Checklist for Universal Access


Priorities	Barrier-removal checklist	Suggested barrier-removal or alternative solutions	Relative cost
Priority 1: Accessible Entrance
1-1 Parking	Is parking lot gravel?	Pave accessible parking spaces and access to sidewalks	Low
	Are there sufficient accessible parking spaces? Total spacesAccessible 1-201 space 21-502 spaces 51-753 spaces 76-1004 spaces	Restripe lot to provide correct number of accessible spaces.	Low
	Are all accessible parking spaces 16'-0" wide with half of space diagonally striped?	Restripe lot to create correct width for accessible spaces	Low
	Are accessible parking spaces located on the shortest possible path to an accessible entrance to the building?	Restripe lot	Low
	Does each accessible parking space have a AReserved@ sign with a $50 fine sign on a post or on the wall?Is there a AVan Accessible@ sign on at least 1 space in every 8 accessible spaces?	Add required signs and remove non-complying signs	Low
	If spaces are in garage structure, is there a 98" minimum height clearance for at least 1 in every 8 accessible spaces for vans?	Move accessible spaces to location where 98" vertical clearance is available	Low

1-2 Passenger Loading Zones	If the building is provided with a passenger loading zone, is there a 60" wide access walk from the loading zone to the front door of the building?	Provide access walk.	Medium
	Is there a 114" high vertical clearance to the passenger loading zone?	Relocate passenger loading zone to provide required clearance. Eliminate passenger loading zone.	High Low

1-3 Path of Travel	Is there a sidewalk that leads to an accessible entrance?	Provide sidewalk.	Medium
	Is the sidewalk stable, firm and slip-resistant?	Reconstruct sidewalk.Use concrete, asphalt, or tight jointed masonry.	Medium
	Is the sidewalk at least 36" wide?	Reconstruct sidewalk.	Medium
	If the sidewalk is less than 60" wide, is there passing spaces at least 60" square every 200 feet along the path?	Install passing space landings.	Low
	If objects protrude within the sidewalk area, can they be detected by a blind person with a cane? In order to be detected by a cane, an object must be within 27" of the ground.Objects hanging overhead must be at least 80" above the sidewalk level.Objects that protrude 4" or less from a wall do not have to be removed.	Remove protruding objects. Construct a guard around protruding object that can be detected by a cane. Trim overhanging branches above 80" above sidewalk.	Low Medium Low
	Are there curb ramps at every curb along the accessible sidewalk to the building entrance?	Install curb ramp.	Medium
	Do curb ramps have detectable warning strips on sloping surface? By Illinois requirements, detectable warnings are 1/4" to 3/4' wide parallel grooves in concrete spaced 1" to 2 3/4" on center.	Reconstruct concrete curb ramp to provide detectable warnings. Add surfacing to existing curb ramps to comply with detectable warning design.	Medium Medium
	Do curb ramps have no more than 1 in 12 slope?	Reconstruct curb ramp.	Medium
	Do sides of curb ramps have slopes with no more than 1 in 10 where pedestrians must pass across curb ramp?	Reconstruct curb ramp. Install guard rails.	Medium Medium
	Are there stairs or steps along the sidewalk that leads to the accessible entrance to the building?	Re-route the sidewalk to eliminate the steps. Install an accessible ramp along the sidewalk. Install a platform lift or a stair lift	Medium High High
	Are the slopes of ramps no greater than 1 in 12? At least one foot of ramp length is required for each inch of rise	Lengthen ramp to decrease slope. Relocate ramp. Reconfigure ramp to include landing and switchback	Medium Medium Medium
	Do ramps with slopes of greater than 1 in 20 and lengths greater than 72" or height greater than 6" have handrails on both sides?	Add handrails.	Medium
	Is top of handrail 34" above ramp surface?	Remove and re-set handrail height.	Medium
	Is handrail 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" in diameter?	Remove and replace handrail.	Medium
	Does ramp have slip-resistant surface?	Roughen surface or add slip-resistant surface to ramp.	Low
	Does ramp have edge-protection? Edge protection can be either be closely spaced balusters on the handrail, 2" min. high curbs, walls or 12" wide platform extension.	Reconstruct ramp or railing to provide edge protection.	Low
	Is there a 60" long landing at top and bottom of ramp and at every 30" rise or every 30 foot run of ramp?	Reconstruct ramp to provide landings.	High

