Museums ADA Compliance January 16, 2013

ADA Titles 2 Privately operated museums are covered by Title III of the ADA Museums operated by state or local government are covered by Title II of the ADA Museums that receive Federal funding – whether covered by Title II or III are also covered by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (C) United Spinal Association 2013

New Construction & Alterations 3 Permits and permit extensions issued after 3/15/2012 must comply with 2010 Standards Start of construction to be used where permit is not issued. This does not mean ceremonies or site clearing. (C) United Spinal Association 2013

Barrier Removal 4 On or after 3/15/2012, elements not complying with or were not required by the 1991 Standards must be modified to comply with 2010 Standards Elements complying with 1991 Standards not undergoing alteration after 3/15/2012 do not have to be modified to comply with new standard (C) United Spinal Association 2013

Historic Buildings Give priority to methods that provide physical access to individuals with disabilities Not required to take any action that would threaten or destroy the historic significance of an historic property However must use alternative methods of achieving program accessibility (C) United Spinal Association

Historic Buildings Alternate methods - Using audio-visual materials and devices to depict those portions of an historic property that cannot otherwise be made accessible Assigning persons to guide individuals with disabilities into or through portions of historic properties that cannot otherwise be made accessible Adopting other innovative methods (C) United Spinal Association

New Definitions Mobility Device Service Animal (C) United Spinal Association

Mobility Device 8 Two tiered approach Wheelchairs and other devices designed for use by individuals with mobility disabilities - canes, crutches, walkers must be permitted in all areas open to pedestrian use (C) United Spinal Association 2013

Mobility Device 9 Other power-driven mobility devices (those not primarily designed for use by individuals with mobility disabilities) must be permitted to be used unless the covered entity can demonstrate that such use would (i) fundamentally alter its programs, services, or activities; (ii) create a direct threat to others; or (iii) conflict with legitimate safety requirements (C) United Spinal Association 2013

Service Animals 10 Only include a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability (C) United Spinal Association 2013

Service Animals 11 Other animals, wild or domestic, are no longer considered service animals Trained miniature horses may be an exception An emotional support animal (any animal that provides emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship) is not to be considered a service animal However, psychiatric service dogs are recognized; for example, a dog can be trained to “ground” a person with a psychiatric disorder (C) United Spinal Association 2013

Assembly - Accessible Seating 12 Significant reduction in large facilities Facilities with seats must have six accessible seating locations (wheelchair location and companion seat) plus one additional accessible seating location for every additional 150 fixed seats above 500 in the general seating area (800 seat facility must have = 8) Facilities with 5001 or more fixed seats in the general seating area must have 36 accessible seating locations plus one additional accessible seating location for every 200 fixed seats above 5000 in the general seating area (C) United Spinal Association 2013

Assembly - Accessible Seating 13 Individuals who need to use accessible seating because of a mobility disability Individuals who need to use accessible seating because their disability requires the use of the accessible features that are provided in accessible seating Companions (C) United Spinal Association /7/10

Accessible Seating 14 (C) United Spinal Association /7/10

Accessible Seating 15 Companion seats may be movable as long as they provide Shoulder-to-shoulder alignment Located at the same floor elevation as the wheelchair location Size, quality, comfort, & amenities are equal to other seating in the area (C) United Spinal Association /7/10

Designated Aisle Seats 16 Five percent of the total number of aisle seats Previously was one percent of all seats (C) United Spinal Association 2013

Assistive Listening Systems Number of receivers required is based on seating capacity Assistive listening systems Capacity of Seating in Assembly Area Minimum Number of Required Receivers Minimum Number of Required Receivers Required to be Hearing-aid Compatible 50 or less22 51 to 200 2, plus 1 per 25 seats over 50 seats to 500 2, plus 1 per 25 seats over 50 seats 1 per 4 receivers 501 to , plus 1 per 33 seats over 500 seats 1 per 4 receivers 1001 to , plus 1 per 50 seats over 1000 seats 1 per 4 receivers 2001 and over55 plus 1 per 100 seats over 2000 seats 1 per 4 receivers (C) United Spinal Association

Assistive Listening Systems Assistive listening systems are required in spaces where communication is integral to the space and audio amplification is provided Requirement is no longer tied to having fixed seats (C) United Spinal Association

Assistive Listening Systems Availability must be identified by the international symbol (C) United Spinal Association

Effective Communication (C) United Spinal Association Not a New Provision Must take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with people with disabilities are as effective as communications with others Including – Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs), Captioning, Qualified Interpreters, Large Print, Braille

