If the door has a closer, does it take at least 3 seconds for the door to close? Controls and Signage • Are all controls and items available for use by the public (including electrical, mechanical, cabinet, game, light switches, heater controls, telephones, door locks, closet rods, irons, hair dryers, curtain/drape controls, and self-service controls) located at an accessible height (between 15” and 48” from the floor for forward approach by a wheelchair, or between 9” and 54” for a wheelchair side reach approach)? • Are signs, room numbers, etc. mounted on the wall closest to the door handle, with centerline 60 inches from the floor? Are signs also available in Braille? • Do elevator controls have raised lettering or Braille? Are floor levels indicated in Braille on elevator door jambs? Seats, Tables, Counters, Beds • Are aisles between fixed seating, tables, displays, beds, and aisles to restrooms, terraces, patios, etc. at least 36’ wide? • Are spaces for wheelchair seating distributed throughout? • Are tabletops or counters between 28 and 34 inches high? Emergency • Do emergency systems have both flashing lights and audible signals? • Are fire alarms and extinguishers within reach ranges of persons in wheelchairs? (Refer to Controls and Signage section above.) Access to Goods and Services Ideally, the layout of the facilities should allow people with disabilities to obtain materials or services without assistance. • Are counters, phones, brochures, maps, drinking fountains wheelchair accessible? • Are materials available in Braille upon request? • Is there a 5 foot circle or T-shaped space for turning a wheelchair? • Are carpets and mats low pile, tightly woven and secured at edges? • Can objects protruding into circulation paths be detected by a person using a cane? (An object can be placed on the ground as a warning barrier.) • Are TT or TDD phones, volume control phones, and hearing aid compatible phones available upon request? Guestrooms and Restrooms • Do doors to guest rooms and restrooms have levered hardware (operable with a closed fist) mounted no more than 48” above floor level? • Where fixed or built-in storage is provided in accessible units, is there at least one with levered or other shape handles permitting operation by wrist or arm pressure? • In accessible units are grab bars, shower, and bath controls installed at accessible levels? • Do sinks have clearance for a wheelchair to access (at least 27” high, 30” wide and 8” deep)? • Are faucet controls operable with a closed fist? • Are paper towels, toilet paper, soap dispensers, purse hangars, iron, ironing board, hairdryer, shampoo, soap, and other items within reach ranges of persons in wheelchairs? Resources If you would like more detailed information, or would like to schedule an in-depth site survey, you may contact any of Oregon’s Centers for Independent Living or the NW Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC). Many accommodations can be made simply and inexpensively by installing fixtures, amenities, and controls at low levels, by leaving space for accessible aisles, by using lever hardware for doors and faucets, or by using off-set, swing-clear hinges for doorways. Marketing material, signs, and brochures can be translated to Braille inexpensively. To locate contact information for one of Oregon’s Centers for Independent Living, go to www.orsilc.org and click on the link to “Centers for Independent Living Information.” To contact the NW Disability and Business Technical Center, go to www.dbtacnorthwest.org. Oregon State Independent Living Council 500 Summer St NE, E-87, Salem, OR 97301 Phone: (503) 945-6204 Fax: (503) 945-8991 ~ E-mail: oregon.silc@state.or.us ~ www.orsilc.org