All historic properties providing access to the public are subject to the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), but there are some exceptions.
Historic properties are defined as being listed on, or being eligible to be listed on, the National Register of Historic Places, or designated as historic properties under state or local law. Owners of such buildings must conserve the historic nature of the building and provide accessibility to those who need it.
The National Parks Service’s Preservation Brief 32 introduces and provides guidance on how to integrate accessibility within a historic property. The brief outlines key steps including the completion of an accessibility assessment to identify items that do not comply with the ADA Standards and an evaluation of options to correct non-compliant items while being sensitive to the building’s historic character.
If it is not technically infeasible to meet current ADA Standards without threatening or destroying the historic significance of a building, an owner or representative must consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer. Exceptions may be made for accessible routes, entrances, and toilet facilities under certain circumstances.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jan 14, 2020
L.A.’s expedited permitting process credited with faster approvals on $1 billion project
Parallel Design-Permitting Process includes flagging elements for correction during conceptual design.
Codes and Standards | Jan 13, 2020
Kansas City is first in nation to offer free public transportation
Aim is to increase mobility to spur more economic activity.
Codes and Standards | Jan 9, 2020
Dept. of Defense will require beefed up cybersecurity standards in January
All contractors will have to demonstrate secure practices.
Codes and Standards | Jan 8, 2020
2019 Oregon Zero Energy Ready commercial code will boost efficiency by 14%
ASHRAE 90.1 is the basis for new code that went into effect Oct. 1.
Codes and Standards | Jan 8, 2020
Energy efficiency initiatives have significantly cut energy consumption per square foot
Lighting and space heating fell by more than 600 trillion Btu from 2003 to 2012.
Building Technology | Jan 7, 2020
Tariff whiplash for bifacial solar modules
Bifacial solar systems offer many advantages over traditional systems.
Codes and Standards | Jan 7, 2020
New certification program for rigid core luxury vinyl tile
ASSURE CERTIFIED to establish industry-wide quality standards.
Codes and Standards | Jan 7, 2020
Boston’s beefed up wetlands ordinance will limit development
Conservation commission must consider future climate impacts when assessing new projects.
Codes and Standards | Jan 6, 2020
States pick up the slack in efficiency policy as federal government lags
With climate change deniers setting policy in Trump Administration, progress continues in statehouses.
Codes and Standards | Jan 6, 2020
OSHA plans multiple revisions to rules impacting construction industry in 2020
Cranes and derricks, welding in confined spaces, beryllium exposure, and more on docket.