The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) establish the architectural standard for numerous elements which might present physical barriers to access. The guidelines were developed by the United States Access Board with input from various disabilities groups and accessibility experts.

The ADAAG delineates minimum guidelines and requirements for accessibility to be applied during the design, construction, and alteration of sites and buildings effective January 26, 1993. The ADA is geared to the future, with the eventual goal that full access will one day be the rule, rather than the exception. Only modest expenditures are required to remove barriers in existing facilities; however, all barrier removal projects should comply with the ADAAG to the maximum extent possible.

Local building officials have no enforcement authority for ADA compliance until such time as the ADAAG is adopted by the building codes. Many design professionals and construction contractors are not well informed about the requirements of the ADA and do not understand the logic behind certain requirements. Unfortunately, they continue to design and build only in accordance with applicable building codes. The ADA is a Federal civil rights legislation which is enforced through administrative complaints to the US Department of Justice (DOJ) or through civil action for preventive relief. Compliance with the ADA is imperative.

Access by Design has developed a system to quickly and thoroughly review building plans for adherence to the ADA guidelines for barrier removal projects, new construction, and alterations, including "path of travel" requirements. Using the Access Board's Checklist, architectural elements are analyzed for possible non-compliance and drawings "red-lined" with the applicable ADAAG standard noted.

An independent plan check of this nature is an inexpensive, effective method of assuring full compliance with the ADA technical accessibility standards.

Access by Design Plan Check Services provide:

o Analysis of accessible path of travel.

o Review of access to goods and services.

o Detailed assessment of rest room design.

o Examination of product specifications.

o Itemization of non-complying elements.

o Recommendations for design modifications.