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ADA Guidelines for Access Control
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination
in and ensures equal access to employment, government services, public
accommodations, transportation, and commercial facilities for persons with
disabilities. Some of the guidelines and requirements from this law can be
applied to access control. Because many local municipalities have much
stricter standards than the ADA, we strongly recommend that owners,
builders, and installers consult a qualied expert in local, state, and federal
interpretations of ADA and similar laws. For more information about the
ADA, visit the ADA web site at www.ada.gov or the Department of Justice
ADA web site at www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/ or call the ADA Information Line
at (800) 514-0301. Many communities have adopted the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) as the standard for locating devices that the general
public will use.
Recommendations for Sites
The ADA and other similar laws are open to some degree of interpretation
by local authorities and courts. It is in your best interest to familiarize
yourself with the complete requirements for ADA and other similar local
laws. Most important, however, is to work to provide reasonable access to
your services by persons of all abilities. Below are some recommendations
that may help.
• Contact a local inspector or architect who can provide assistance in
designing the access to your facility with respect to ADA and other
similar laws
• Visit the ADA web site or call the information line listed above
• Provide adequate, well-lit signs (written, picture, and Braille)
• Design hallways with adequate room for wheelchairs
• Provide adequate access to all keypads, access devices, and
elevator controls as provided for in ADA
• Use keypads with proximity cards or key fobs and audible signals to
provide greater access exibility
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