Accessibility Standards

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Accessibility Standards

• ADA Standards (non-Federal facilities) update of
  standards pending
• Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Standards
  (Federal facilities/ federally funded)
  updated standards in effect
  (GSA)
• State/local codes and standards may also apply

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Courthouse Access Advisory Committee Report
(Nov. 2006)

• Provides best practice recommendations
• Clarifies how Federal standards can be met
• www.access-board.gov/caac/

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Courthouse Entrances

• Accessible routes must coincide with general
  circulation paths (or be located in the same
  area).

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Courthouse Entrances
Entrances raised well above grade require longer
ramp systems
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Entrance Doors

• Automatic Doors Required for Federal
  courthouses Recommended for all other courthouses

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Restricted Entrances

• Intercom devices must have
• visual signals
• audible signals

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Signage

• Signs required to be
• tactile (raised characters
• and Braille)
• Room Numbers
• Restrooms
• Exits
• Floors Levels

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Counters and Millwork

• Accessible height for service counters 36 max.

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Common Courtroom Access Issues

• Number of Accessible Courtrooms
• Entrances and Gates
• Elevated Areas
• Spectator Seating
• Holding Cells

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Courtrooms Required to be Accessible
All courtrooms must be accessible in new
construction
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Courtroom Entrances

• Automation is required for courtroom doors
  exceeding max. 5 lbs. of force
• Locate wheelchair space controls outside door
  swing

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Courtroom Gates
Recommendation No gates
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Jury Boxes
Best practice First row at main floor level
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Jury Boxes

• Wheelchair space with side approach requires 60
  min. depth
• Available turning space facilitates access

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Jury Boxes

• If first row is raised
• Ramp or lift access required
  
• Means of access must be permanent
• (portable, fold-out or telescoping ramps not
  allowed in new construction)
• Removable seats allowed at wheelchair space
• Gates/enclosures must provide unassisted access

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Witness Stands

• Ramp or lift (if raised)
• Permanent solution
• Wheelchair space
• Turning space

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Witness Stands
Recommendation Ramps
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Jury Boxes/ Witness Stands

• One ramp can serve jury box and witness stand

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Jury Boxes/ Witness Stands

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Ramps preferred over platform lifts

• Lift issues
• Maintenance
• Reliability/ operation
• Custom configurations often problematic

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Judges Benches

• Best practices
• Access by ramp
• Location of ramp (or lift) outside courtroom

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Judges Benches (Lift Access)
Ramp outside courtroom offers greater security

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Judges Benches - Lift Access
Best Practice Locate lift behind wall or
outside courtroom
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Lecterns
Adaptable heights and knee/toe space necessary
for access

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Lecterns

• Best practice recommendations
• Adjustable surface height range 28 to 44
  (28 to 34 accessible range)
• Top edge should adjust with surface (visibility,
  line of sight)
• Adjustable angle of work surface faciliates use
• Location of controls within easy reach
• Knee and toe clearance below surface

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Spectator Seating
Minimum number of wheelchair spaces based on
seating capacity
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Spectator Seating
Best Practice Disperse Wheelchair Spaces
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Assistive Listening Systems

• Required in each courtroom, assembly areas
• Technologies (IR, loop, FM)
• Receivers (hearing-aid compatibility)
• Signs

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District Courtroom (2,400 SF)
Sample courtroom best practice recommendations
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Holding Cells

• Turning Space
• Benches (where provided)
• Toilet / Lavatory
• Drinking Fountains

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U.S. Access Board
Dave Yanchulis [phone] ext. 0026 (voice)
[phone] (TTY) E-mail yanchulis_at_access-bo
ard.gov www.access-board.gov