advancing safety, health, and workplace rights in the legislative branch

Office of Compliance Office of the General Counsel

Room LA 200, Adams Building ! 110 Second Street, SE ! Washington, D.C. 20540-1999 ! t/202.724.9292 ! f/202.426.1663 ! tdd/202.426.1665

www.compliance.gov

Peter Ames Eveleth

General Counsel

April 2006

The Honorable Ted Stevens

President Pro Tempore of the Senate

S-240 Capitol Building

Washington D.C. 20510

The Honorable T. Dennis Hastert

Speaker of the House

Office of the Speaker of the House of

Representatives

H-232 Capitol Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Speaker Hastert and Senator Stevens:

Enclosed please find a copy of the public version of the General Counsel’s Report on

Americans with Disabilities Act inspections conducted during the 108th Congress. It has been

reviewed by the United States Capitol Police and all security sensitive information has been redacted.

The unredacted version of this Report was previously submitted to you in December 2005. 

As you know, the Congressional Accountability Act requires the General Counsel of the Office

of Compliance to inspect covered Legislative Branch entities, at least once each Congress, for

compliance with the public services and accommodations provisions of the Americans with

Disabilities Act. 2 U.S.C. §1331. The General Counsel must issue a Report containing, among other

items, the results of the inspection, a description of steps necessary to correct violations, and an

assessment of limitations in accessibility to and usability by individuals with disabilities associated

with each violation. 2 U.S.C. §1331(f)(2)(B). You will observe from the accompanying Report that

the Office of the General Counsel thoroughly inspected most Capitol Hill facilities and programs

during the 108th Congress, including many areas that had not been inspected since the 105th Congress. 

The Report also describes potential barriers to a safe emergency evacuation program for visitors with

disabilities. 

If you have questions or comments regarding this Report, or wish this office to provide you

with a briefing, please contact me at 202-724-9249 or peveleth@loc.gov. 

Very truly yours,

Peter Ames Eveleth

General Counsel

Enclosure
1

 The buildings inspected for this Report include the Capitol Building, the Botanic Garden

Conservatory, and the Cannon, Dirksen, Ford, Hart, Longworth, Rayburn and Russell Office Buildings.

2

 This Report concerns equal access of visitors with disabilities to the Legislative Branch. The

evacuation issues reported herein are also relevant for employees with disabilities. 

3

 These recommendations are set forth in the Individual Building Charts section of this Report.

This information was initially provided to the USCP and the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) in

November 2004. 

2

HIGHLIGHTS 

Equal Access Problem Which Must Have The Highest Priority for Correction 

Visitors to the Legislative Branch who have disabilities must have equal access to a safe

and prompt evacuation from the buildings as do visitors who are not disabled. During the

inspection conducted by the Office of the General Counsel (OGC or General Counsel) for the

108th Congress, we found that in most buildings1 on Capitol Hill this was not the case. Only the

first floor of the Capitol Building, the Botanic Garden Conservatory and the Ford House Office

building provide equal opportunity for visitors with disabilities to participate in the evacuation. 

All Capitol Hill entities covered by the CAA must ensure that visitors with disabilities have

equal opportunity to safely evacuate from the building or relocate to another floor during an

evacuation drill or actual emergency. Based on the 2004 inspections, the specific problems

regarding accessible emergency egress that need to be rectified are summarized below and

detailed in Section IV.B and in the Individual Building Charts attached to this Report. 

 

• All buildings lack wall maps or other signage that direct visitors with disabilities to

accessible exit routes, staging areas and accessible discharge points to be used in the

event of emergency evacuations. Illuminated exit signs direct people to exits that might

not be usable by a person in a wheelchair. Therefore, the installation of maps or signage

showing the alternate accessible exit routes and discharge points for individuals with

disabilities is essential. 

• All buildings lack accessible signage at the building exits. Accessible signage is brailled

and in raised and high contrast letters. Such signage is required at permanent building

exits, including exit stairwells and discharge points. It is essential for visitors who are

blind or vision-impaired and do not know how to get out of the building.

• Staging Areas, where individuals with mobility impairment await assistance during an

emergency, are an integral part of the plan to evacuate these buildings.2 Many staging

areas, including those in the Longworth House Office Building and the upper floors of the

Capitol Building, are in hazardous locations. The Office of Compliance (OOC) has

suggested alternate sites that offer more protection for those who are awaiting evacuation

assistance.3 

• In many buildings there was inadequate or non-existent signage indicating the location of

the Staging Areas. Thus, visitors who are mobility-impaired would not know where to

wait for assistance. 
4

 During the inspection, there was no common understanding among employing offices as to

which entities were responsible for evacuating disabled visitors from Staging Areas. Office staff of

some Member and Committee offices stated that they direct employees and visitors who are disabled to

the nearest Staging Area and that USCP officers would evacuate them from there. The USCP has

indicated that while its officers “assist” and “facilitate” evacuations, they were not necessarily

responsible for evacuating individuals with disabilities from the building. During the 109th Congress

ADA inspection, the General Counsel will seek further clarification of the respective roles of these

entities in effecting evacuations of individuals who are disabled during emergencies. 

5

 Subsequent to the biennial inspection, the USCP informed the General Counsel that officers in

the Senate Office Buildings had been trained to perform disability evacuations and the officers in the

House Office Buildings are scheduled to be trained regarding evacuation procedures. Some officers

expressed concern during the inspection about the adequacy of the training they had received. The

General Counsel will continue its inquiry concerning the evacuation of disabled individuals, including

the extent and adequacy of training, during the 109th Congress biennial ADA inspection.

3

• None of the Staging Areas had a two-way communication system that would allow

individuals waiting in Staging Areas to contact the United States Capitol Police (USCP)

or other rescuers during an emergency. 

• USCP officers evacuate mobility impaired individuals from Staging Areas except when

the Staging Area is situated within the zone of danger.4 (Members of the D.C. Fire

Department evacuate only those individuals who are in the immediate zone of danger.) 

The USCP reported that it plans to conduct additional training of its officers to assure that

they are able to effect a prompt evacuation in all buildings of any sizable number of

visitors with mobility impairments waiting for assistance in the designated Staging

Areas.5 

• Buildings must have at least two accessible emergency exit discharge points. If one exit

is blocked or unusable, individuals in wheelchairs would be directed to the other exit. 

Currently the Rayburn House Office Building has only one accessible exit. At least one

more is required. Further, the secondary accessible exit for the Dirksen and Hart Senate

Office Buildings is through adjacent buildings. Exit discharge directly to the outdoors is

preferred. 

• Visual alarms have been installed in many, but not all, of the public areas in the buildings

on Capitol Hill. Visual alarms are essential for a prompt evacuation alert to visitors with

hearing impairments. At the time of the inspection, there were no visual alarms in the

Hart Senate Office Building, on the 3rd or 4th floor of the Rayburn House Office Building,

in some Committee hearing rooms and the public restrooms of a number of buildings

including the Capitol Building. 

• A significant number of Member and Committee offices in the Rayburn, Longworth and

Cannon House Office Buildings reported in response to a questionnaire prepared by the

OGC that they were not aware of how to assist or direct visitors with disabilities during
6

 Regarding the questionnaire, see Section II.C, below. Of the 545 Member and Committee

offices in the House that were surveyed by the OGC, 122 responded; of these, more than half indicated

that they were not aware of how to assist visitors with disabilities during a drill or emergency.

4

an evacuation drill or actual emergency.6 
7

 Both the AOC and the USCP question the General Counsel’s reliance upon these provisions of

the Code of Federal Regulations. When the CAA was enacted, the Board of Directors of the OOC

adopted regulations that would have permitted the General Counsel to additionally enforce certain other

disability access standards. Cong. Rec. H117 (Jan. 9, 1997); Cong. Rec. S43 (Jan. 7, 1997). However,

Congress did not approve the regulations adopted by the OOC Board. Accordingly, in the absence of

substantive regulations approved by Congress, the General Counsel enforces the “default regulations” as

mandated by statute: namely, those that are “the same as the substantive regulations promulgated by the

Attorney General.” 2 U.S.C. §1331(e)(2). 

8

 The Report does not include estimates of the time and costs needed for abatement because this

information, although requested, was not provided to the General Counsel by the entities responsible for

correcting the violations identified during the OGC inspections. The General Counsel intends to pursue

this inquiry during the 109th Congress ADA inspection.

5

I INTRODUCTION

The Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) requires the General Counsel of

the Office of Compliance (OOC) to conduct periodic inspections of all covered Legislative

Branch facilities at least once each Congress to assure compliance with Title II and Title III of the

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 2 U.S.C. §1331(f). Title II of the ADA prohibits

exclusion of individuals with disabilities from benefits of the services, programs, or activities of

public entities. Title III seeks to ensure that individuals with disabilities are not discriminated

against in places of public accommodation. The CAA makes the Title II and Title III of the ADA

applicable to each office of the Senate (including each office of a Senator), each office of the

House (including each office of a Representative), each committee, each joint committee, the

Capitol Guide Service, the Capitol Police, the Congressional Budget Office, the Office of the

Architect of the Capitol, the Office of the Attending Physician and the Office of Compliance. 2

U.S.C. §1331(a). The General Counsel enforces Title II and Title III disability access regulations

promulgated by the Attorney General and published at 28 C.F.R. Parts 35 and 36.7 2 U.S.C.

§1331(e)(2). 

The CAA further provides that the General Counsel shall prepare and submit a report

containing the results of the General Counsel’s periodic inspection, describing any steps

necessary to correct any violation of Titles II and III, as incorporated by the CAA, and assessing

any limitations in accessibility to and usability by individuals with disabilities associated with

each violation, and the estimated cost and time needed for abatement.8 The body of the Report

constitutes a summary of the findings contained in the Individual Building Reports section of the

Report, and reflects conditions at the time of the 2004 biennial inspection. Unless otherwise

indicated, it does not include subsequent changes. 

II. HOW THE INFORMATION IN THIS REPORT WAS GATHERED

A. Physical Inspections

The inspections for the 108th Congress were conducted between May and December,

2004 with the assistance of the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board and
9Employees with disabilities are covered by other provisions of the CAA. See 2 U.S.C.

§1311(a)(3). Legislative Branch employees are given the rights and protections of Title I of the ADA and

the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Evacuation alarms and exit routes for employees who are disabled are

covered by the regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. See 29 C.F.R. §1910.38(c) and 29

C.F.R.§1910.165(b). OSHA regulations also require that employing offices provide all employees with

access to drinking water, toilets, and lavatories. 29 C.F.R. §1910.141(b, c, and d). 

10 The General Counsel is grateful for information provided by representatives from the

American Foundation for the Blind, the American Association of People with Disabilities, the National

Council on Disability, Paralyzed Veterans of America, as well as comments from a number of other

individuals with disabilities who reported to the OGC that they have encountered barriers to access when

visiting the buildings on Capitol Hill.

