Federal Codes & Regulations

The U.S. Federal Government has several accessibility related laws.  The most well know is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.  The U.S. Access Board is tasked with developing ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) to implement the barrier-free mandate.  These guidelines are then used to draft regulations that various agencies use to enforce aspects of the ADA.  The U.S. Department of Justice published their regulations in 1994.  Several revisions have been made to the ADAAG since then but have not been adopted by regulation.  So, the original 1991 ADAAG is still the accessibility standard to which the built environment is measured.

The ADA allows platform or wheel chair lifts as part of an accessible route and describes their use in ADAAG Section 4.11.  They are authorized to provide access to performance areas such as stages and also to provide unobstructed audience viewing areas for wheelchairs as required in ADAAG section 4.33.

The ADA does not prescribe document review or inspections to insure compliance to the ADAAG.  Enforcement is carried out through a Complaint – Investigation process after the building is occupied.

More information about these topics may be found:

The U.S. Access Board

Americans with Disabilities Act

US Department of Justice