Checklist for Existing Facilities
(Complete one Checklist for each facility and for applicable sections such as restrooms, elevators, etc., complete one for each floor in a multi-floor building)

Facility: ________________________________________________________
Location:_______________________________________________________

Person Completing this Checklist _________________________________________
		(Title)_________________________________________________

Does the above person have access to a copy of the ADA
 Accessibility Guidelines?     (See NOTE at end of CHECKLIST, Page 12) 	YES	NO

This checklist is based on the four priorities recommended by the Title II regulations for planning readily achievable barrier removal projects:

   Priority 1:  Accessible approach	Priority 3:  Access to rest rooms
   Priority 2:  Access to good and services	Priority 4:  Any other measures necessary

Note that the references to ADAAG (ADA Accessibility Guidelines)  throughout the checklist refer to the Standards for Accessible Design.

PRORITY ONE  -  Accessible Approach/Entrance

People with disabilities should be able to arrive on the site, approach the building, and enter as freely as everyone else.  At least one route of travel should be safe and accessible for everyone including people with disabilities.

Questions	__________
(Comments should be included to explain any answers, if needed)

Route of Travel  (ADAAG 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.7)

Is there a route of travel that does not require the use of stairs?   	YES        	NO

Is the route of travel stable, firm and slip-resistant?	YES	NO

Is the route at least 36 inches wide?	YES	NO

*Can all objects protruding into the circulation paths be detected 
by a person with a visual disability using a cane?	YES	NO

* In order to be detected using a cane, an object must be within 27 inches of the ground. Objects hanging or mounted must be higher than 80 inches to provide clear head room.  It is not necessary to remove objects that protrude less than 4 inches from the wall.

Do curbs on the route have curb cuts at drives, parking, and drop-offs?    YES	NO

Ramps  (ADAAG 4.8)

*Are the slopes of ramps no greater than 1:12?  If no, 	YES	NO
what is the slope?

Do all ramps longer than 6 feet have railings on both sides?	YES	NO

Are railings sturdy and between 34 and 38 inches high?	YES	NO

Is the width between railings or curbs at least 36 inches?                	YES	NO

Are ramps non-slip?            	YES      	NO

Is there a 5-foot-long level landing at every 30-foot horizontal length 
of ramp, at the top and bottom of ramps and at switchbacks? 	YES	NO
	_________ length

Does the ramp rise no more than 30 inches between landings? 	YES	NO
	_________ length
	
* Slope is given as a ratio of the height to the length.  1:12 means for every 12 inches along the base of the ramp, the height increases one inch.  For a 1:12 maximum slope, at least one foot of ramp length is needed for each inch of height.

Parking and Drop-Off Areas (ADAAG 4.6)

Are an adequate number of accessible parking spaces available (8 feet wide for car plus 5-foot access aisle)?		YES	NO

For guidance in determining the appropriate number to designate, the table on page 12 gives the ADAAG requirements for new construction and alterations (for lots with more than 100 spaces, refer to ADAAG):
Total spaces	Accessible
	 1  to 25	1 space
	26  to 50	2 spaces
	51  to 75	3 spaces
	76 to 100	4 spaces

	Number of accessible spaces	_________   
	Width of existing accessible spaces:      _________________

NOTE:    At least one of every 8 accessible spaces must be van-accessible (with a minimum of one van-accessible space in all cases).

Are 8-foot-wide spaces, with minimum 8‑foot-wide access aisles,
and 98 inches of vertical clearance, available for lift-equipped vans?	YES	NO

Are the access aisles part of the accessible route to the accessible 
entrance?	YES	NO

Are the accessible spaces closest to the accessible entrance?	YES	NO

Are accessible spaces marked with the International Symbol
 of Accessibility?	YES	NO

Are the signs reading “Van Accessible” at van spaces?	YES	NO

Is there an enforcement procedure to ensure that accessible parking
 is used only by those who need it  (Sign in or on auto)?	YES	NO

ENTRANCE (ADAAG 4.13, 4.14, 4.5)

If there are stairs at the main entrance, is there also a ramp or lift, or 
is there an alternative accessible entrance?	YES	NO

NOTE:  Do not use a service entrance as the accessible entrance 
	unless there is no other option.

