Comply with Accessibility Requirements

by the WBDG Historic Preservation Subcommittee

Last updated: 04-30-2008

Overview

Photo of Ariel Rios, EPA Headquarters in Washington, DC

Ariel Rios, EPA Headquarters, Washington, DC. The ramps at this historic federal building were sensitively designed to provide equal access while preserving the building's original fabric.
(Photo: GSA)

Most historic buildings were not originally designed to accommodate people with disabilities and special needs. However, persons with disabilities should experience sites, landscapes, buildings, and spaces in the same manner as other users whenever possible.

Providing access (exterior and interior) for persons with disabilities in ways that preserve the character of the historic property is a challenge and requires creativity and collaboration among the project team members. Compliance is required in these areas, but the accessibility standards (such as Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) and American with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)) are more flexible when applied to historic buildings. UFAS and ADAAG provide alternative solutions that allow retention of original historic fabric (such as narrow corridors).

While accessible design is covered in WBDG Accessible Branch, unique issues that must be resolved in order to provide accessibility in historic buildings will be discussed in this section.

Recommendations

The following are the primary areas related to accessibility design requiring special care:

Accessible Routes and Clearances

Photo of front of community center in Arlington, VA

Areas in front of this community center were regraded to allow access to the building via landscaped ramps. Arlington, VA.
(Photo: Arlington County, VA)

Preserve the intended entry experience of historic sites and buildings for everyone.
- Wherever possible, design solutions that use on-grade entrances or low slope ramps integrated into the site to avoid the requirement for railings at abrupt level changes.
- As an alternative, consider on-grade entrances or down-grade sloping ramps that connect to interior elevators.
- This may require locating an accessible entrance elsewhere.
Exterior accessibility can be accommodated by providing a wheelchair accessible path from safe and accessible parking to a significant entry to the building, historic landscapes, or informational exhibits.
Accessible routes do not have to be altered if they provide adequate turning radius at intervals.
Construct new ramps and railings of compatible materials and design.
Preserve visual symmetry where applicable.

Doors and Hardware

Provide access without removing character-defining elements such as doors and hardware. Modifications that limit impact on the historic character of a building while still meeting code are preferable.
Avoid replacing historic hardware wherever possible. Alternative solutions to hardware replacement include such techniques as keeping the door open during normal business hours and electric door openers.
Avoid widening door openings. Look for alternative routes. Where it is unavoidable, design new doors and openings to be compatible with the materials and detailing of nearby historic doors.

Interior Public Spaces

Preserve the hierarchy and historic character of significant spaces including entrances, lobbies, atria, primary corridors, and stairs.
Preserve character-defining features and spatial qualities of ceremonial lobbies.
Maintain historic primary entrances.
Avoid detrimental modifications to primary entrances in seeking to meet security and accessibility solutions.

Program Accessibility

Alternatives to Physical Access: House museums and significant spaces within historic buildings may not be adaptable for physical access. In such cases, visual access and/or program access to such spaces may be adequate alternatives. Methods include visual presentations, models, and providing exhibits in accessible spaces.

For more information, refer to the following:
- National Endowment for the Arts, Office for AccessAbility
- Smithsonian Institution Accessibility Design Guidelines for Exhibits
For accessibility to programs and employment, relocation of these functions to accessible areas is allowed and avoids major adverse renovations.

Restroom Design

When restrooms are part of the character of the historic building and cannot be readily modified due to clearances or level changes, consider adding appropriately located, accessible, unisex restrooms to eliminate the need for modifying existing bathrooms with historic finishes.

Signage

Signage should be integrated into the historic building fabric in ways that preserve the historic character.
Avoid altering, removing, and damaging historic signs and finishes.
- Installation: Installation of signage should be carefully executed to avoid damage to finishes. Avoid penetrating historic material. Free-standing signage is often an acceptable alternative to mounting signs on historic fabric.
Serif letters may be used if the font size is large and there is high contrast with the background. See Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibit Design for more information.

Vertical Accessibility

Photo of the modification of a historic railing to comply with accessibility requirements

Example of a well-designed modification of a historic railing to comply with accessibility requirements.
(Photo: GSA)

Either new or existing elevators provide vertical accessibility. Often elevators are a significant element of the fabric of a historic building. Accommodating required clearances and control heights are often issues. Consider:
- Call buttons: Although the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) require call buttons at 42", an ADA modification can often be sought for buttons up to 54" in height when appropriate side access is available.
- Stair Railings: In some cases, railings on stairways need to be raised to comply with accessibility requirements. When this is needed designs should respect the historic fabric.

Relevant Codes and Standards

Major Resources

WBDG

Design Objectives

Accessible, Historic Preservation—Additional Resources, Historic Preservation—Accommodate Life Safety and Security Needs, Safe / Secure—Plan for Fire Protection

Federal Agencies

Department of Defense (DoD):
U.S. Army—Installation Design Standards, Chapter 3, Section 8 - Building Accessibility - May 2004
U.S. Army—TI 800-01 Design Criteria, Chapter 7, Provision for Individuals with Physical Disabilities, Section 4, 20 July 1998
U.S. Navy—NAVFAC PDPS 94-01, Barrier Free Design Accessibility Requirements, 26 May 1994 (Revised 1 June 1997)
U.S. Air Force—Air Force Center of Expertise for Accessibility
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO)—HUD enforces the Fair Housing Act and has issued guidelines under this law (the Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines) which cover multi-family housing. HUD's website also addresses access under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Department of Justice (DOJ)—DOJ offers technical assistance on the ADA Standards for Accessible Design and other ADA provisions applying to public accommodations and commercial facilities, including businesses, nonprofit service agencies, and state and local government programs and services; also provides information on how to file ADA complaints. Many of its technical assistance letters are available online.
ADA Information Line for documents, questions, and referrals:
(800) 514-0301 (voice)
(800) 514-0383 (TTY)
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Accessibility Program
General Services Administration (GSA) National Accessibility Program

Organizations/Associations

Publications

Accessibility and Historic Preservation Resource Guide by Judith L. Hayward, and Thomas C. Jester, compilers. Windsor, Vermont: Historic Windsor, Inc., 1992, revised 1993.
Preservation Brief 32: Making Historic Properties Accessible by Thomas C. Jester and Sharon C. Park, AIA. National Park Service.