1. Brandeis Hall Cafeteria: An Architectural Barrier Assessment
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Folatimi Akinrinade, Morgan Chapman, Shelby Surmeier, & Jianqiu Xiao

2. A. Offstreet Parking/ Passenger Loading
Reconfigure to provide van accessible space(s)
Patch/fix potholes and holes in brickwork for safety – especially potholes in crosswalk to other side of street
Reconfigure cul-de-sac drop off area for safety
Clearly mark curb cuts in cul-de-sac drop off area to ensure they are always available for use
Findings
Recommendations
Parking was not conveniently located in relation to building – had to park across street in parking garage
There is a cul-de-sac drop off area located on same side of street as the building, but drop off areas aren’t clearly designated 
Parking garage:
4 levels – one is on top and the most handicap accessible
Approximately 150 parking spaces on top level
6 marked handicap accessible spaces (none designated for vans)
Width of route: 36+ inches – sidewalks were all of adequate width
Type of surface: pavement & bricks intermixed; bricks could be avoided depending on curb cut used to access sidewalk; multiple potholes
Features that narrow path: landscaping did not narrow path, but made it so that sidewalks had curves to follow

3. B. Approach to Selected Entrance
Findings
Recommendations
Decrease slope of sidewalk in cul-de-sac drop off area and leading to/from crosswalk for crossing the street
If cannot decrease either of these recommend thorough and consistent maintenance in adverse weather (i.e. ice melt, adequate snow removal)
Signage for inaccessible entrances: N/A as primary access point is accessible (other access points are currently not accessible to anyone due to construction)
Distance from parking area to entering facility: Approximately 410 feet to handicap parking on top of ramp; Approximately 249 feet to cul- de-sac drop off area
Slope of loading zone  door of building: No objective slope measurements available, but slope was low grade along entire route from door  drop off location then there is a steeper slow downhill to get access to drop-off area or crosswalk

4. C. Entrance Recommendations Findings
Potentially could have both doors open when automatic button is pressed for extra clearance or to allow for larger w/c or bariatric w/c
Recommendations
Findings
Thresholds/surfaces: Threshold met ADA standards and measured at 1/5 inch
Open doorway measurement: compliant at 36 in for one doorway (only 1 opens if automatic button is used)
Type of doors: Double doors but only 1 opens when automatic button is pressed; Accessible for w/c, walker, cane, etc.
Technology to open doors: Automatic buttons to enter & exit door are at appropriate height & door handles were lever type and in. from the ground so it is complaint with ADA standards

5. D. Access to Essential Areas
Findings
Recommendations
Rearrange chairs or tables to provide 36-inch aisles
Rearrange tables to allow room for wheelchairs in seating areas throughout the area without w/c user having to move chair on their own
Replace tables – increase knee depth
Relocate controls/consider moving certain food items to make them more accessible from a w/c or to decrease the amount of stretch/reach necessary
Lower cashier stand to make card swiping to pay for meal more accessible
Public services on accessible route: 90% of food service area was w/c accessible; “cash register” where students swipe card was out of ADA compliance measuring 47.5 in tall; elevators went to all floors of the building; Five foot T-space: More than adequate T- space for turning in w/c in all areas except for in certain dining areas with tables/chairs being too close together (in these areas aisles were < 36 in.)
Accessibility of toilets/eating area: No spots indicated for w/c use, but all chairs at tables were removable; Sitting at end of table in w/c the tables were ADA compliant except for depth of knee space which was only 17.5 in; tables/countertops were ADA compliant measuring 33.5 in.; Some self service controls related to food (ice-cream machines, silverware, etc.) were > 54 in. & not ADA compliant; Restrooms were located down the hall from dining area & are discussed in greater detail on slide 6
Emergency Exits: None of the emergency exits were accessible – even back ones were closed for construction currently but had steps; emergency systems were present with both flashing & audible features
Floor plan: Refer to slide 11 for photo of floor plan

6. E. Public Restrooms Findings Recommendations
Replace knobs or latches with lever or loop handles on w/c accessible stall
Replace handles on entrance to restroom with lever type handles
One of the following:
Install lighter doors
Install power-assisted doors
Remove obstructions in aisles (i.e. trash can)
Replace or provide additional accessible soap dispensers
Entrance door: Signs on restroom entrance included Braille; doorway was compliant & measured 35 in.; door had to be pulled open to enter & pushed open to exit and was heavy; the door did not have lever- type handles but the handle was an appropriate height
Sink: Sink was cut out & pipes were far enough back to avoid injury; Sink measured 33.5 in from floor; Faucet handles were levers; Paper towel dispenser & faucet required minimal force to use; Paper towel dispenser was > 33.5 in but still at appropriate height to operate from w/c; soap dispenser was out of reach; trash can narrowed aisle to access paper towel dispenser
Stall: Door wasn’t operable with closed fist on inside; w/c stall was in ADA compliance for length & width (> 5x5); Toilet seat was compliant at 19 in. tall 
Grab bars: 3 grab bars were present to the  left of toilet & were appropriate height 

7. F. Public Telephones and Water Fountains
Findings
Recommendations
Telephone: There was no public telephone in the area; only one is in the management office
Water fountain: There was one water fountain near the entrance; amount of clear floor space was ADA compliant; water spout was out of compliance and measured 38.5 in from the ground; controls were on front & sides and operable with one closed fist; not cane detectable 
Put in a telephone for public access in case of emergency that is no higher than 48 inches
Lower height of water fountain to make the water spout be 36 in or less from the ground
Place a planter or other cane- detectable barrier on each side of water fountain at floor level

8. G. Access for the Visually Impaired
Findings
Recommendations
Braille signage: Braille was noticed outside/inside the elevator and outside of the restroom
Voice activated assistance: Only voice activated assistance was at crosswalk to get from parking garage to front door (it alerts you verbally when crosswalk signal is on); elevator dinged when door opened only
Decrease the volume of the auditory signal provided at crosswalk for safety (to hear traffic pattern)
Put Braille on any new signs (place on any existing if possible)
Implement more auditory assistance with elevator (voice/cues for open, closed, etc.)

9. H. Assistance & Physical Aids Available
Findings
Recommendations
Could make doors to cafeteria area power-assisted to eliminate risk of them accidentally not being left propped open
Auditory signals with elevator
Braille food menus/signs
There was staff on the side when the cafeteria is open that could provide physical assistance if necessary
Staff keeps the doors open during operating hours, which eliminates need for automatic doors
Visually impaired assistance = Braille, auditory signals at crosswalk, auditory signals from emergency alarms, and beep with elevator opening
HOH assistance = lights on elevator indicating moving up or down; emergency alarms flash
Power-assisted door openers to building main entrance & elevators were accessible
*Please refer to slides 2-8 for findings & recommendations related to specific areas that were assessed

10. See slides 2-9 for detailed recommendations relating to each area of assessment for Brandeis Hall Cafeteria on Creighton University’s campus
I. Recommendations

11. J. Brandeis Hall Floor Plan