6

the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The physical inspections covered areas within the House

and Senate Office Buildings, the Capitol Building and the Botanic Garden Conservatory. The

inspectors looked at Committee hearing rooms, public restrooms, food service areas, accessible

entrances and exits, paths of travel, Staging Areas, elevators, and public telephones.

Public areas in the USCP building and the offices of Committees and elected

representatives were not inspected during the 108th Congress due to insufficient resources; these

areas will be inspected during the 109th Congress. Areas that are used only by employees are not

covered by the public access provisions of the ADA and were not inspected for purposes of this

report.9

 

B. Comments From Disability Rights Groups

In preparation for this report, the General Counsel met with representatives of disability

rights groups to obtain information about the barriers to equal access encountered by individuals

with disabilities who visit Capitol Hill, or who otherwise seek access to the business of the

Legislative Branch.10 Comments of individuals from these organizations were particularly

helpful in providing focus for this year’s report. 

C. Questionnaires

The General Counsel distributed a questionnaire to the office of each Senator,

Representative and Committee on Capitol Hill. A copy of the questionnaire is attached in

Appendix A, hereto. The questionnaire asked about the existence of physical barriers to and

within offices, knowledge of resources for communicating with disabled constituents and other

members of the public, and emergency evacuation procedures for individuals with disabilities

who might be visiting the Capitol Hill office during an evacuation drill or actual emergency. 

More than twenty percent of the surveyed offices responded to the questionnaire. Though the

questionnaire was not designed to provide statistically significant results, it did provide useful

information including pointing out areas where increased training and coordination is needed. 

III. REQUIREMENTS OF THE PUBLIC ACCESS PROVISIONS OF THE ADA

A. Title II - Access to Public Programs, Services, and Activities 
1142 U.S.C. §12132 and 28 C.F.R. §35.130

1228 C.F.R. §35.130(b)(7); 29 C.F.R.§35.150(a)(3)

1328 C.F.R. §35.150(b)

1428 C.F.R. §35.160(a)

1528 C.F.R. §35.160(b)(2)

1628 C.F.R. §35.160(b)(1)

1728 C.F.R. §35.161

7

Title II of the ADA prohibits a public entity, which here includes each “employing

authority,” from excluding qualified members of the public with disabilities from participating in

its programs, or denying them the benefits of its services or activities.11 A public entity or

“employing authority” must make reasonable modifications to its practices and procedures to

avoid discriminating on the basis of disability. Compliance is mandatory unless the public entity

can demonstrate that such modifications would be an “undue burden”or would fundamentally

alter the nature of the service, program or activity.12 The program accessibility requirements of

Title II apply to public entities in existing buildings as well as in newly constructed buildings. A

public entity or “employing authority” is not necessarily required to make structural changes in

the building it occupies where other methods exist that make its programs, services and activities

readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.13 Thus, for example, if a

Committee hearing room has a double-leafed door, in which a single leaf is too narrow to permit

passage of an individual in a wheelchair, the Committee must continue staffing the doors during

all public hearings until the passageway is made accessible, either by widening one of the doors

to permit unassisted passage by an individual in a wheelchair or by equipping the doors with an

automatic opening device.

1. Effective Communication

A public entity, including all Committee and Member offices, must take appropriate steps

to ensure that communication with members of the public with disabilities is “as effective as”

communications with others.14 “Primary consideration” must be given to the request of the

individual with disabilities in determining what type of auxiliary aids and services it will

provide.15 Auxiliary aids and services for individuals with hearing impairments include sign

language interpreters, assistive listening systems, real time captioning, and open or closed

captioning. Auxiliary aids and services for individuals with visual impairments include audio

recordings, Brailled materials, and large print materials. Thus, for example, if a member of the

public who is hearing-impaired wishes to attend a Committee hearing and requests a sign

language interpreter or other auxiliary aid and service, the Committee should provide the

particular form of service requested16 so long as it is given reasonable time to honor the request. 

Further, any public entity or “employing authority” that communicates with members of the

public by telephone must have the capability to use a telecommunication device for the deaf

(TDD) or other equally effective telecommunication system.17

2. Prompt and Safe Evacuation
18 The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice interprets the program access

requirements of Title II to include programs and services such as evacuation drills, programs and

procedures. See also DOJ Disability Rights Section Technical Assistance Guide Making Community

Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs Accessible to People with Disabilities (Sept. 30,

2004) published at www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/emergencyprep.htm

1928 C.F.R. §35.150(a)

2028 C.F.R. §35.150(a)(3)

2128 C.F.R.§36.304

2228 C.F.R.§36.402(c)

2328 C.F.R. §36.401

2428 C.F.R. §36.304(a) 

8

A public entity must conduct all of its programs and services, including evacuation

drills,18 so that the program or service, “when viewed in its entirety, is readily accessible to and

usable by” members of the public with disabilities.19 This is a mandatory requirement, unless

the public entity can demonstrate that it would be an “undue financial and administrative burden”

to comply.20 In every building inspected for this Report evacuation drills are conducted to

ensure that employees and visitors can promptly and safely evacuate the buildings in the event of

an actual emergency. Visitors who are disabled must similarly have ready access to a safe and

prompt evacuation. Much of this Report addresses the General Counsel’s findings that, at the

time of the inspections, members of the public who are disabled did not appear to have ready

access to a safe and prompt evacuation in most of the inspected buildings. This Report, and the

attached Individual Building Charts, include the General Counsel’s recommendations for

modifications to resolve the evacuation problems that were observed by the OGC inspection

team. 

B. Title III - Removal of Barriers to Access

Under Title III there are different levels of compliance for existing facilities, alterations

and new construction. All of the currently occupied buildings on Capitol Hill are “existing

facilities” and, therefore, are governed by the “readily achievable” barrier removal requirement

for existing facilities.21 Any alterations made to the existing facilities must comply with the

ADA standards unless to do so would be technically infeasible.22 All new construction must

strictly comply with the accessibility standards.23 

1. Existing Facilities 

In existing facilities, the removal of structural barriers to access is required under Title III

of the ADA when their removal is “readily achievable.”24 Whether barrier removal is “readily

achievable” is determined on a case-by-case basis by considering factors such as the cost to

remove the barrier and the overall financial resources of the entity responsible for abating the
25DOJ ADA Title III Technical Assistance Manual §III-4.4200.

2628 C.F.R. §36.304(b)(1-20)

27DOJ ADA Title III Technical Assistance Manual §III-4.4500

2828 C.F.R. §36.304(c)

29DOJ ADA Title III Technical Assistance Manual §III-4.4400

3028 C.F.R. §36.304(c)(1)

31 Details are given in the Individual Building Charts section of this Report. The Hart Senate

Office building has two entrances that are indicated as accessible. This signage is incorrect because the

ramp at the Constitution Avenue entrance is not currently accessible. The Second Street, N.E. entrance

to the Hart Building is accessible. 

3228 C.F.R. §36.304(c)(2). Many of these “services made available to the public” are covered by

both Title III “readily achievable” barrier removal standards and under Title II mandatory program access

standards. See, e.g., Sec. III.A.2 above.

9

violation.25 Examples of barrier removal that are considered readily achievable include installing

signage, making compliant curb cuts at sidewalks and entrances, installing ramps, widening

doors, installing accessible door hardware, repositioning telephones, installing visual alarms and

creating accessible restrooms.26 

2. Priorities for Barrier Removal in Existing Facilities 

Because a shortage of resources may not permit an entity to remove existing barriers all at

one time,27 the Title III regulations set forth priorities for barrier removal.28 There is, however, a

continuing obligation to “engage in readily achievable barrier removal.”29 Thus, even if removal

of certain barriers was not initially readily achievable, changed circumstances may make the

removal readily achievable at a later date. 

The highest priority set forth in the regulations is removing barriers that would prevent

individuals with disabilities from physically entering a building on their own.30 This goal has

been generally achieved for all buildings on Capitol Hill. The exceptions are the location of the

taxi drop off at the Rayburn House Office Building, the steep curb cuts at the Dirksen Senate

Office Building accessible entrance, and the design of the ramp for the Longworth House Office

Building.31 

The second priority in the ADA regulations is the removal of barriers that prevent access

to the “services made available to the public.”32 In the House and Senate Office Buildings the

“services made available to the public” include attending Committee hearings, visiting elected

officials and eating in the cafeterias and restaurants. Because evacuation drills are now

conducted on a frequent basis in all Capitol Hill buildings these evacuations are also considered

“services made available to the public.” The second priority regulations also include provision

for visual alarms and Brailled and raised character signage. 

There has been significant progress in achieving these second priority goals. For
33Although substantial monies were appropriated to fund the Wayfinding and ADA Compliant

Signage Program for fiscal year September 30, 2004, no accessible building maps or signage had been

installed at the time of the inspection. A spot-check of the new maps installed after the inspection found

that they did not provide any information about accessible exits. 

3428 C.F.R. §36.304(c)(3)

35 However, many of the restrooms have minor compliance issues. Details are set forth in the

Individual Building Charts section of this Report.

36 For example, ten years ago many employing offices were unaware of their statutory obligations

to visitors with disabilities; this is no longer true. Previously, there were virtually no visual alarms; now

there are visual alarms in virtually all public areas of most buildings. Restaurants and many restrooms

have been made ADA compliant. Assistive listening systems have been installed in many hearing rooms. 

 Compare current conditions described in this Report with those delineated in the General Counsel’s

1996 Report on Initial Inspection of Facilities for Compliance with ADA Standards, General Counsel’s

1998 Report on Inspections for Compliance with the ADA, and General Counsel’s 2000 Report on

Inspections for Compliance with the ADA. These Reports can be found on the OOC’s website

www.compliance.gov.

37 See General Counsel’s 2002 Report on Inspections for Compliance with the Public Access

Provisions of the ADA.

10

example, visual alarms have been installed in the majority of the buildings; when the CAA was

adopted ten years ago there were virtually no visual alarms. Additionally, restaurants and

cafeterias have been made accessible and Committee offices report that they comply with their

obligation to keep double-leaf doors open during hearings. However, there is much still to be

done to reach the second priority goals. Accessible wall maps and signage must be installed,33

appropriate evacuation procedures must be established including designating accessible routes

and creating safer Staging Areas with accessible two-way communication systems, and visual

alarms must be installed in all public areas of each building.

The third priority established by Title III of the ADA is to provide access to restroom

facilities.34 There has been steady progress in renovating and installing accessible restrooms in

the past ten years throughout the Capitol Hill buildings. Currently, there are designated

accessible restrooms in each building35 with the exception of the fourth floor of Rayburn, the

fifth floor of Cannon and the gallery floor of the Capitol Building. However, many doors to the

restrooms require too much force for someone in a wheelchair to open. This makes a designated

accessible restroom inaccessible. 

