Arrival and entrances
An accessible journey begins before the front door. Review pedestrian routes, parking, passenger loading, curb ramps, entrances, door operation, and information directing people to accessible routes.
Publish accurate access information online and update it when construction, outages, or temporary events change the route.
Official guidance: Accessible routes
Official guidance: Entrances, doors, and gates
Interior spaces and services
Review circulation paths, ramps, elevators, turning areas, counters, seating, restrooms, and meeting spaces. Access includes approaching and using a service, not merely entering the room.
Dimensions, slopes, clearances, and exceptions depend on the applicable standards and situation. Use the official technical provisions and qualified review for construction decisions.
Official guidance: ADA Accessibility Standards
Physical signage and wayfinding
Different signs have different requirements. Permanent room identification may need tactile characters and braille, while directional and informational signs generally have visual requirements. Some sign types have exemptions under the ADA Standards.
- Identify the purpose and applicable category of each sign.
- Check character style, size, contrast, finish, and viewing distance.
- Check tactile character and braille requirements where applicable.
- Place signs consistently and within the specified mounting locations and heights.
- Use required accessibility symbols correctly.
WCAG contrast ratios apply to digital content. Do not substitute them for the ADA’s physical-sign specifications.
Official guidance: Signs: scoping and technical requirements
Communication and sensory access
Plan for assistive listening, captions, interpreters or other communication support as appropriate. Good lighting, manageable background noise, understandable instructions, and a quieter place for conversation can improve access.
Train staff to ask what assistance is useful and to speak directly to the person. Make accommodation requests straightforward and respond promptly.
Maintenance and emergencies
- Keep routes, clear floor spaces, and accessible seating free of storage.
- Maintain door operators, lifts, elevators, and assistive listening equipment.
- Communicate outages and usable alternatives promptly.
- Provide accessible emergency information and alerts.
- Include disabled people in evacuation and service-continuity planning.
Understand the legal context
New construction, alterations, existing facilities, and public programs can have different obligations. Existing private facilities may have readily achievable barrier-removal duties; public entities have program-access obligations. State and local codes can add requirements.
Official guidance: ADA Title III resources