WASHINGTON -– The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has released a new guidebook, Guide to the 2010 ADA Standards, to help architects, space planners, property managers and other property professionals meet the new requirements of the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The new guidebook provides a comprehensive update to BOMA’s 1991 publication ADA Compliance Guidebook: A Checklist for Your Building and is the most up-to-date and in-depth analysis of the new ADA regulations. The 2010 ADA Standards are the first update to federal accessibility standards since the initial ADA Standards were issued in 1991.

The new guidebook helps property professionals understand and implement the revised Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) design standards implementing Title III of the ADA, adopted by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2010. The guide includes updated requirements for accessible routes and a variety of building elements, including employee work spaces, restrooms, reach ranges, sales and service counters, stairways, telephones, special rooms and spaces, recreation facilities and much more. It also includes updated policies and practices impacting services animals, power driven mobility devices such as Segway® Personal Transporters, and communication services such as video conferencing remote interpreting.

“Making our buildings accessible for all people is a top priority in our industry and we are proud to lead the way in helping property professionals comply with the latest standards,” remarked BOMA International Chair Boyd R. Zoccola, executive vice president, Hokanson Companies Inc. “This guidebook is an unmatched resource for understanding the new rules and implementing them correctly, making it an essential publication for industry professionals.”

BOMA International has been a recognized leader in accessibility since the ADA was signed into law in 1991 and has had extensive input in key accessibility forums, including the ANSI A117 Committee and the ADA Accessibility Guidelines Review Advisory Committee.  Both committees have worked to set a foundation for consistency between accessibility requirements of federal law, model codes, and state and local regulations.

BOMA and its industry coalition partners led an effort to secure two critical elements to help facilitate a less complicated and more cost-effective transition to the new rules. The first is a broad "grandfather" clause that exempts all building elements that were constructed or altered in compliance with the 1991 rules. This grandfather exemption is in effect until those elements are subject to a planned alteration and also applies to the “path of travel” to an altered area. The second is the inclusion of a reasonable time within which to comply with the new rules. The revised regulations became effective on March 15, 2011 but are not mandatory for new construction and alterations and barrier removal until March 15, 2012.

Contact FacilitiesNet Editorial Staff »   posted on: 9/30/2011