IV. IMPROVEMENTS

A. Recent Improvements

Since the enactment of the CAA in 1995, there has been significant progress in improving

access to and within the buildings on Capitol Hill.36 Since the General Counsel’s last ADA

report was issued in 200237 some additional progress has been made. In particular, visual alarms

have been installed throughout the Cannon and Longworth House Office Buildings. Restrooms

have been upgraded in the Dirksen Senate Office Building and made accessible. Assistive
38 28 C.F.R. §36.211

3928 C.F.R.Pt. 36 App. A §4.3.3

4028 C.F.R.§35.107(a)

41See Individual Building Reports section.

11

listening systems have been installed in most Committee hearing rooms in the Rayburn House

Office Building. Additional elevator banks have been made accessible in the Cannon, Rayburn,

Hart and Russell Buildings. 

1. Maintenance of Accessible Features During Construction38 

During the past two years, since the last ADA report was issued, there has been

considerable construction involving perimeter security. The construction apparently did not

block access to the buildings for visitors with disabilities although it did cause some

inconvenience. Some visitors reported to the OGC that the inconvenience could have been

alleviated if more USCP officers were aware of accessible routes to bypass the construction, and

then could properly direct visitors. Further, they indicated that AOC and USCP vehicles

temporarily parked on sidewalks created access problems. Vehicles idling or standing on

sidewalks or near curb cuts should leave at least 36 inches clear space to accommodate

individuals in wheelchairs.39

2. ADA Public Access Coordinator

Any public entity or “employing authority” that employs fifty or more people is required

to designate at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to comply with the public access

provisions of the ADA.40 Based on the answers to the questionnaire distributed by the General

Counsel it appears that all offices required to do so have such an ADA coordinator. Further,

many offices with fewer than fifty employees also have a designated ADA coordinator.

B. Recommendations for Future Improvements 

1. Accessible Evacuations

As noted above, the program access provisions of the ADA require that

evacuations from all buildings covered in this report be as prompt and safe for visitors

with disabilities as for others. What follows are the General Counsel’s recommendations

for satisfying this requirement. In those instances when removal of a barrier to safe and

prompt evacuation is “readily achievable,” or modification of procedures does not present

an “undue burden,” abatement is mandatory.

a. Accurate and accessible wall maps or signage providing information

about accessible egress must be installed in all buildings open to the

public. The AOC reports41 that it is installing wall maps that will provide

ADA information. However, wall maps and signage installed in the

House Office Buildings since the General Counsel’s 2004 inspection
4228 C.F.R. Pt. 36 App. A §4.30. See also NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code §7.10.1.4. The

AOC and the OOC disagree on the requirements regarding accessible maps and signage. Representatives

of the AOC and the OOC will meet for further discussions following issuance of this Report. 

4328 C.F.R. Pt. 36 App. A §§4.1.3(16); 4.30.4; 4.30.5; 4.30.6. Exit stairwells, discharge floors,

and discharge points are all “permanent spaces” and therefore raised and Brailled character signage is

required.

44NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code §7.5.4.1.

12

provide no information about accessible egress. Illuminated exit signs and

the newly installed wall maps do not distinguish between accessible and

non-accessible exits and thus may direct a visitor in a wheelchair in the

wrong direction. Accurate and accessible information and directions

should be provided in all buildings regarding accessible exit routes,

accessible discharge points from the building, and location of Staging

Areas.42 The General Counsel has repeatedly highlighted this problem in

every ADA Report since 1996. The AOC was allocated substantial

monies for fiscal year ending September 2004 to fund the Wayfinding and

ADA Compliant Signage Program; the OGC inspection revealed that, to

date, there are no wall maps or signs giving visitors who are disabled any

information about accessible emergency egress. 

b. Accessible exit signage must be installed at all building exits including

exit stairwells and exit discharge points.

43 Currently, there are no

accessible signs at building exits in any of the buildings open to the public. 

Without accessible signage visitors who are blind or vision-impaired are

unable to exit the building without assistance or direction. 

c. Signage should be provided for all Staging Areas. Staging areas are an

integral part of the plan in these buildings to evacuate individuals who are

mobility-impaired. Staging areas are locations where these individuals

can await the arrival of rescuers who will assist them to safely and

promptly evacuate the building in an emergency. In all buildings there is

inadequate signage directing visitors to the Staging Areas. In the House

Office buildings there is also no signage at the location of the Staging

Areas. Thus visitors who are mobility-impaired do not know where to go

for assistance unless directed to those areas by informed employees or

rescuers. 

d. Additional accessible emergency discharge points should be provided in a

number of buildings. In the Rayburn House Office Building there is only

one accessible exit discharge point. This is a violation of the Life Safety

Code44 and should be remedied as quickly as possible. In the Dirksen and 

and Hart Senate Office Buildings the secondary accessible exit route is

through an adjacent building; direct exit discharge to the outdoors is
45NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code §§3.3.63, 7.7.1 and 7.7.4; 29 C.F.R. §§1910.36(c)(1) and

1910.34(c)

46None of the Staging Areas in the buildings covered by this Report meet the safety requirements

for newly constructed buildings. 28 C.F.R. Pt. 36 App. A §§4.1.3 (9) and 4.3.11. Nevertheless, these

Staging Areas are an integral part of a prompt and safe evacuation of individuals with disabilities and

therefore should be as safe as possible. 

47NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code §7.2.2.5.1. See also 29 C.F.R. §1910.36(a)(2).

48See 28 C.F.R. Pt. 36, App. A §§ 4.3.11.4 and A.4.3.11.4.

49See NFPA 72-1999 National Fire Alarm Code §3-8.4.1.3.7.2

13

preferred.45 The installation of small ramps at certain building exits would

create additional accessible emergency exit discharge points in most

instances. Once additional accessible exits have been created, the alternate

accessible exit routes should be added to the building wall maps or

indicated with other signage. The attached Individual Building Charts

provide details of the General Counsel’s suggestions for inexpensive

modifications that would create additional accessible discharge points. 

e. The Staging Areas in the Longworth House Office Building, the Hart

Senate Office Building, and the second and third floors of the Capitol

Building should be moved to less hazardous locations.46 The Staging Areas

in the Longworth House Office Buildings and in the Capitol Building are at

the top of open stairwells. This can expose waiting individuals to the

“chimney effect” of heat and toxic gases rising from floors below.47 This

location could also impede the egress of individuals using the stairwells as

their emergency exit. The Staging Areas in the Hart Building are located at

an elevator bank that does not serve all floors. The General Counsel’s

suggestions for safer Staging Areas in these buildings are set forth in the

Individual Building Charts section of this Report. 

f. Individuals waiting rescue in Staging Areas must have an accessible means

of communication to contact rescuers. At the present time, such individuals

have no way to communicate with rescuers. A two-way communication

system would enable individuals located in Staging Area to contact 

rescuers stationed at the main fire panel. In most of the designated Staging

Areas there are existing fire-fighter telephones which could easily be

modified to become compliant two-way communication systems. These

existing telephones do not currently meet the requirements for accessible

two-way communication because many of them are locked and/or are

located above the reach-range of an individual in a wheelchair. Further, the

location of the telephone is not currently indicated on the fire panel

monitored by rescuers and therefore rescuers might not know the location

of an individual using the telephone who is unable to speak.48 The existing

fire-fighter telephones, if modified, could be used by individuals awaiting

assistance in the Staging Areas as well as by fire-fighters.49 Until a
50 The results of our questionnaires indicate that, despite the outreach and training efforts of these

organizations, many staff were unaware of the services offered and have not been trained. The high rate

of staff turnover may be one reason. 

14

compliant two-way communication system is activated, the Staging Areas

must be continuously monitored by rescue personnel during all drills and

emergencies to ensure that no one is left behind during an evacuation.

Whether this would prove to be a realistic alternative in a true emergency

evacuation is questionable.

g. The USCP should provide additional training to its officers, particularly

officers stationed in the House Office Buildings, to assure that they are

able to effect a prompt and safe evacuation of a sizable number of

individuals with mobility impairments. Committee hearings and other

events bring many visitors in wheelchairs to the buildings on Capitol Hill. 

Despite requests, the General Counsel was unable to obtain sufficiently

detailed information to evaluate building-wide evacuation plans in time for

this Report. The General Counsel intends to pursue this assessment during

the 109th ADA inspection. Based on the 2004 inspection of buildings and

comments received from individual USCP officers and other employees,

the General Counsel cannot verify that the USCP is currently able to

conduct a prompt and safe evacuation in each of the covered buildings of

any sizable number of visitors with mobility impairments. 

h. Additional efforts at training and retraining of staff regarding evacuations

of visitors with disabilities appears to be necessary. The House Office of

Emergency Planning and Preparedness Operations and the Senate Office of

Security and Emergency Preparedness provide informational literature and

training to Member and Committee offices regarding the evacuation of

individuals with disabilities.50 Many Member and Committee offices have

indicated a desire to receive further training on how to assist visitors with

disabilities in the event of an evacuation drill or actual emergency. Of the

offices that responded to the General Counsel’s questionnaire, a large

number reported that the USCP had instructed them to contact the USCP

during an evacuation if they had visitors who needed assistance in

evacuating the building. However, in order to assure safe and prompt

evacuation of individuals during an emergency, it is imperative that staff be

familiar with the plan for evacuating visitors with disabilities from their

respective buildings and know the location of the Staging Areas on their

floors before the evacuation drill or emergency occurs. Training should

also include information about accessible egress routes and discharge

points, the proper method of helping blind individuals with canes or service

dogs, and the proper method of transporting individuals with mobilityimpairments down exit stairwells.

2. Accessible Communications

a. Additional efforts to notify staff of the services provided by the
51Compare 28 C.F.R. 35.160(b)(2) with 29 C.F.R. §1630.9(a).

52During the 108th Congress, the General Counsel received several informal complaints from

visitors about the lack of sign-language interpreters and real time captioning at Committee hearings, and

about the unfamiliarity of Committee staff members with internal procedures for arranging for the

provision of interpreting services. When these matters are timely brought to the attention of the OGC,

this office seeks to inform the responsible employing office so that any issues can be resolved informally

and expeditiously. In 2004, a formal charge was filed with the General Counsel alleging that a requested

auxiliary aid and service was not provided for an individual who wanted to attend a Committee hearing. 

Although the Committee offered certain auxiliary aids and services, the charge alleged that the offered

services would not enable the individual with the hearing disability to hear the proceedings. The charge

was informally resolved and withdrawn following negotiations between the charging party, the

Committee and CSSO. 

15

Congressional Special Services Office (CSSO) should be considered. The

CSSO provides sign language interpreters and auxiliary aids and services,

upon request, for individuals with hearing impairments who are official

visitors to Members of Congress or for witnesses at Committee hearings. 