Effective Communication Apps for mobile devices can be used to translate spoken word into ALS, provide audio description of exhibits, and use GPS as way finding Examples – Arizona Sonora Desert Museum - visitors can navigate the 21 acre museum with their smart phones using app called MyGeoTrex, a GPS-based app that gives information about the exhibits Werribee Open Range Zoo - OpenMi Excursions is a smart phone app that offers interactive and accessible learning through captions and Australian Sign Language (C) United Spinal Association

Sales Counters Accessible counter – 36 inches above the finished floor and identified with access symbol (C) United Spinal Association

Queue Lines Queue lines must be set at least 36 inches wide. Queue lines can create a tripping hazard for individuals with low vision or who are blind. (C) United Spinal Association

Display Labels Characters and their background shall have a non-glare finish. Characters shall contrast with their background with either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background. Additional factors affecting the ease with which the text can be distinguished from its background include shadows cast by lighting sources, surface glare, and the uniformity of the text and its background colors and textures. (C) United Spinal Association

Example of poor color contrast (C) United Spinal Association

Example of good color contrast (C) United Spinal Association

Display Label Minimum character height shall comply with Table Viewing distance shall be measured as the horizontal distance between the character and an obstruction preventing further approach towards the sign. Character height shall be based on the uppercase letter "I". (C) United Spinal Association

Visual Character Height Height to Finish Floor or Ground from Baseline of Character Horizontal Viewing DistanceMinimum Character Height 40 inches to less than or equal to 70 inches less than 72 inches5/8 inch 72 inches and greater5/8 inch, plus 1/8 inch per foot of viewing distance above 72 inches Greater than 70 inches to less than or equal to 120 inches less than 180 inches2 inches 180 inches and greater2 inches, plus 1/8 inch per foot of viewing distance above 180 inches Greater than 120 inchesless than 21 feet3 inches 21 feet and greater3 inches, plus 1/8 inch per foot of viewing distance above 21 feet (C) United Spinal Association

Display Label Sloped labels allow inspection by all (C) United Spinal Association

Wall Labels Height that is comfortable for those seated and standing is between 48 and 67 inches Centerline at 54 inches above the floor is optimum height (C) United Spinal Association

Free-standing Display Case 36 inches (C) United Spinal Association

Free-standing Display Case Best practice (C) United Spinal Association

Free-standing Display Case Good Examples Bad Example (C) United Spinal Association

Interactive Displays (C) United Spinal Association Reach range 48 inches maximum and 15 inches minimum for unobstructed front or side reach

Interactive Displays (C) United Spinal Association Reach range Obstructed front and side reach

Interactive Displays (C) United Spinal Association Accessible work surface Provide at least one station with a minimum of 27 inches of knee clearance underneath work surface with 17 – 25 inches of depth for knee and toe clearance underneath the desk/station for people who use wheelchairs Toe ClearanceKnee Clearance

Interactive exhibits Operable parts Provide operable parts that can be used with a closed fist and mount these parts between 15 and 48 inches above the finished floor Ensure that more than 5 pounds of force is not required to operate the part (C) United Spinal Association

Space Requirements Path of travel 36 inch minimum clear width required with a 60 inch wide passing space every 200 feet Best practice – 60 inch wide path (C) United Spinal Association

Limits of Protruding Objects (C) United Spinal Association

Protruding Objects Bottom edge of stairway is less than 80 inches above floor 40 (C) United Spinal Association 2013

Protruding Objects Cane detection (C) United Spinal Association

Protruding Objects (C) United Spinal Association

Protruding Objects A sign mounted within the circulation path protrudes 6 inches and the leading edge is 29 inches above the finished floor (C) United Spinal Association

Protruding Objects Exhibit planning – 30 inches above floor and protrudes more than 4 inches (C) United Spinal Association

Protruding Object More examples (C) United Spinal Association

Protruding Object Less obvious example – protrudes 7 inches at a 54 inches (C) United Spinal Association

Program Access Virtual tours Lectures Handouts (C) United Spinal Association

Restaurants & Bars 48 5% of the total number of general seating spaces and standing spaces at dining surfaces must be accessible (with accessible knee and toe clearances) and located along an accessible route (100 seats = 5 accessible) Previously the number of accessible seating was based on the number of dining tables (20 tables = 1 table) (C) United Spinal Association 2013

Common issues Protruding objects Effective communication Information not provided in various formats Labels that do not meet sign requirements Printed materials not provided in alternate formats Programs not accessible to all patrons Insufficient directional signage Ancillary spaces (i.e. toilet rooms, coat checks) (C) United Spinal Association

United Spinal Association Astoria Boulevard East Elmhurst, New York (C) United Spinal Association