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vaughnmr · 09-02-2012, 11:59 AM

I too am familiar with the ADA requirements, having spent the last 12 years in architectural design. I believe it's one of the best things that have happened to building design, although there is a lot of resistance from the "old school" folks, the ones that will often say "but that's the way we've always done it!". These same folks are usually the ones that resist the new code requirements for structural design also.

There is no grandfather clause for older buildings; however, they are only required to do what work is considered "readily achievable to do so".

Existing Facilities

Title III Entities: Places of Businesses

Facilities built prior to the passage of the ADA, still have an obligation to remove barriers when it is readily achievable to do so.

Readily achievable means easily accomplishable and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense.

Many building features that are common in older facilities such as narrow doors, a step or a round door knob at an entrance door, or a crowded check-out or store aisle are barriers to access by people with disabilities. Removing barriers by ramping a curb, widening an entrance door, installing visual alarms, or designating an accessible parking space is often essential to ensure equal opportunity for people with disabilities. Because removing these and other common barriers can be simple and inexpensive in some cases and difficult and costly in others, the regulations for the ADA provide a flexible approach to compliance. This practical approach requires that barriers be removed in existing facilities only when it is readily achievable to do so. The ADA does not require existing buildings to meet the ADA's standards for newly constructed facilities.

Note: There is no "Grandfather Clause" in the ADA. All buildings, regardless of age, are required to remove whatever barriers that are considered "readily achiveable".

09-02-2012, 11:59 AM	#37
vaughnmr Ebook Reader Posts: 605 Karma: 3205128 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Device: Kindle 3, HTC Evo, HTC View	I too am familiar with the ADA requirements, having spent the last 12 years in architectural design. I believe it's one of the best things that have happened to building design, although there is a lot of resistance from the "old school" folks, the ones that will often say "but that's the way we've always done it!". These same folks are usually the ones that resist the new code requirements for structural design also. There is no grandfather clause for older buildings; however, they are only required to do what work is considered "readily achievable to do so". Existing Facilities Title III Entities: Places of Businesses Facilities built prior to the passage of the ADA, still have an obligation to remove barriers when it is readily achievable to do so. Readily achievable means easily accomplishable and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense. Many building features that are common in older facilities such as narrow doors, a step or a round door knob at an entrance door, or a crowded check-out or store aisle are barriers to access by people with disabilities. Removing barriers by ramping a curb, widening an entrance door, installing visual alarms, or designating an accessible parking space is often essential to ensure equal opportunity for people with disabilities. Because removing these and other common barriers can be simple and inexpensive in some cases and difficult and costly in others, the regulations for the ADA provide a flexible approach to compliance. This practical approach requires that barriers be removed in existing facilities only when it is readily achievable to do so. The ADA does not require existing buildings to meet the ADA's standards for newly constructed facilities. Note: There is no "Grandfather Clause" in the ADA. All buildings, regardless of age, are required to remove whatever barriers that are considered "readily achiveable".