Although CSSO expends considerable effort on outreach and training,

many offices that responded to a questionnaire issued by the General

Counsel indicated that they were not aware of the services offered by

CSSO. As previously noted, the high rate of staff turnover presents a

particular challenge to educating all staff regarding this essential

information. During the 109th Congress, the OOC intends to work with the

CSSO and other employing offices to explore ways to increase staff

awareness of disability issues. 

b. Consideration should be given to supplying additional assistance to

Committees in providing auxiliary aids for audience members during

Committee hearings. Individual Committees are responsible for providing

qualified sign language interpreters or other auxiliary aids for members of

the audience at Committee hearings. “Primary consideration” must be

given to the aid or service requested by the individual with disabilities who

wishes to attend the hearing. This differs from, and is in some respects a

higher standard than the “reasonable accommodation” standard applicable

to employment situations.51 CSSO provides vendor names, upon request, to

assist Committees in procuring the requested services for audience

members. Because this process can be confusing to Committee staff who

do not often receive such requests and are unfamiliar with the technical

aspects of auxiliary devices, it might be more expeditious for CSSO to

directly arrange for these services on behalf of the Committees.52

c. The General Counsel supports the efforts of the AOC and the CAO to

continue to upgrade Committee hearing rooms to provide permanent

assistive listening systems. Assistive listening systems augment a standard

audio system by providing signals which can be received by individuals
5328 C.F.R. Pt. 36 App A §§4.33.7 and A4.33.7.

5429 U.S.C. §794d

55See description of requirements for web-design at http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/

guide/1194.22.htm and an online training at http://www.section508.gov/

index.cfm?FuseAction+Content&ID=5. House Information Resources (202-225-6002) and Senate

Sergeant-at-Arms Information Office (202-224-8313) can provide assistance in creating web pages that

are compliant with the requirements of Section 508. 

16

using hearing aids or special receivers.53 

d. Individual offices are encouraged to ensure that their websites are

accessible to individuals who are visually impaired. Section 508 of the

Rehabilitation Act of 1973,54 which is applicable to Executive Branch

agencies, requires electronic information to be equally accessible by

individuals with disabilities as by individuals without disabilities. While

the OOC does not have jurisdiction to enforce Section 508, the OOC

encourages each individual office to ensure that its website is accessible.55 

3. Modification of Practices and Procedures and Removal of Other Barriers to

Access

a. Training should be provided to USCP officers regarding access to Capitol

Hill buildings by visitors with disabilities. The General Counsel has

received reports from visitors that getting through the security entrances of

the Capitol Hill buildings has sometimes been difficult for visitors who are

in wheelchairs or who are blind. Representatives from disability rights

organizations have recommended that USCP officers receive specialized

training on assisting individuals with disabilities through the security

entrances. They explained that officers should not touch the cane or the

service-dog of an individual who is blind or low-vision, but rather to let the

individual be guided by the hand or arm of the officer. Officers should also

be taught that individuals in wheelchairs may need help getting their

belongings onto the security belt at the building entrance. 

b. Training should be provided to USCP officers and AOC construction crews

regarding keeping vehicles clear of sidewalk curb cuts. The General

Counsel has received reports from individuals that temporarily parked

vehicles sometimes block access on sidewalks. USCP officers and AOC

construction crews should be made aware to keep at least 36 inches of clear

space on side walks and near curb cuts to enable clear passage for

individuals in wheelchairs. 

c. The ongoing restroom upgrade project should continue. Designated

accessible restrooms are now available throughout all buildings with the
56The AOC reports that additional accessible restroom are scheduled for construction in the

Capitol Building.

17

exception of the fifth floor of Cannon, the fourth floor of Rayburn and the

gallery floor of the Capitol.56 However, many restrooms that are designated 

accessible are made inaccessible by heavy doors that cannot by opened by a

person in a wheelchair. To become compliant, door hinges for all of these

restrooms must be adjusted to decrease the force required to open the door. 

Additionally there are toggle switches for the automatic door openers inside

the accessible restrooms in the Capitol Building. These switches should be

relocated because they are outside the reach range of an individual in a

wheelchair. Other accessibility problems with individual restrooms are

delineated in the Individual Building Charts section of this Report. 

d. A few individual offices reported that they have encountered disability

access problems during staff-led tours of the Capitol Building because

some ramps are too steep. The AOC reports that this problem will be

resolved once the new Capitol Visitors Center is operational. 
57Accessible means that the feature complies with the ADA standards for Non-Discrimination on

the Basis of Disability promulgated by the U.S. Department of Justice. The applicable standards are

published at 28 CFR Parts 35 and 36. 

58 See NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code § 39.2.4.2. See also 29 CFR 1910.36(b)(1).

18

V. INDIVIDUAL BUILDING CHARTS

Detailed results and analysis of the OGC ADA public access inspections of the 108th

Congress are set forth in building charts below. The General Counsel requested comment and

response from the entities responsible for abatement of violations. The responses of the

responsible employing offices, including plans for removal of barriers and modification of

practices and procedures, are included on the charts in this Section and in the Appendix to this

Report. 

A. Cannon House Office Building (Size 671,921 square feet)

Accessible Building Entrance: Can a visitor who uses a wheelchair or who has other mobility

impairments freely enter the building?

 Feature Description of Current Barrier

to ADA Accessibility

Comments or Plans to Remedy

Access Issues

New Jersey

Entrance

Accessible57

Signage for

Accessible

Entrance

Accessible

Sidewalks and

Curb Ramps

Accessible

Emergency Procedures: Does a visitor with a disability have equal opportunity to safely

evacuate the building, or get to a designated shelter-in-place location (on a higher floor, if

appropriate), in the event of an drill or an actual emergency? 

 Feature Description of Current

Barriers to Accessibility

Comments or Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Accessible

Emergency

Exit Routes

• There are two accessible

emergency discharge

points from the building

as required by the

National Fire Protection

Association (NFPA).58 
59 The NFPA requires that all exit routes, including accessible exit routes, be clearly indicated. 

NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code § 7.10.1.4. The AOC has stated in prior ADA Biennial Reports that it

plans to install wall maps to indicate the accessible exit routes along with other features of the building,

but to date has not done so. The wall maps must comply with ADA Signage requirements. 28 CFR Pt 36

App A §4.30. Non-existent or inaccurate information about accessible exit routes is also a violation of

OSH standards protecting employees. 29 CFR 1910.37(b)(4). The OOC has reported this problem in

every ADA biennial report since 1996 and it remains uncorrected. For fiscal year ending September 30,

2004, $407,000 was appropriated for the House Office Buildings for the Wayfinding and ADA

Compliant Signage Program.

60 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.30 requires the signage to be in raised and Braille characters, have

letters that contrast with the background, and be mounted at a height of 60 inches. 

19

Exit Door/Exit

Route Signs

• There are no signs or

wall maps indicating the

accessible exit routes or

discharge points.59 Wall

maps must indicate the

accessible exit routes, 

accessible discharge

points, location of Staging

Area on each floor, and

location of accessible

building features. 

• Exit signage at all the

building exits does not

meet the requirements for

accessibility.60

AOC - Wayfinding & Signage Project currently in

progress in the RHOB. Installation will move to the

CHOB once the LHOB and the RHOB are

complete.

USCP - This item does not fall within USCP

responsibility.

OOC response to AOC comment: The newly

installed wall maps do not show accessible

egress routes, accessible discharge points or

the location of Staging Areas. Nor are there

any signs giving directions to these accessible

egress features. Additionally, there is no

signage in Braille indicating the exit stairwells

and exit discharge points. Without appropriate

maps, signage or directions, unescorted

visitors who are disabled may be unable to

find their way out of the building during an

evacuation.
61 If disabled individuals cannot immediately evacuate it is permitted to temporarily postpone

their evacuation while the emergency is assessed, so long as they are waiting in a protected area. See

NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code §A.3.3.14. There are no such protected areas in the building that meet

the fire safety requirements for Areas of Rescue Assistance (28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.3.11) or Areas of

Refuge (NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code §3.3.14). Instead, office evacuation plans call for disabled

individuals to gather at specified Staging Areas to await assistance in leaving the building. Visitors are

to be directed to these areas by staff from employing offices in the building. Minimal safety features,

including accessible signage and two-way communications systems must be provided in these Staging

Areas even though these areas do not otherwise meet fire safety requirements. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §§

4.3.11.4 and 4.3.11.5. Some people with mobility impairments can move at only very slow speeds and

there must be a way for them to communicate with rescuers in case they get left behind in the Staging

Area after it has been checked. See 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §A4.3.1. District of Columbia Fire

Department fire-fighters will rescue only those individuals from the Staging Areas that are in the

immediate danger zone. Evacuation of other individuals who are awaiting assistance must be provided

by properly trained employees, such as USCP officers. See also 29 CFR 1910.38(c). 

62 If the existing fire-fighter phones are to be used as the two-way communication system, the

telephone cabinets must be unlocked, their height modified, and appropriate signage provided. When the

telephones are in use their location should be indicated at the fire alarm panel or police command center

because the person using the telephone may be unable to speak. See 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §A4.3.11.4. 

Most of the telephones do not currently have any of these properties.

20

Areas of

Rescue

Assistance

 •Staging areas 61 are

properly located in

partially enclosed

stairwells. ********

*********************

*********************

*********************

*********************

*********************

*********************

************. 

 •There are no accessible

two-way communication

systems located in the

Staging Areas.62 

 • There is no signage

indicating the location of

the Staging Areas. 

AOC - Fire Doors - Part of Egress Study/ Project

(Project #010029) with an ECD of FY11.

Referenced sections describe the provisions of an

area of refuge, NFPA 101-2000:7.2.12 establishes

when required. NFPA 101-2000:1.2.12.1 & IBC

Section 1007 exempts areas of refuge in bldgs

protected thru-out by an auto sprinkler system.

Therefore, we do not interpret the applicable codes

to require areas of refuge or the associated 2 way

communication & signage.

USCP - The installation of fire-doors, two way

communication systems in the stairwells and

signage are not within the responsibility of the

USCP. The OOC representation in footnote 5

regarding DC Fire and USCP responsibilities is

incorrect and recommend striking. OOC does not

direct the USCP responsibilities. USCP personnel

are available to assist in the safe evacuation of all

occupants.

OOC response to AOC comment: While the

AOC takes the position that Staging Areas are

not required in the building, plans from

Member and Committee offices indicate that
63 The ADA requires that visual alarms be installed in, at minimum, restrooms, meeting rooms

hallways, lobbies and any other common use areas. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.28.1. Requirements for

individual offices where deaf or hard of hearing employees may work are covered by the Occupational

Safety and Health Act (OSHA). See 29 CFR 1910.165(b)(2) and NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code

§9.6.3.6. 

21

individuals who are mobility impaired are to

be directed to the nearest Staging Area.