Do all inaccessible entrances have signs indicating the location of 
the nearest accessible entrance?	YES	NO

Can the alternative accessible entrance be used independently?	YES	NO

Does the entrance door have at least 32 inches clear opening (for 
a double door, at least on 32-inch leaf?  ___________clear opening	YES	NO

Is there at least 18 inches of clear wall space on the pull side
 of the door, next to the handle?   _______________ clear space	YES	NO

NOTE:  A person using a wheelchair or crutches needs this 
	space to get close enough to open the door.

Is the threshold edge ¼-inch high or less, or if beveled edge, no more
than ¾-inch high?	___________________height	YES	NO

If provided, are carpeting or mats a maximum of ½-inch high?
	___________________height	YES	NO

Are edges securely installed to minimize tripping hazards?	YES	NO

Is the door handle no higher than 48 inches and operable 
with a closed fist?	__________________height	YES	NO

NOTE:  The “closed fist” test for handles and controls:  Try opening 
	the door or operating the control using only one hand, held in a fist.  
	If you can do it, so can a person who has limited use of his or her hands.

Can doors be opened without too much force (exterior 
doors reserved; maximum is 5 lbf for interior doors?)
	_____________________force	YES	NO

NOTE:  You can use an inexpensive force meter or a fish scale to 
measure the force required to open the door.  Attach the hook end
 to the doorknob or handle.  Pull on the ring end until the door opens, 
and read off the amount of force required.  If you do not have a 
force meter or a fish scale, you will need to judge subjectively 
whether the door is easy enough to open.

If the door has a closer, does it take at least 3 seconds to close?
	_________________seconds	YES	NO

PRIORITY TWO
Access To Goods And Services

Ideally, the layout of the building should allow people with disabilities to obtain materials or services without assistance.

Horizontal Circulation (ADAAG 4.3)

Does the accessible entrance provide direct access to the main floor
 lobby, or elevator?		YES	NO

Are all public spaces on an accessible route of travel?	YES	NO

Is there a 5-foot circle or a T-shaped space for a person using 
a wheelchair to reverse direction?    __________________clear space	YES	NO

Doors (ADAAG 4.13)

Do doors into public spaces have at least a 32-inch clear opening?	YES	NO
	
	_____________________clear space

On the pull side of doors, next to the handle, is there at 
least 18 inches of clear wall space so that a person using 
a wheelchair or crutches can get near to open the door?	YES	NO
	
	_____________________clear space

Can doors be opened without too much force (5 lbf maximum 
for interior doors) ?		YES	NO
	_____________________clear space	

Are door handles 48 inches high or less and operable with 	YES	NO
 a closed fist?	_____________________height

Are all threshold edges ¼-inch high or less, or if beveled edge, 
no more than ¾-inch high?	YES	NO
	_____________________height

Rooms and Spaces (ADAAG 4.2, 4.4, 4.5)

Are all aisles and pathways to materials and services 
at least 36 inches wide?	YES	NO
	_____________________height

Is there a 5-foot circle or T-shaped space for turning a 
wheelchair completely?	YES	NO
	_____________________clear space

Is carpeting low-pile, tightly woven, and securely attached along edges?	YES	NO

In circulation paths through public areas, are all obstacles 
cane-detectable (located within 27 inches of the floor or higher 
than 80 inches, or protruding less than 4 inches from the wall)?	YES	NO
		__________________protrusion

Emergency Egress (ADAAG 4.28)

If emergency systems are provided, do they have both flashing 	
lights and audible signals?	YES	NO

Signage for Goods and Services (ADAAG 4.30)
Different requirements apply to different types of signs.

If provided, do signs and room numbers designating
permanent rooms and spaces where goods and services 
are provided comply with the appropriate requirements 
for such signage?		YES	NO

•	Signs mounted with centerline 60 inches from floor.	YES	NO

	_____________________height

•	Mounted on wall adjacent to latch side of door, or 
	as close as possible.	YES	NO

•	Raised characters, sized between 5/8 and 2 inches high, 
	with high contrast (for room numbers, rest rooms, exits).	YES	NO

	_______________character height

•	Brailled test of the same information.	YES	NO

•	If pictogram is used, it must be accompanied by raised 
	characters and Braille.	YES	NO

Directional and informational Signage
  The following questions apply to directional and informational signs
   that fall under Priority 2.

