Transcript ADA and PROWAG Overview and Roles for LTAP/TTAP Centers

Overview of ADA and the PROW
and
Roles for LTAP/TTAP Centers
Ron W. Eck, P.E.
West Virginia LTAP
Morgantown, WV
Objectives
• Review key milestones in history of
accessibility regulations
• Distinguish between ADAAG and PROWAG
• Identify roles for LTAP/TTAP in assisting
communities with respect to accessibility
Significance
• 21% of U.S. population over the age of 15 has
a disability (2010 Census)
• 8 million Americans have vision disability,
ranging from low vision to total blindness
• NCD estimates that 70% of U.S. population
will eventually have a temporary or
permanent disability that makes climbing
stairs impossible
Historical Background: Pre-1990
• Architectural Barriers Act (1968) required
facilities designed, constructed, altered or
leased with Federal funds to comply with
Accessible Design Standards
• Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act (1973)
required curb ramps on Federal-aid projects
Americans with Disabilities Act--1990
• Civil rights law that prohibits discrimination
against persons with disabilities. Applies to all
entities (public, private, et al.) regardless of
funding source
Five Titles of ADA
• Title I Employment
• Title II State & Local Governments (28 CFR
Part 35)
• Title III Public Accommodations (retail,
commercial, sports complexes, movie
theaters, et al) (28 CFR Part 36)
• Title IV Telecommunications
• Title V Misc., including requirements for US
Access Board to develop design guidelines
Title II - State and Local Governments
Basic Requirements:
• Must ensure that individuals with disabilities
are not excluded from programs, services,
and activities (pedestrian facilities are an
example of a program)
Key Court Decision on Alterations--1993
• DOJ and court decisions consider roadway
resurfacing an alteration (1993)
• Roadway resurfacing triggers requirement for curb
ramp installations/retrofits (to current standards)
• DOJ/DOT Joint Technical Assistance issued 7/8/13
Title II – Maintaining Accessibility
(28 CFR 35.133)
• State & local governments must maintain accessible
features of facilities in operable working conditions
• Maintenance examples:
-- sidewalks in disrepair
-- overgrown vegetation
-- snow accumulation
-- broken elevator
-- work zone accessibility
ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)
• Developed primarily for buildings & on-site facilities
• Do not address all situations (especially those that
are unique to the public right-of-way)
Public Right-of-Way Accessibility
Guidelines (PROWAG)
• Originally intended to supplement ADAAG to
provide standards specific to public rights-ofway; most recently formatted as a stand-alone
document
• Applicable to new construction and alterations
(of existing facilities)
• Undergoing the rulemaking process (2011
NPRM published w/ updated guidelines.)
Issues in Draft PROWAG Not Adequately
Addressed in ADAAG
• Pedestrian Access Route (e.g. allows sidewalk
running slope to match roadway grade)
• Curb ramps – more design options
• Detectable warnings
• Crosswalks
• APS (Accessible Pedestrian Signals)
• On-street parking
• Roundabouts
Pedestrian Access Route
• Components:
– Walkways
– Ramps
– Curb ramps (excluding flared sides) & landings
– Blended transitions
– Crosswalks
– Pedestrian overpasses & underpasses
– Elevators and platform lifts
Everyone Benefits from Curb Ramps
Roles for LTAP/TTAP Centers
• Information Dissemination
-- information resources
-- newsletter articles
-- “executive” briefings
• Technical Assistance
Roles (cont’d)
• Training
– One/two hour focused sessions
– Half-day sessions
– Full-day “Designing Pedestrian Facilities for
Accessibility” (DPFA) workshop
– 1.5-day DPFA workshop with field activities
– Customized sessions
• Several LTAP staffers attended FHWA 3-day
DPFA train-the-trainer sessions in mid-Atlantic
and northwest in summer 2010
• No LTAP/TTAP attendance at week-long DPFA
train-the-trainer session in late April 2013 in
Lakewood, CO
• Therefore, are some qualified LTAP trainers
who can assist
Modules Making Up DPFA Class
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Laws, Regulations, and Pedestrian Characteristics
Pedestrian Access Route
Curb Ramps and Other Transitions
Detectable Warning Surfaces
Pedestrian Crossings
Accessible Pedestrian Signals
Street Furniture and Parking
Work Zones & Maintenance
Wrap up
Questions?
Ron W. Eck, P.E.
West Virginia LTAP
Morgantown, WV
304-293-9931
[email protected]