Visitors who are in the hallways at the time of

the alarm must also be able to find the Staging

Areas. These locations are not currently

shown on the new wall maps or on other

signage. Further, there is no way for persons

with disabilities in the Staging Areas to

contact rescuers. Thus, individuals may be

left behind in the Staging Areas unless there is

a plan to conduct multiple “sweeps” of these

areas, or to create a two-way communication

system by, for example, modifying the existing

fire-fighter phones. 

OOC response to USCP comment: The OOC

has confirmed that the D.C. Fire Department

will only evacuate individuals from Staging

Areas that are in the immediate zone of

danger. If USCP is not responsible for

evacuating individuals from other Staging

Areas, it is unclear what other entity has this

responsibility. Without a designation of

responsibilities, individuals who are mobilityimpaired may simply be left in the Staging

Areas to wait out the evacuation.

Visual Alarms Visual alarms have been

installed in most areas of

the building open to the

public.63 ***********

*********************

*********************

*********************

******.

AOC - Strobes will be added to rooms. To be

completed in FY05.

Committees - Structural changes to hearing rooms

are within the purview of the AOC. Therefore the

Committees defer to the response of the AOC. 
64 Forty employing offices in Cannon responded to an OOC questionnaire regarding ADA public

access. 

65 There are no wall maps showing the Staging Areas. See also footnote 59, above. 

22

Plan for

Evacuation of

Mobility

Impaired

Employees and

Visitors

• Each office has an

evacuation plan. The

USCP is responsible for

coordinating the plans and

facilitating the evacuation

from the building. Citing

security concerns the

USCP declined to provide

the OOC with sufficiently

detailed information for

the OOC to evaluate the

plan for evacuating

mobility impaired visitors

and employees from the

building. Nevertheless,

based on the information

available, the OOC is

concerned that the

building-wide evacuation

does not properly provide

for prompt evacuation of

disabled visitors.

• Many of the Member

and Committee offices in

Cannon that responded to

an OOC questionnaire64

reported that they do not

know where to direct,65 or

how to assist, a disabled

visitor in the event of an

evacuation drill or

emergency. Other offices

reported that they would

direct disabled visitors to

the nearest Staging Area. 

• Most of the employing

offices in Cannon that

responded to the OOC

questionnaire stated that

they would like training in

how to assist disabled

visitors during an

evacuation. 

USCP - The USCP evacuation plan is available for

review and evaluation by the OOC upon

completion of Memorandum of Understanding

(MOU). However, information pertaining to the

evacuation of Members of Congress may be

withheld for security reasons consistent with law. 

The USCP is not responsible for coordinating

plans. USCP personnel are available to assist in

the safe evacuation consistent with workplace

safety requirements and to facilitate

communications. There is no evidence that USCP

officer assistance may contribute to the problem of

providing prompt evacuation of disabled visitors. 

USCP personnel may be positioned at staging

areas consistent with workplace safety

requirements and are able to assist in the safe

evacuation and to facilitate communication.

In an evacuation, USCP personnel are available to

assist in the safe evacuation and to facilitate

communications. Previously, before September 11,

2001 (9/11), USCP officers provided information to

employing offices in Cannon regarding the safe

evacuation of occupants.

OOC response to USCP response:

Coordination of evacuation routes and plans is

essential for a safe and prompt evacuation. 

Evacuation plans of individual offices that

were examined by the OOC suggest that there

was some coordination with the USCP. The

OOC will continue to investigate evacuation

plan coordination during its inspections for 

the 109th Congress. 
66

 The OOC has reported this problem in every ADA biennial report since 1996 and it remains

uncorrected. For fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, $407,000 was appropriated for the House

Office Buildings for the Wayfinding and ADA Compliant signage program.

23

Communications Access to Programs, Services and Activities: Does a qualified individual

with a disability have equal communications access to the programs and activities of each of the

public entities in the building.

 Feature Description of Current

Barriers to Accessibility

Comments or Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Effective

Communication:

Information

and Signage

There are no wall maps or

other signage to indicate

accessible features of the

building including

restrooms, restaurants,

Staging Areas, egress

routes and exit discharge

points.66

AOC - Current Wayfinding/Signage Program.

Signs in the process of being installed.

OOC comment on AOC response: The

newly installed wall maps do not show

accessible egress routes, accessible exit

discharge points or Staging Areas; there is

also no other signage indicating the

location of these accessible egress

features. The new maps do show the

location of accessible restrooms. 
67 See footnote 65.

68 A public entity, or here an “employing authority,” that communicates with the public via

telephone must also have a TDD or equally effective telecommunication system, such as a telephone

relay system, for communicating with individuals who have hearing or speech impairments. 28 CFR

§35.161.

69 A public entity, or “employing authority,” is required to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and

services to ensure that communications with individuals with disabilities are as effective as

communications with others. In determining what type of auxiliary aid and service is necessary, the

public entity must give primary consideration to the request of the individual with the disability. 28 CFR

§35.160.

24

Effective

Communication: Offices

and individual

requests 

• Many Member and

Committee offices in

Cannon that responded to

an OOC questionnaire

reported67 that they do not

have access to TDD or a

telephone-relay system.68

• A few of the Member and

Committee offices in

Cannon that responded to

an OOC questionnaire

reported that they had

received at least one

request for auxiliary aids

and services69 from a

constituent or visitor with a

hearing or vision

impairment.

• A number of the Member

and Committee offices in

Cannon that responded to

an OOC questionnaire

reported that they did not

know how to respond to a

request for a sign language

interpreter or other

auxiliary aid and service

from a constituent or other

member of the public with

a hearing impairment. 

USCP - This item does not fall within USCP

responsibility. However, to the extent that access

to TDD or a telephone-relay system involves

interconnectivity with the USCP emergency

number, USCP will help to facilitate the

connection.

CAO - As the employee population of the House

is constantly turning over, training and outreach

are constant challenges. It should be noted that

the House provides ‘HouseSmart’ which is a

comprehensive reference guide to all services

offered. Included in ‘HouseSmart’ is a section

relating to services for persons with disabilities

(pgs 30-34). The services listed include, but are

not limited to, information regarding the House

relay system, public TTY phones, systems for the

hearing impaired to use in Committee Hearing

Rooms, and sign language interpreters. Also

included in ‘HouseSmart’ is information on

Congressional Special Services Office which

provides certain services for visitors with

disabilities. The latest edition of ‘HouseSmart’

was distributed to all Member, Committee and

support offices of the House in January 2005.

Since the last edition of ‘HouseSmart,’ the CAO

has published an article on the TTY system in the

House Services Bulletin - a bi-weekly CAO

publication that highlights services available

throughout the House Campus. An upcoming

article and brochure will feature the House Relay

System and its availability to Member and

Committee Offices. Like ‘HouseSmart’, the

House Services Bulletin is distributed to all

Member, Committee and support offices of the

House. Also, Member and Committee offices are

permitted to purchase their own accessible

equipment. CAO House Support Services and

House Information Resources can assist offices

in obtaining this equipment.
70Assistive listening systems are required in assembly areas where audible communications are

integral to the use of the space. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.1.3(19)(b).

71Signage must indicate that an assistive listening system is provided. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A

§4.30.7(4).

25

Effective

Communication: Hearing

Rooms

There is no assistive

listening system70 in

committee rooms 340, 210

and 304

Assistive listening system

available, but no signage71

in committee room 334.

AOC - To be addressed during Committee

Hearing Room Renovations. Signs part of

Wayfinding Project currently in progress.

CAO - Presently, there is an accommodation

to this issue. Congressional Special Services

Offices (CSSO) has portable induction loops to

assist those members of the public that require

assistance. In addition, upon reasonable

notice from committee staff, the CAO in

conjunction with CSSO will assist in making

arrangement for reasonable accommodations. 

The 2002 OOC ADA Report accepted the use

of portable induction devices as an

accommodation to assist those members of the

public with hearing impairments. In addition,

the CAO is moving forward on a permanent

solution to this. Primary committee hearing

rooms are undergoing renovation. Included in

this renovation as a base installation are

infrared assistive hearing systems with a

minimum of 10 headsets. At the present time,

subcommittee hearing rooms are not scheduled

for renovations. The two hearing rooms listed

are subcommittee hearing rooms.

Committees - Committees are dedicated to

making their hearing accessible to persons

with disabilities. When given reasonable

notice of the need for an accommodation, the

Committees will work with appropriate entities

to provide reasonable accommodations to

witnesses and/or audience members. 

Installation of assistive listening systems is

within the purview of the CAO and the

Committees defer to the CAO response to

address the issue further. Signage has been

provided for Room 334. 

Access to Offices and Hearing Rooms: Do individuals who have a mobility impairment have
72Objects which can not be detected at floor level by a blind person using a cane are considered

protruding objects. For detailed specifications of protruding objects see 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.4.1.

73Door handles must be easy to grasp with one hand and not require tight grasping, pinching or

twisting of the wrist. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.13.9.

26

equal access to the public areas in each office and hearing room?

 Feature Description of Current

Barriers to Accessibility

Comments or Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Path of travel

from

accessible

main entrance

to offices and

hearing rooms

• Water fountains act as

“protruding objects”72 and

are a hazard to individuals

who are blind and use a

cane. 

• A Member’s office on the

5

th floor reported that not all

elevators go to that floor

and there were no signs to

direct visitors to the

appropriate elevators.

AOC - Will be included in building upgrades.

AOC - Signs will be posted at elevators that

do not serve the 5th floor.

Offices To be inspected in 109th

Congress

Elevators Accessible

Doors to each

committee

hearing room 

Non-compliant door

hardware73 makes a hearing

room non-accessible.

***********************

***********************

***********************

*******************.

AOC - To be addressed during Committee

Hearing Room Renovations. Will defer to

employing office occupants for interim.

Committees - The Committees have staffers

posted at the doors to assist those with

mobility impairments in entering and exiting

hearing rooms. As the Committees are not

responsible for structural changes to the

hearing rooms, the Committees defer to the

AOC response regarding alterations to the

doors and/or door hardware.
74Sufficient knee clearance must be provided for a witness who is in a wheelchair. The knee

space must be at least 27 inches high, 30 inches wide and 19 inches deep. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.32.3. 

75Minimum clear width of an accessible route is 36 inches except at doorways where the

minimum is 32 inches. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §§4.3.3, 4.13.4 and 4.13.5.

27

Witness

Tables

Non-accessible table

height74 in committee room 

340. 

CAO - Generally, for Committee Rooms that

do not have witness tables that meet the

requisite height, the CAO upon notice from

committee staff either raise the existing

witness table to the proper height to allow for

wheelchair accessibility; provide an

accessible extension to the table or

permanently modify the structure of the table

to allow for wheelchair access depending

upon the direction of the committee staff.

Committees - In the event that a witness in a

wheelchair or other assistive mobility device

is attending a hearing, the Committees will

work with the CAO’s office to ensure

compliance with ADA requirements through

alteration of existing witness tables. The

Committees defer to the CAO response

regarding procedures for altering witness

tables in hearing rooms.