1-4 Entrance to Building	Are there stairs at the main entrance of the building?	Provide an alternative accessible entrance that is not a service entrance. Provide a platform lift or a stair lift. Provide a ramp.	Medium High High
	Do all inaccessible entrances have signs indicating the location of the nearest accessible entrance?	Provide signs at or before inaccessible entrances.	Low
	Is entrance door min. 32" wide clear when opened?	Install wider door. Remove and install offset hinges to create wider opening when door is fully open. Assure that the door opening is at least 29 1/2" wide clear if replacement of door is not affordable.	Medium Medium Low
	Is there at least 18" clearance on the pull side of doors?	Move door. Reverse door swing, if possible. Move or remove adjacent partitions or furniture.	Medium Medium Low
	Is threshold no higher than 1/2" with bevelled edges?	Remove and replace threshold. Ramp up to threshold.	Low Low
	Are doormats stable, firm and slip-resistant?	Remove doormat. Secure doormat at all edges.	$0.00 Low
	Are doormats less than 1/4" high or have bevelled edges to a max. Thickness of 1/2"	Remove and replace doormat.	Low
	Is door handle no higher than 48"	Lower handle.	Medium
	Is door handle operable with a closed fist? The Aclosed fist@ test for door handles: Try opening the door using only one hand held in a fist.If you can do it, so can a person who has limited use of his or herhands.	Replace door knob with a lever handle lock. Add a lever extension to an existing door knob.	Medium Low
	Can exterior doors be opened with not more than 8.5 lbs force?	Install new closer to reduce opening force. Install hydraulic or electric automatic opener.	Medium High
	Can interior doors be opened with not more than 5 lbs force?	Install new closer to reduce opening force. Install hydraulic or electric automatic opener.	Medium High
	Does door closer delay closing of door so that there is at least 3 seconds delay from 90 degrees open to 12 degrees open?	Adjust closer. Install new delay-action closer.	Low Medium

1-5 Fire Alarms	Do fire alarms have both flashing lights and audible signals?	Install strobe lights connected to alarm system in compliance with intensity and frequency requirements.	Medium
Priority 2: Access to Goods and Services
2-1 Horizontal circulation	Are all public spaces on an accessible route?	Provide accessible route to all public spaces.	Low to Medium
	Is accessible route at least 36" wide?	Move furnishings, tables, chairs, display racks, vending machines and counters to make more room.	Low
	Is there a 60" diameter circle clearance or a T-shaped space for a person in a wheelchair to turn around?	Move furnishings, tables, chairs, display racks, vending machines and counters to make more room.	Low
	Is carpeting low pile, tightly woven, and securely attached at the edges?	Remove carpeting and replace.	Medium
	If objects protrude within the accessible route, can they be detected by a blind person with a cane? In order to be detected by a cane, an object must be within 27" of the floor.Objects hanging overhead must be at least 80" above the floor level.Objects that protrude 4" or less from a wall do not have to be removed.	Remove protruding objects. Construct a guard around protruding object that can be detected by a cane. .	Low Medium

2-2 Doors	Do all doors have at least a 32" clear passage?	Install new door of correct width Install offset hinges to increase opening width Allow reduced width to minimum of 29 1/2" clear width if other solutions are not readily achievable	Medium Medium Low
	Is there at least 18" clearance on the pull side of doors?	Move door. Reverse door swing, if possible. Move or remove adjacent partitions or furniture. Install hydraulic or electric automatic opener.	Medium Medium Low High
	Is threshold no higher than 1/2" with bevelled edges?	Remove and replace threshold. Ramp up to threshold.	Low Low
	Is door handle no higher than 48"	Lower handle.	Medium
	Is door handle operable with a closed fist? The Aclosed fist@ test for door handles: Try opening the door using only one hand held in a fist.If you can do it, so can a person who has limited use of his or herhands.	Replace door knob with a lever handle lock. Add a lever extension to an existing door knob.	Medium Low
	Can doors be opened with not more than 5 lbs force?	Install new closer to reduce opening force. Install hydraulic or electric automatic opener.	Medium High
	Does door closer delay closing of door so that there is at least 3 seconds delay from 90 degrees open to 12 degrees open?	Adjust closer. Install new delay-action closer.	Low Medium