If mounted above 80 inches, do they have letters at least 3 inches high, 
with high contrast, and non-glare finish?	   YES	NO
	
	__________________letter height

Do directional and informational signs comply with legibility 
requirements? (Building directories or temporary signs need not comply).     YES	NO

Controls (ADAAG 4.27)

Are all controls that are available for use by the public 
(including electrical, mechanical, cabinet, game, and self-service 
controls) located at an accessible height ?	YES	NO

	_____________________height

Reach ranges:  The maximum height for a side reach is 54 inches; for a forward reach, 48 inches.  The minimum reachable height is 15 inches for a front approach and 9 inches for a side approach.

Are they operable with a closed fist?	YES	NO

Seats, Tables, and Counters (ADAAG 4.2, 4.32, 7.2)

Are the aisles between fixed seating (other than assembly 
area seating) at least 36 inches wide?	YES	NO

	_____________________width

Are the spaces for wheelchair seating distributed throughout?	YES	NO

Are the tops of tables or counters between 28 and 34 inches high?	YES	NO

	________________height

Are knee spaces at accessible tables at least 27 inches high, 
30 inches wide, and 19 inches deep?	YES	NO

	_____________height/width/depth

At each type of cashier counter, is there a portion of the main 
counter that is no more than 36 inches high?	YES	NO
	
	________________height

Is there a portion of food-ordering counters that is no more 
than 36 inches high, or is there space at the side for passing 
items to customers who have difficulty reaching over a high counter?	YES	NO

	________________height

Vertical Circulation (ADAAG 4.1.3(5), 4.3)

Are there ramps, lifts, or elevators to all public levels?	YES	NO

On each level, if there are stairs between the entrance 
and/or elevator and essential public areas, is there 
an accessible alternate route?	YES	NO

Stairs (ADAAG 4.9)

The following questions apply to stairs connecting levels not serviced by an elevator, ramp, or lift.

Do treads have a non-slip surface?	N/A	YES	NO
Do stairs have continuous rails on both sides, with 
extensions beyond the top and bottom stairs?	N/A	YES	NO

Elevators (ADAAG 4.10)	     N/A

Are there both visible and verbal or audible door opening/closing
and floor indicators (one tone = up, two tones = down)?	YES	NO

Are the call buttons in the hallway no higher than 42 inches?	YES	NO
	
	_____________________height

Do the controls inside the cab have raised and Braille lettering?	YES	NO

Is there a sign on both door jams at every floor identifying the 
floor in raised and Braille letters?	YES	NO

If an emergency intercom is provided, is it usable without 
voice communication?		YES	NO

Is the emergency intercom identified by Braille and raised letters?	YES	NO

Lifts (ADAAG 4.2, 4.11)	     N/A

Can the lift be used without assistance?  If not, is 
a call button provided?		YES	NO

Is there at least 30 by 48 inches of clear space for a person 
in a wheelchair to approach to reach the controls and use the lift?	YES	NO

	____________length x width

Are controls between 15 and 48 inches high (up to 54 inches
 if a side approach is possible)?	YES	NO
	
	_____________________height

PRIORITY 3
Usability of Rest Rooms
When rest rooms are open to the public, they should be accessible to people with disabilities.  

Getting to the Rest Rooms (ADAAG 4.1)

If rest rooms are available to the public, is at least 
one rest room (either one for each sex, or unisex) fully accessible?	YES	NO

Are there signs at inaccessible rest rooms that give directions 
to accessible ones?		YES	NO

Doorways and Passages (ADAAG 4.2, 4.13, 4.30)

Is there tactile signage identifying rest rooms?	YES	NO

NOTE:  Mount signs on the wall, on the latch side of the door, 	
	complying with the requirements for permanent signage.

