ADA Guidelines for Recreation Facilities General A facility must provide free and unobstructed access to and egress

s from a particular area or location for pedestrians and wheelchair users. This requirement refers to all pathways, which may consist of internal walkways and external sidewalks, curb ramps, pedestrian ramps, lobbies, corridors, elevators, activity areas, restroom facilities, or any combination of these. At least one accessible route must be provided within the boundaries of the facility's property that connects parking and public transportation stops with the facility's entrance. If the access entrance for individuals with disabilities is located out of the major path of travel, the access door should be automatic. Automatic doors with independent and separate two-level push plates are recommended. At least one door at each accessible entrance to the facility must be designed in accordance with the ADA-AGBE In addition, at least one door at each accessible space within the facility must comply with this act. All doors must have a minimum width of 32 inches for accessibility. Lever hardware must be provided on all accessible doors. All hardware on doors must be mounted at 36 inches maximum to the centerline from the floor. A wheelchair access symbol must be mounted on all accessible doors. Doormounted door stops or panic bolts must not be installed in the toe-strike zone. Floor Surfaces All parking spaces for people with disabilities must be located as near as possible to entrances that are accessible to these people. A minimum of one parking space per 25 of the total number of spaces available must be for individuals with disabilities. Each parking space set aside for people with disabilities must be at least 96 inches wide and provide an adjacent 60-inch-wide access pathway. Floors within a facility must be at a common level throughout (no more than one quarter inch variance) or must be accessible (connected) by pedestrian ramps, passenger elevators, or special access lifts. The maximum height for carpet tile or carpet is one-half inch. In addition, all carpet edges must be fastened to the floor. Stairs, Ramps, and Elevators All activity areas e.g.,weight rooms, exercise classrooms, gymnasiums, courts, and swimming pools) and support areas (e.g., pro shop, food and beverage areas, offices, and sports medicine areas) must be accessible to people with disabilities. An accessible pathway at least 36 inches wide must be provided in all activity areas. Stairs must have continuous-grasp (1 1/4 to 2 inches in diameter) handrails located on both sides of the stairs. These handrails must be 30 to 34 inches in height. If handrails are not continuous, they must extend 12 inches at the top of the stairs and 12 inches plus a tread width (the width of a stairstep) at the bottom of the stairs. Stairs must have uniform riser heights and tread widths. Access ramps must be designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Ramps must be provided on external and internal pathways where there is more than a one-half-inch vertical change in floor elevation. Ramps must have slipresistant surfaces that are stable and firm. Ramps must have landing areas of at least 60 inches by 60 inches. Ramps must not have slopes greater than l:12, although a slope of 1:16 may be the most appropriate slope for a club environment. Whenever possible, ramps should be installed instead of wheelchair lifts. Ramps are usable by everyone, whereas lifts are not. If alternate means of access are not otherwise available, a wheelchair lift should be put in a facility. If installed, a wheelchair lift should be located on major paths of travel. If wheelchair lifts are installed, they should have automatic doors and buttons that don't require constant pressure. All elevators in a facility must accommodate wheelchair users. Call buttons in the hallway or in elevator lobbies must be mounted at 42 inches above the floor and must be located away from corners. All floor buttons inside the elevator must be located away from the corners. These buttons must be mounted horizontally (instead of vertically) on the side panels at the lowest allowable height (35 inches to the lowest button and 48 inches at the highest point is required). All buttons must be raised and at least three-quarters inch in diameter.

Wall Fixtures Electrical-cooler water fountains should be installed in the facility as opposed to manual drinking fountains. In the electrical type, a person applies pressure to a button or similar element, whereas in the manual type, a person must turn a handle, which is a more difficult task. Telephones must be accessible to people with disabilities. This can be facilitated by mounting the telephones at a height of 48 inches from the center of the coin slot to the finished floor, at least one public phone in the facility must provide a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD). All light and control switches must be located at a maximum height of 36 inches above the finished floor.

Toilets, Lockers, and Showers Single-accommodation toilet facilities must have sufficient space in the toilet area (room) for a wheelchair (measuring 30 inches wide by 48 inches long) to enter the room and permit the door to close. A minimum turning radius of five feet in the toilet area must be provided for adequate wheelchair maneuverability. Designated toilet facilities must be user-friendly for individuals with disabilities. At least one water closet must be 60 inches wide for wheelchair access and another must be at least 36 inches wide with grab bars. Accessibility signage must be posted on doors. Bathroom doors must swing outward to a minimum of 32 inches of clear opening. Lavatories must have space for maneuverability to permit access by people with disabilities.

Lavoratories must be 34 inches maximum in height, 29 inches maximum height to the bottom of the apron form the furnished door. All hot water and drain pipes must be insulated. The faucet controls and operating mechanisms of lavatories must not require grasping, pinching, or twisting to operate. Towel and soap dispensers must be located on a side wall or clear area, not above or between sinks, and should be placed at a height no greater than 36 inches from the floor. Lockers must be made accessible to people with disabilities. A path of access not less than 36 inches wide should be provided to these lockers. At least one shower unit must have a handheld apparatus consisting of a hose 60 inches long mounted 48 inches above the floor, or at least one unit must have two shower heads, one 40 inches above the shower floor and the other set at standard height. If the unit includes two shower heads, both shower heads must operate independently and have both vertical and horizontal swivel angle adjustments.

Emergency Warning Systems Emergency warning system, if provided, must include both audible alarms and visual alarms, in accordance with the ADA-AGBF (1991). The center of the alarm-initiating device (box) on manual alarm stations must be located at a height not greater than 48 inches above the level of the floor or other surface. Assisted Listening Systems A facility must provide a permanent assisted listening system in any facility area that will be used for meeting or banquets where more than 50 people are present.