2-3 Ramps	Are the slopes of ramps no greater than 1 in 12? At least one foot of ramp length is required for each inch of rise	Lengthen ramp to decrease slope. Relocate ramp. Reconfigure ramp to include landing and switchback	Medium Medium Medium
	Do ramps with slopes of greater than 1 in 20 and lengths greater than 72" or height greater than 6" have handrails on both sides?	Add handrails.	Low
	Is top of handrail 34" above ramp surface?	Remove and re-set handrail height.	Low
	Is handrail 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" in diameter?	Remove and replace handrail.	Low
	Does ramp have slip-resistant surface?	Roughen surface or add slip-resistant surface to ramp.	Low
	Does ramp have edge-protection? Edge protection can be either be closely spaced balusters on the handrail, 2" min. high curbs, walls or 12" wide platform extension.	Reconstruct ramp or railing to provide edge protection.	Medium
	Is there a 60" long landing at top and bottom of ramp and at every 30" rise or every 30 foot run of ramp?	Reconstruct ramp to provide landings.	Medium

2-4 Elevators	Are there both visible and audible door opening/closing signals and floor indicators?	Install visible and audible signals -- the audible signals may be either verbal (recorded or synthesized voice), or tones (one tone to indicate upward direction, two tomes to indicate downward direction)	Medium
	Are the call buttons in the hallway no higher than 42" above the floor?	Lower call buttons Provide a permanently attached reach stick	Medium Low
	Do the controls outside and inside the cab have raised and braille lettering?	Install raised and braille lettering next to buttons	Medium
	Is there a sign on the jamb at each floor identifying the floor in raised and braille lettering?	Install tactile signs to identify floor numbers, at a height of 60" above the floor	Low
	If there is an emergency communication system or intercom, Is it usable without voice communication?	Replace communication system.	High
	If there is an emergency communication system or intercom, are there raised letter and braille instructions?	Add simple raised letter and braille instructions.	Low

2-5 Vertical Platform or Stair Lifts	Can the lift be used without assistance?	At each stopping level, post clear instructions on how to use the lift. Provide a call button.	Low Low
	Is there at least 30" x 48" of clear space for a person using a wheelchair to approach to reach the controls and use the lift?	Rearrange furnishings and equipment to clear more space. Move controls	Low Medium
	Are controls between 15" and 48" high, or up to 54" high if a side approach is possible?	Move controls.	Medium