Are pictograms or symbols used to identify rest rooms, and, if
used, are raised characters and Braille included below them?	YES	NO

Is the doorway at least 32 inches clear?	YES	NO

	_________________clear width

Are doors equipped with accessible handles (operable 
with a closed fist), 48 inches high or less?	YES	NO

	_____________________height

Can doors be opened easily (5 lbf maximum force)?	YES	NO

	_____________________force

Does the entry configuration provide adequate maneuvering 
space for a person using a wheelchair?	YES	NO

	____________________clear space

NOTE:  A person in a wheelchair needs 36 inches of clear width 
	for forward movement, and a 5-foot diameter or T-shaped 
	clear space to make turns.  A minimum distance of 48 inches 
	clear of the door swing is needed between the two doors of 
	an entry vestibule.

Is there a 36-inch-wide path to all fixtures?	YES	NO

	_____________________width

Stalls (ADAAG 4.17)

Is the stall door operable with a closed fist, inside and out?	YES	NO

Is there a wheelchair-accessible stall that has an area of 
at least 5 feet by 5 feet, clear of the door swing,   OR    is there 
a stall that is less accessible but that provides greater access 
than a typical stall (either 36 by 69 or 48 by 69 inches)?	YES	NO

	__________________length x width

In the accessible stall, are there grab bars behind and on the 
sidewall nearest to the toilet?	YES	NO

Is the toilet seat 17 to 19 inches high?	YES	NO

	_____________________height

Lavatories (ADAAG 4.19, 4.24)

Does one lavatory have a 30-inch-wide by 48-inch-deep 
clear space in front?		YES	NO

	_______________clear space

	NOTE:  A maximum of 19 inches of the required 
		depth may be under the lavatory.

Is the lavatory rim no higher than 34 inches?	YES	NO

Is there at least 29 inches from the floor to the bottom 
of the lavatory apron (excluding pipes)?	YES	NO

	_____________________height

Can the faucet be operated with one closed fist?	YES	NO

Are soap and other dispensers and hand dryers within reach 
ranges and usable with one closed fist?	YES	NO

	_____________________height

Is the mirror mounted with the bottom edge of the reflecting 
surface 49 inches high or lower?	YES	NO

	_____________________height

PRIORITY 4
Additional Access
Note that this priority is for items not required for basic access in the first three priorities.

When amenities such as drinking fountains and public telephones are provided, they should also be accessible to people with disabilities.

Drinking Fountains (ADAAG 4.15)

Is there at least one fountain with clear floor space of 
at least 30 by 48 inches in front?	YES	NO
		____________________clear space

Is there one fountain with its spout no higher than 
36 inches from the ground, and another with a standard 
height spout (or a single “hi-lo” fountain)?	YES	NO

		_____________________height

Are controls mounted on the front or on the side near the 
front edge, and operable with on closed fist?	YES	NO

Is each water fountain cane-detectable (located within 
27 inches of the floor or protruding into the circulation space 
less than 4 inches from the wall?	YES	NO
		______________height/protrusion

Telephones (ADAAG 4.31)

If pay or public use phones are provided, is there clear floor 
space of at least 30 by 48 inches in front of at least one?	YES	NO

	___________________clear space

Is the highest operable part of the phone no higher
 than 48 inches (up to 54 inches if a side approach is possible)?	YES	NO

	_____________________height
Does the phone protrude on more than 4 inches into 
the circulation space?		YES	NO

	___________________protrusion

Does the phone have push-button controls?	YES	NO

Is the phone hearing-aid compatible?	YES	NO

Is the phone adapted with volume control?	YES	NO

Is the phone with volume control identified with appropriate signage?	YES	NO

If there are four or more public phones in 
the building, is one of the phones equipped with 
a text telephone (TTY or TDD)?	YES	NO

Is the location of the text telephone identified 
by accessible signage bearing the International TDD Symbol?	YES	NO

The ADA Accessibility Guidelines are available online at:

http://www.trace.wisc.edu/docs/compliance_with_the_ada_for_itm/comply_comp1.html

               See also:   
The Florida Americans with Disabilities Accessibility Implementation Act, as amended.  (F.S. 553.501-553.513; F.S. 316.1955)