Path of travel

within hearing

rooms

All accessible75

Restrooms: Are public restrooms accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs or have other

mobility impairments?

 Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Comments or Plans to

Remedy Access Issues
76Accessible restrooms are restrooms which can be used by an individual who uses a wheelchair. 

The specific requirements are set forth at 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §§4.13, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18, 4.19, 4.22, 4.23,

4.24, 4.26 and 4.27. There must be at least one accessible men’s room and one accessible women’s room

on each floor. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A 4.1.6(3)(e)(i). Accessible restrooms are also required for employees

who use wheelchairs. 29 CFR 1910.141(c).

77The maximum door opening force permitted for interior doors is 5 lbs. 28 CFR Pt 36 AppA

4.13.11(2)(b). 

78Faucet handles cannot require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist to be operable. 

28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.27.4.

79

 The accessible restrooms must be identified when not all restrooms are accessible. 28 CFR Pt

36 App A 4.1.2 (7)(d). See also footnote 67. 

80 See footnote 60.

81 See footnote 79.

28

Accessible

restrooms

• There are no accessible restrooms76 on the

5

th floor.

• Door weight is too heavy.77 Therefore,

otherwise accessible restrooms are

considered to be non-accessible for C1AB1,

C1D1, C2AD7, C4AB1 and C4AD1.

• Faucet handles in accessible restrooms

C1AB1 and C1D1 are not compliant.78

AOC - All HOB Restrooms

slated for renovations.

Renovations to include auto

operators.

Work orders have been

written to correct faucet

handles. ECD: 7/1/05.

Signage and

maps

• There are no maps or signs in hallways

indicating locations of accessible restrooms.79

• Signage at restrooms not accessible because

too high and not in Braille.80

AOC - Included in

Wayfinding and Signage

Project currently in

progress.

Building Features: Are other facilities and features in the building readily accessible and usable

by individuals with disabilities such as mobility impaired, vision impaired or hearing impaired?

 Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Comments or Plans to

Remedy Access Issues

Public

Telephones

Accessible

Drinking

fountains

There is at least one drinking fountain per

floor that can be used by a person in a

wheelchair. However, the controls are not

compliant with the requirements of the

ADA.81

AOC - To be included in

building upgrades. No

known completion date.

Health Unit

Room 110

Accessible
29

Restaurant -

Cannon

Carry-Out

Accessible
82 In 2002 the AOC reported that it had completed the design for a new ramp. 

83See footnote 57. 

84 The ramp incline is 11%. The maximum ramp incline for new construction is 8.33% and 

ramp inclines of between 6.25% and 5% are preferred. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.8.2 and A4.8.2.

30

B. Longworth House Office Building (Size 2,256,100 square feet)

Accessible Building Entrance: Can a visitor who uses a wheelchair or who has other mobility

impairments freely enter the building?

 Feature Description of Current Barrier to ADA

Accessibility

Comments or Plans to

Remedy Access Issues

Independence

Ave Entrance

Not accessible because landing area on ramp

is too small where the direction changes.82

AOC - Project #000144

slated to begin 8/05 to

modify ramp.

Signage for

Accessible

Entrance

Accessible83

Sidewalks and

Curb Ramps

Accessible

Emergency Procedures: Does a visitor with a disability have equal opportunity to safely

evacuate the building, or get to a designated shelter-in-place location (on a higher floor if

appropriate), in the event of a drill or an actual emergency? 

 Feature Description of Current

Barriers to Accessibility

Comments or Plans to Remedy

Access Issues

Accessible

Emergency

Exit Routes

•Accessible exit discharge to

New Jersey and C is not clearly

marked.

• Ramp is too steep at accessible

exit discharge onto South Capitol

Street.84

AOC - Wayfinding/ Signage program

currently in progress. 

Ramp design done. Funding needed.
85

 See footnote 59. 

86 See footnote 60.

31

Exit

Door/Exit

Route Signs

• There are no wall maps. 85 Wall

maps must indicate the accessible

exit routes, accessible discharge

points, location of Staging Area

on each floor, and location of

accessible building features.

• Exit signage at all building exits

is not accessible.86

AOC - Wayfinding / Signage program in

progress.

OOC response to AOC comment:

The newly installed wall maps do not

show accessible egress routes,

accessible discharge points or the

location of Staging Areas. Nor are

there any signs giving directions to

these accessible egress features. 

Additionally, there is no signage in

Braille indicating the exit stairwells

and exit discharge points. Without

appropriate maps, signage or

directions, unescorted visitors who

are disabled may be unable to find

their way out of the building during

an evacuation.
87 See footnotes 61 and 63.

32

Areas of

Rescue

Assistance

• ***********************

***************************

***************************

***************************

***************************

***************************

***************************

***************************

***********************. 87 

• There are no two-way

communication systems. Two

way communication systems

must be provided in all Staging

Areas.

AOC - Fire-rated doors part of Project

#040052 - LHOB Prescriptive Egress

Feasibility Study & Design. ECD: FY08.

USCP - This item does not fall within

USCP responsibility.

OOC response to AOC comment:

The AOC does not give a date for

construction to solve the problem

open stairwells. Until the stairwells

have been enclosed, the Staging

Areas should be relocated as the

current location is very hazardous. 

USCP - The installation of two-way

communication systems in staging areas

does not fall within USCP responsibility.

AOC - Referenced sections describe the

provisions of an area of refuge. NFPA

101-2000:7.2.12 establishes when

required. NFPA 101-2000:1.2.12.1 &

IBC Section 1007 exempts areas of

refuge in bldgs protected thru-out by an

auto sprinkler system. Therefore the

applicable codes do not require areas of

refuge or the associated 2 way

communication.

OOC response to AOC comment:

While the AOC takes the position

that Staging Areas are not required in

the building, plans from Member and

Committee offices indicate that

individuals who are mobility

impaired are to be directed to the

nearest Staging Area. Visitors who

are in the hallways at the time of the

alarm must also be able to find the

Staging Areas. These locations are

not currently shown on the new wall

maps or on other signage. Further,

there is no way for persons with

disabilities in the Staging Areas to

contact rescuers. Thus, individuals

may be left behind in the Staging

Areas unless there is a plan to

conduct multiple “sweeps” of these

areas, or to create a two-way

communication system by, for

example, modifying the existing fire-
88See footnote 64.

33

Visual Alarms Visual alarms88 have been

installed throughout most of the

building except:

***************************

***************************

***************************

*************************.

AOC - Strobes to be added as part of an

existing strobe upgrade project. 

Estimated completion date by FY06.

Committees - Structural changes to

hearing rooms are within the purview of

the AOC. Therefore, the Committees

defer to the response of the AOC.
89 See previous section on “Areas of Rescue Assistance.” 

90 Forty-one of the employing offices in Longworth responded to an OOC questionnaire on ADA

public access. 

91There are no wall maps indicating the location of the Staging Areas or the accessible exit

routes. See also footnote 59.

34

Plan for

Evacuation of

Mobility

Impaired

Employees

and Visitors

• Each office has an evacuation

plan. The USCP is responsible

for coordinating evacuation plans

and facilitating the evacuation

from the building. Citing

security concerns the USCP

declined to provide the OOC

with sufficiently detailed

information for the OOC to

evaluate the plan for evacuating

mobility impaired visitors and

employees from the building. 

Nevertheless, based on the

information available, the OOC

is concerned that the building

wide evacuation does not

properly provide for prompt

evacuation of disabled visitors. 

 • There are locations on each

floor that, with minor

modifications, could be much

safer Staging Areas than the

current locations. 89

 • Most of the employing offices

in Longworth that responded to

an OOC questionnaire90 reported

that they did not know where to

direct91 or how to assist a visitor

with disabilities in the event of

an evacuation drill or emergency. 

Other offices reported that they

have been advised to call USCP

for instructions if they have a

disabled visitor during an

evacuation.

***************************

***************************

***************************

***************************

******************.

• Most of the employing offices

in Longworth that responded to

USCP - The USCP evacuation plan is

available for review and evaluation by

the OOC upon completion of the MOU. 

However, information pertaining to the

evacuation of Members of Congress may

be withheld for security reasons

consistent with law. The USCP is not

responsible for coordinating plans. 

There is no evidence that USCP officer

assistance during an evacuation may

contribute to the problem of providing

prompt evacuation of disabled visitors.

OOC response to USCP response:

Coordination of evacuation routes

and plans is essential for a safe and

prompt evacuation. Evacuation

plans of individual offices that were

examined by the OOC suggest that

there was some coordination with the

USCP. The OOC will continue to

investigate evacuation plan

coordination during its inspections

for the 109th Congress. 

USCP - This item does not fall within

USCP responsibility. 

USCP - In an evacuation, USCP

personnel are able to assist in the safe

evacuation and to facilitate

communications. Previously, before

September 11, 2001 (9/11), USCP

provided information to employing

offices in Longworth regarding the safe

evacuation of occupants. 
92 The OOC has reported this problem in every ADA biennial report since 1996 and it remains

uncorrected. For fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, $407,000 was appropriated for the House

Office Buildings for the Wayfinding and ADA Compliant Signage Program. 

35

that they would like training in how to assist

disabled visitors during an evacuation.

USCP - Additional

training can be arranged.

Communications Access to Programs, Services and Activities: Does a qualified individual

with a disability have equal communications access to the programs and activities of each of the

public entities in the building.

 Feature Description of Current

Barriers to Accessibility

Comments or Plans to Remedy

Access Issues

Effective

Communication:

Information

and Signage

There are no wall maps or other

signage to indicate accessible

features of the building including

restrooms, restaurants, Staging

Areas, egress routes and

discharge points.92

AOC - Wayfinding/ Signage program in

progress.

OOC comment on AOC response: The

newly installed wall maps do not show

accessible egress routes, accessible

exit discharge points or Staging Areas;

there is also no other signage

indicating the location of these

accessible egress features. The new

maps do show the location of

accessible restrooms. 
93See footnotes 69-70.

36

Effective

Communication: Offices

and individual

requests

93

• A small number of the Member

and Committee offices in

Longworth that responded to an

OOC questionnaire reported that

they had received at least one

request for auxiliary aids and

services from a hearing-impaired

or low-vision constituent or

visitor. 

• Most of the Member and

Committee offices in Longworth

that responded to an OOC

questionnaire reported that they

do not have access to TDD or a

telephone-relay system.

• Many of the Member and

Committee offices in Longworth

that responded to an OOC

questionnaire reported that they

did not know how to respond to a

request for a sign language

interpreter or other auxiliary aid

from a deaf or hard-of-hearing

constituent or member of the

public. 

CAO - As the employee population of the

House is constantly turning over, training

and outreach are constant challenges. It

should be noted that the House provides

‘HouseSmart’ which is a comprehensive

reference guide to all services offered. 