2-6 Stairs connecting levels which are not connected by an elevator, lift or ramp	Do stairs have non-slip surface?	Add non-slip vinyl or rubber tread if interior stairs; add non-slip insert if exterior stairs	Medium
	Do stairs have continuous handrails on both sides with extensions beyond the top and bottom stiars?	Replace handrails Alter handrails.	$35.00 /lf rail
Priority 3: Access to Toilet Room Facilities
3-1 Providing accessible restrooms	Is there at least one restroom for each sex accessibl, or one unisex restroom accessible?	Provide new accessible unisex restroom. Redesign one restroom for each sex to make accerssible.	High High
	Are there signs at inaccessible restrooms that give directions to accessible restrooms?	Provide directional signs with raised lettering and braille giving directions to accessible restrooms.	Low
	Are there signs with raised lettering and braille at accessible restrooms identifying them as accessible?	Provide signs with raised lettering and braille and with pictograms showing men or women, and with the symbol of accessibility identifying accessible restroom	Low
3-2 Doors into restrooms	Do all doors have at least a 32" clear passage?	Install new door of correct width Install offset hinges to increase opening width Allow reduced width to minimum of 29 1/2" clear width if other solutions are not readily achievable	Medium Medium Low
	Is there at least 18" clearance on the pull side of doors?	Move door. Reverse door swing, if possible. Move or remove adjacent partitions or furniture. Install hydraulic or electric automatic opener.	Medium Medium Low High
	Is threshold no higher than 1/2" with bevelled edges?	Remove and replace threshold. Ramp up to threshold.	Low Low
	Is door handle no higher than 48"	Lower handle.	Low
	Is door handle operable with a closed fist? The Aclosed fist@ test for door handles: Try opening the door using only one hand held in a fist.If you can do it, so can a person who has limited use of his or herhands.	Replace door knob with a lever handle lock. Add a lever extension to an existing door knob.	Medium Low
	Can doors be opened with not more than 5 lbs force?	Install new closer to reduce opening force. Install hydraulic or electric automatic opener.	Medium High
	Does door closer delay closing of door so that there is at least 3 seconds delay from 90 degrees open to 12 degrees open?	Adjust closer. Install new delay-action closer.	Low Medium
3-3 Passage within restrooms	Does the restroom layout permit adequate maneuvering space for a person using a wheelchair?	Rearrange accessories such as chairs and trashcans Remove inner door if there is a vestibule with 2 doors Move or remove obstructing partitions.	Low Low Low
	Is there a 36" wide passageway to at least one of the fixtures?	Remove obstructions.	Low
3-4 Accessible stall layout and design	Is the stall door operable with a closed fist, from either inside or outside?	Replace latch and knob with lever or loop handles. Add lever extensions to knob.	Medium Low
	Is the accessible stall at least 36" wide	Revise partitions	Medium
	Is the accessible stall at least 66" deep if it has a wall-hung water closet or at least 69" long if it has a floor mounted water closet?	Revise partitions	Medium
	In a stall with width 48= wide or wider, are there grab bars behind and to the close side wall of the water closet?	Install grab bars	Medium
	In a stall with width less than 48", are there grab bars on each side of the stall?	Install grab bars	Medium
	Are grab bars locared 33" to 36" above the floor?	Relocate grab bars.	Low
	Is the height of the watercloset 17" to 19" above the floor?	Add raised seat. Replace the watercloset with an accessible watercloset.	Low Medium
3-5 Lavatories	Does at least one lavatory have a 30" wide x 48" deep clear space in front? A maximum of 19" of the required depth may be under the lavatory	Remove or alter cabinetry to priovide clear space in front. Replace lavatory Rearrange furnishings.	Low High Low
	Is the lavatory rim no higher than 34"	Adjust lavatory height.	High
	Is there 29" vertical clearance from the floor to the bottom of the apron?	Adjust or replace lavatory.	High
	Can the faucet be operated with one closed fist?	Replace faucet handles with paddle handles or cross type handles.	Medium
	Are soap dispensers, towel dispensers, other dispensers and hand driers located at maximum of 48" above the floor and usable with one closed fist?	Lower dispensers. Replace dispensers or provide additional dispensers.	Medium Medium
	Is a mirror mounted with bottom edge of the reflecting surface maximum of 40" above the floor?	Lower the mirror. Add a ful length mirror in another accessible location within the restroom.	Low Medium
	Are the hot water and drain pipes exposed?	Insulate pipes.	Low
Priority 4: Access to other Facilities
4-1 Drinking fountains	Is there at least one drinking fountain with clear space of at least 30" wide x 48" in front?	Rearrange or remove furnishings.	Low
	Is there one drinking fountain with a spout no higher than 36" above the floor and another one with a standard height spout (42")?	Provide cup dispensers adjacent to drinking fountain with spouts that are too high or too low. Lower existing wall-hung drinking fountain. Provide accessible drinking fountains which are 36" and 42" to spouts.. Provide accessible water cooler.	Low Medium High Medium
	Are the controls for the drinking fountain mounted on the front or on the side near the front edge and operable with one closed fist?	Replace the controls.	Medium
	Does the drinking fountain protrude no more than 4" into a hallway?	Place a planter or other cane-detectable barrier on each side at floor level.	Low
4-2 Telephones	If pay or other public use telephones are provided, is there clear floor space of at least 30" x 48" in front of at least one?	Move furnishings. Replace telephone booth with an open station telephone. Add new accessible telephone.	Low Medium Medium
	Is the highest operable part of the telephone no higher than 48" above the floor of 54" if a side approach is possible?	Lower one telephone	Medium
	Does the telephone protrude no more than 4" into a hallway?	Provide a cane-detectable barrier on each side.	Medium
	Does the telephone have push buttons?	Replace telephone with push button type.	Medium
	Is the telephone hearing-aid compatible?	Replace or modify telephone to make it hearing-aid compatible type.	Medium
	Does the telephone have volume control?	Replace telephone	Medium
	Is the telephone volume control identified with appropriate signage?	Add signage.	Medium
	Is one of the telephones equipped with text telephone(TDD)?	Install a text telephone. Have a portable text telephone available.	Medium Medium
	Is the location of the text telephone identified by accessible signage with the TDD symbol?	Add signage.	Medium