Accessibility Surveys & Consulting

Generally, Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination by entities to prevent access and use of “areas of public accommodations” and “commercial facilities” on the basis of disability.  In other words, ADA is a civil rights law and may not be incorporated in local building codes.  Regardless of their age, these areas and facilities must be modified, maintained and operated to comply with the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG).

Buildings completed and occupied after January 26, 1992, are required to comply fully with ADAAG.  Existing facilities constructed prior to this date are held to the lesser standard of complying to the extent allowed by structural feasibility and the financial resources available, or a reasonable accommodation must be made.

Building owners are obligated to accommodate current ADA requirements where practical.  If full compliance would be structurally or economically impractical, then any portion of the facility that can be made accessible shall be made accessible to the extent that it is not structurally impractical.  (2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, Section 202, Paragraph 202.3 Alterations, Exceptions 1 & 2)

BMC can provide a comprehensive accessibility report that addresses readily achievable measures that can bring your existing building up to compliance.