Included in ‘HouseSmart’ is a section

relating to services for persons with

disabilities (pgs 30-34). The services listed

include, but are not limited to, information

regarding the House relay system, public

TTY phones, systems for the hearing

impaired to use in Committee Hearing

Rooms, and sign language interpreters. 

Also included in ‘HouseSmart’ is

information on Congressional Special

Services Office which provides certain

services for visitors with disabilities. The

latest edition of ‘HouseSmart’ was

distributed to all Member, Committee and

support offices of the House in January

2005.

Since the last edition of ‘HouseSmart’, the

CAO has published an article on the TTY

system in the House Services Bulletin - a biweekly CAO publication that highlights

services available throughout the House

Campus. An upcoming article and brochure

will feature the House Relay System and its

availability to Member and Committee

Offices. Like ‘HouseSmart’, the House

Services Bulletin is distributed to all

Member, Committee and support offices of

the House. Also, Member and Committee

offices are permitted to purchase their own

accessible equipment. CAO House Support

Services and House Information Resources

can assist offices in obtaining this

equipment.

USCP - These items do not fall within

USCP responsibility. However, to the

extent that access to TDD or a telephonerelay system involves interconnectivity

with the USCP emergency number, USCP

will help to facilitate the connection.
94See footnotes 71-72.

37

Effective

Communication: Hearing

Rooms94

There is no assistive listening

system in committee room 1334. 

Assistive listening system

available, but no signage in

committee rooms 1300, 1302 and

1324.

AOC - To be addressed during Committee

Hearing Room Renovations. Signs

indicating information on assistive

listening devices part of Wayfinding

/Signage program.

CAO - Presently, there is an

accommodation to this issue. 

Congressional Special Services Office

(CSSO) has portable induction loops to

assist those members of the public that

require assistance. Also, upon reasonable

notice from committee staff, the CAO in

conjunction with CSSO will assist in

making arrangements for reasonable

accommodation. The 2002 OOC ADA

Report accepted the use of portable

induction devices as an accommodation to

assist those members of the public with

hearing impairments. In addition, the

CAO is moving forward on a permanent

solution to this. Primary committee

hearing rooms are undergoing renovation. 

Included in this renovation as a base

installation are infrared assistive hearing

systems with a minimum of 10 headsets. 

At the present time, subcommittee hearing

rooms are not heduled for renovations. 

The hearing rooms listed are

subcommittee hearing rooms.

Committees - Committees are dedicated to

making their hearings and/or information

generated by the hearings accessible to

persons with disabilities. When given

reasonable notice of the need for an

accommodation, the Committees will work

with appropriate entites to provide

reasonable accommodations to witnesses

and/or audience members. Installation of

assistive listening systems is within the

purview of the CAO and the Committees

defer to the CAO response to address the

issue further. Signage has been provided

for Rooms 1300, 1302 and 1324.

Access to Offices and Hearing Rooms: Do individuals who have a mobility impairment have

equal access to the public areas in each office and hearing room?
95See footnotes 73-75.

38

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility95

Comments or Plans to

Remedy Access Issues

Path of travel

from

accessible

main entrance

to offices and

hearing rooms

Accessible

Offices To be inspected in 109th Congress

Elevators Accessible

Doors to each

committee

hearing room

Non-accessible width of one door leaf

makes a hearing room non-accessible.

Therefore, doors must be staffed

*******************************

*******************************

**********************.

AOC - To be addressed during

Committee Hearing Room

Renovations. Will defer to

employing office occupants for

interim.

Committees - The Committees have

staffers posted at the doors to assist

those with mobility impairments in

entering and exiting hearing rooms. 

As the Committees are not

responsible for structural changes

to the hearing rooms, the

Committees defer to the AOC

response regarding alterations to

the doors and/or door hardware.
96See footnotes 77 - 81.

97Side grab bar must at least 42 inches long. See 28 CFR Pt 36 App A Figure 30(d).

39

Witness Table Non-accessible table height in

committee rooms 1334 and 1324.

CAO - Generally for Committee

Rooms that do not have witness

tables that meet the requisite

height, the CAO upon notice from

committee staff either raise the

existing witness table to the proper

height to allow for wheelchair

accessibility; provide an accessible

extension to the table or

permanently modify the structure of

the table to allow for wheelchair

access depending upon the

direction of the committee staff.

Committees - In the event that a

witness in a wheelchair or other

assistive mobility device is

attending a hearing, the

Committees will work with the

CAO’s office to ensure compliance

with ADA requirements through

alteration of existing witness tables. 

The Committees defer to the CAO

response regarding procedures for

altering witness tables in hearing

rooms.

Path of travel

within

committee 

hearing rooms

All accessible

Restrooms: Are public restrooms accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs or have other

mobility impairments?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Comments or Plans to

Remedy Access Issues

Accessible

restrooms96

• Door weight is too heavy and therefore

makes otherwise accessible restroom nonaccessible in restrooms LDA2 and L1B5. 

• Flush control in L1B5 is incorrectly

mounted.

• Grab bar in men’s restroom near B204 is

too short and needs to be modified.97

AOC - Door weight -all

HOB restrooms to be slated

for renovations. 

Work orders have been

written for individual issues

- ECD: 7/05.
98 See footnote 93.

99 See footnote 93.

100Hot water and drain pipes should be insulated or otherwise configured to protect against

contact on the legs of an individual who is in a wheelchair. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.19.4.

101If floor space allows a parallel approach by a person in a wheelchair, the maximum high side

reach is 54 inches. If the floor space allows only a forward approach, the maximum high forward reach

is 48 inches. See 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §§4.2.5 and 4.2.6.

40

Signage and

maps

• No signs or maps in hallways indicating

location of accessible restrooms.98

• Non-accessible signage on LDA2, LDA3

and L607.

AOC - Wayfinding /Signage

Project in progress.

Other Building Features: Are other facilities and features in the building readily accessible and

usable by individuals with disabilities such as mobility impaired, vision impaired or hearing

impaired?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Comments or Plans to

Remedy Access Issues

Public

Telephones

There is no signage indicating the location of

the accessible public telephone.99

AOC - Wayfinding /Signage

Project.

CAO - AOC signage

program will include proper

signage.

Health Unit

Room 1204

Restroom is accessible except piping beneath

sink is not configured or insulated

correctly.100

AOC - Work order has been

written- ECD: 7/05

Dining

Facilities -

Longworth

Food Court

• The Food Court is fully accessible except

one self-service soda machine which is noncompliant with reach range standards101 and

requires minor modification. 

CAO - The contractor has

moved the machine in

question so that the soda

machine is compliant.
 

102See footnote 57.

103Directional signage indicating accessible entrance must be provided at all non-accessible

entrances. 28 CFR 4.1.3(8)(d)

104See 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.7.9.

41

C. Rayburn House Office Building (Size 2,256,100 square feet)

Accessible Building Entrance: Can a visitor who uses a wheelchair or who has other mobility

impairments freely enter the building?

Feature Description of Current Barrier to ADA

Accessibility

Comments or Plans to

Remedy Access Issues

South Capitol

Street

entrance

Sidewalk ramp on left side is too steep and

therefore not accessible, however ramp on

right side is accessible.102 

AOC - Only one accessible ramp

is required, however we have

initiated a project to study the

feasibility to modify the left ramp

for accessibility.

Signage for

Accessible

Entrance

Signage must be changed to indicate the

one accessible sidewalk ramp leading to

the entrance.103

AOC - Wayfinding / Signage

program in progress.

Passenger

Loading or

Drop off

• The designated taxi drop off is located

on a steep hill and difficult to use for a

visitor in a wheelchair. This drop-off area

is also quite a distance from the accessible

entrance. Drop-off is not presently

permitted at the intersection of South

Capitol St. and Independence Ave., a

location that would be more

accommodating to visitors who use

wheelchairs. 

AOC -AOC will take into

consideration providing an ADA

accessible entrance elsewhere at

a building entrance if future

plans offer that opportunity.

USCP - No response from USCP.

Sidewalks and

Curb Ramps

Curb ramp at corner of South Capitol St.

and Independence Ave. is not accessible;

it is too steep and does not connect with

the marked crosswalk.104

AOC - AOC will correct.

Schedule will be

established.

Emergency Procedures: Does a visitor with a disability have an equal opportunity to safely

evacuate the building, or get to a designated shelter-in-place location (on a higher floor if

appropriate), in the event of a drill or an actual emergency? 

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Comments or Plans to

Remedy Access Issues
 

105 NFPA 101-2000 §39.2.4.2. This lack of two accessible exits also violates OSHA standards

protecting employees. It is given the highest risk rating in the 108th Congress OSHA Biennial Report. 

See also 29 CFR 1910.36(b)(1).

106 See footnote 59.

107 See footnote 60.

42

Accessible

Emergency

Exit Routes

• There is only one accessible exit

discharge from the building. The lack

of a second accessible exit discharge

violates the NFPA Life Safety

Code.105 

AOC - AOC is working with USCP

to establish a second accessible

egress point in the building. 

Exit

Door/Exit

Route Signs

• Existing wall maps do not indicate

the Staging Areas, accessible exit

routes or exit discharge points.106

• Exit signage at all the building exits

does not meet the requirements for

accessibility.107

AOC - Wayfinding /Signage

program in progress.

OOC response to AOC

comment: The newly installed

wall maps do not show

accessible egress routes,

accessible discharge points or

the location of Staging Areas. 

Nor are there any signs giving

directions to these accessible

egress features. Additionally,

there is no signage in Braille

indicating the exit stairwells and

exit discharge points. Without

appropriate maps, signage or

directions, unescorted visitors

who are disabled may be unable

to find their way out of the

building during an evacuation.
 

108 See footnotes 61 and 63.

109 See footnote 63.

43

Areas of

Rescue

Assistance

•The location of the Staging Areas108

is acceptable.

•There are no accessible two-way

communication systems located in the

Staging Areas and such

communication systems must be

provided.109 

AOC - Referenced sections describe

the provisions of an area of refuge,

NFPA 101-2000: 7.2.12 establishes

when such areas are required.

NFPA 101-2000:1.2.12.1& IBC

Section 1007 exempts areas of

refuge in bldgs protected thru-out

by an auto sprinkler system.

Therefore, the applicable codes do

not require areas of refuge or the

associated 2 way communication

system in this building.

USCP - No action required

regarding the Staging Areas. Twoway communications systems

located in the Staging Areas do not

fall within USCP responsibility.

OOC response to AOC

comment: While the AOC takes

the position that Staging Areas

are not required in the building,

plans from Member and

Committee offices indicate that

individuals who are mobility

impaired are to be directed to

the nearest Staging Area. 

Visitors who are in the hallways

at the time of the alarm must

also be able to find the Staging

Areas. These locations are not

currently shown on the new wall

maps or on other signage. 

Further, there is no way for

persons with disabilities in the

Staging Areas to contact

rescuers. Thus, individuals may

be left behind in the Staging

Areas unless there is a plan to

conduct multiple “sweeps” of

these areas, or to create a twoway communication system by,

for example, modifying the

existing fire-fighter phones. 
 

110See footnote 64.

44

Visual Alarms • *******************

*******************************

*******************************

*********.110

AOC -

****************************

****************************

****************************

****************************

****************************

****************completion by

FY06.

Committee - Structural changes to

hearing rooms are within the

purview of the AOC. Therefore, the

Committee defers to the response of

the AOC.
 

111 See footnote 61.

112 Forty-one employing offices in Rayburn responded to an OOC questionnaire regarding ADA 

public access. 

113 The wall maps do not show the Staging Areas or accessible egress routes and discharge

points. See also footnote 59.

45

Plan for

Evacuation of

Mobility

Impaired

Employees

and Visitors

• Each office has an evacuation plan. 

The USCP is responsible for

coordinating the plans and facilitating

evacuation from the building. Citing

security concerns the USCP declined

to provide the OOC with sufficiently

detailed information for the OOC to

evaluate the plan for evacuating

mobility impaired visitors and

employees from the building. 

Nevertheless, based on the

information available, the OOC is

concerned that the building wide

evacuation does not properly provide

for prompt evacuation of disabled

visitors. Our inspection found many

impediments to a safe evacuation. 

Relatively inexpensive modifications

could increase the number of

accessible exit discharge points and

make the evacuation safer. It also

would not be expensive to provide

two-way communications in the

Staging Areas. (See previous Areas of

Rescue Assistance section.)

111

 • The majority of the employing

offices in Rayburn that responded to

an OOC questionnaire112 reported that

they do not know where to direct113 or

how to assist a disabled visitor in the

event of an evacuation drill or

emergency. Other offices reported

that they have been advised to call

USCP for instructions if they have a

disabled visitor during an evacuation. 

*******************************

*******************************

*******************************

*******************************

*******************************

*****individual offices. 

USCP - The USCP evacuation plan

is available for review and

evaluation by the OOC upon

completion of the M OU. However,

information pertaining to the

evacuation of Members of Congress

may be withheld for security

reasons consistent with law. The

USCP is not responsible for

coordinating plans. USCP

personnel are available to assist in

the safe evacuation consistent with

workplace safety requirements and

to facilitate communications. There

is no evidence that USCP officer

assistance may contribute to the

problem of providing prompt

evacuation of disabled visitors. The

inexpensive modifications needed to

increase the number of accessible

exit discharge points does not fall

within the USCP’s responsibility. 

USCP personnel may be positioned

at staging areas and are able to

assist in the safe evacuation

consistent with workplace safety

requirements and to facilitate

communication.

In an evacuation, USCP personnel

are available to assist in the safe

evacuation and to facilitate

communications. 

OOC response to USCP

comment: The OOC has

confirmed that the D.C. Fire

Department will only evacuate

individuals from Staging Areas

that are in the immediate zone of

danger. If USCP is not

responsible for evacuating

individuals from other Staging

Areas, it is unclear what other
 

46

Plan for

Evacuation of

Mobility

Impaired

Employees

and Visitors

• All of the employing offices in

Rayburn that responded to the OOC

questionnaire stated that they would

like training in how to assist disabled

visitors during an evacuation. One

respondent in Rayburn stated that such 

“training should be mandatory.” 

entity has this responsibility. 

Without a designation of

responsibilities, individuals who

are mobility-impaired may

simply be left in the Staging

Areas to wait out the

evacuation. Furthermore,

coordination of evacuation

routes is essential for a safe and

prompt evacuation. Evacuation

plans of individual offices that

were examined by the OOC

suggest that there was some

coordination with the USCP. 

The OOC will continue to

investigate evacuation plan

coordination during its

inspections for the 109th

Congress.

USCP Previously, before

September 11, 2001 (9/11), USCP

officers provided information to

employing offices in Rayburn

regarding the safe evacuation of

occupants. 
 

114 The OOC has reported this problem in every ADA biennial report since 1996 and it remains

uncorrected. For fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, $407,000 was appropriated for the House

Office Buildings for the Wayfinding and ADA Compliant Signage Program. 

47

Communications Access to Programs, Services and Activities: Does a qualified individual

with a disability have equal communications access to the programs and activities of each of the

public entities in the building.

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Comments or Plans to Remedy

Access Issues

Effective

Communication:

Information

and Signage

Existing wall maps do not

accurately indicate accessible

features of the building including

restrooms, restaurants, Staging

Areas, egress routes and discharge

points.114

AOC - Wayfinding/Signage program in

progress. As noted above, staging areas

are provided, but are not considered a

“permanent” room designation” given

that their locations may change as

conditions change. See ADA Technical

Assistance Manual III-7.5165, citing

ADAAG 4.1.3(16); 4.30.7. Thus, they

will not be shown on the wall maps that

will be mounted as part of the signage

program scheduled to be completed in

FY2007.

OOC comment on AOC response:

The newly installed wall maps do

not show accessible egress routes,

accessible exit discharge points or

Staging Areas; there is also no other

signage indicating the location of

these accessible egress features. 

The new maps do show the location

of accessible restrooms. 
 

115See footnotes 69 - 70.

116See footnote 113.

48

Effective

Communication: Offices

and individual

requests

115

• Most of the Member and

Committee offices in Rayburn that

responded to an OOC questionnaire

reported116 that they do not have

access to TDD or a telephone-relay

system.

.• Some of the Member and

Committee offices in Rayburn that

responded to an OOC questionnaire

reported that they had received at

least one request for auxiliary aids

and services from a hearingimpaired or low-vision constituent

or visitor. 

• Many of the Member and

Committee offices in Rayburn that

responded to an OOC questionnaire

reported that they did not know how

to respond to a request for a sign

language interpreter or other

auxiliary aid from a deaf or hard-ofhearing constituent or member of

the public. 

USCP - This item does not fall within

USCP responsbility. However, to the

extent that access to TDD or a

telephone-relay system involves

interconnectivity with the USCP

emergency number, USCP will help to

facilitate the connection.

CAO - As the employee population of the

House is constantly turning over, training

and outreach are constant challenges. It

should be noted that the House provides

‘HouseSmart’ which is a comprehensive

reference guide to all services offered. 

Included in ‘HouseSmart’ is a section

relating to services for persons with

disabilities (pgs 30-34). The services

listed include, but are not limited to,

information regarding the House relay

system, public TTY phones, systems for the

hearing impaired to use in Committee

Hearing Rooms, and sign language

interpreters. Also included in

‘HouseSmart’ is information on

Congressional Special Services Office

which provides certain services for

visitors with disabilities. The latest

edition of ‘HouseSmart’ was distributed to

all Member, Committee and support

offices of the House in January 2005.

Since the last edition of ‘HouseSmart’, the

CAO has published an article on the TTY

system in the House Services Bulletin - a

bi-weekly CAO publication that highlights

services available throughout the House

Campus. An upcoming article and

brochure will feature the House Relay

System and its availability to Member and

Committee Offices. Like ‘HouseSmart’,

the House Services Bulletin is distributed

to all Member, Committee and support

offices of the House. Also, Member and

Committee offices are permitted to

purchase their own accessible equipment. 

CAO House Support Services and House

Information Resources can assist offices

in obtaining this equipment.
 

117See footnote 71 - 72.

49

Effective

Communication: Hearing

Rooms117

Assistive listening system provided

in most committee hearing rooms in

Rayburn. However it is not

provided in committee hearing

rooms 2220, 2128, 2361, B318 and

2257.

AOC - To be addressed during

Committee Hearing Room Renovations.

CAO - Presently, there is an

accommodation to this issue. 

Congressional Special Services Office

(CSSO) has portable induction loops to

assit those members of the public that

require assistance. In additions, upon

reasonable notice from committee staff,

the CAO in conjunction with CSSO will

assist in making arrangements for

reasonable accommodations. The 2002

OOC ADA Report accepted the use of

portable induction devices as an

accommodation to assist those members

of the public with hearing impairments. 

In addition, the CAO is moving forward

on a permanent solution to this. 

Primary committee hearing rooms are

undergoing renovation. Included in this

renovation as a base installation are

infrared assistive hearing systems with a

minimum of 10 headsets. At the present

time, subcommittee hearing rooms are

not scheduled for renovations. The

hearing rooms listed are subcommittee

hearing rooms.

Committees - Committees are dedicated

to making their hearings and/or

information generated by the hearings

accessible to persons with disabilities. 

When given reasonable notice of the

need for an accommodation, the

Committees will work with appropriate

entities to provide reasonable

accommodations to witnesses and/or

audience members. Installation of

assistive listening systems is within the

purview of the CAO and the Committees

defer to the CAO response to address

the issue further.
 

118See footnotes 73 - 76.

50

Access to Offices and Hearing Rooms: Do individuals who have a mobility impairment have

equal access to the public areas in each office and hearing room?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility118

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Path of travel

from

accessible

main entrance

to offices and

hearing rooms

Water fountains and some public telephones

in the hallways act as “protruding objects”

and are a hazard to a blind or low vision

individual who uses a cane. 

AOC - Included in building

upgrades. No known

completion date.

Offices To be inspected in 109th Congress

Elevators • Placement of waste cans below the elevator

call button obstructs access to the call buttons

for a person who uses a wheelchair.

• Elevator Banks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are not

accessible because audible signals are noncompliant.

•Accessible elevator sign missing for

Elevator Banks 2 (4th floor), Bank 3 (2nd & 4th

floors) and Bank 6.

AOC - Trash cans will be 

addressed thru Administrative

procedures.

Elevators currently being

renovated and will be fully

accessible. Estimated

completion - FY06.

Work orders have been

written to correct missing

elevator signs. To be complete

by 8/05.
 

51

Doors to

committee 

hearing rooms

Door width and door hardware are not

accessible in most of the committee hearing

rooms in Rayburn except where automatic

door openers have been installed. Thus, the

following hearing rooms are not accessible

unless doors are staffed

************************************

************************************

************************************

************************************

*********************.

AOC - To be addressed

during Committee Hearing

Room Renovations.

Committees - The Committees

have staffers posted at the

doors to assist those with

mobility impairments in

entering and exiting hearing

rooms. As the Committees are

not responsible for structural

changes to the hearing rooms,

the Committees defer to the

AOC response regarding

alterations to the doors and/or

door hardware. The

Committee on Education &

Workforce reports that since

the OOC inspection the AOC

has installed an automatic

door opener on Hearing

Room 2257. 
 

52

Witness tables Witness tables are not an accessible height in

committee hearing rooms 2203, 2247, 2220,

2128, 2318, 2218, 2322, 2123, 2125, 2255,

2167, 2216, 2212, 2118, 2226, 2361, B318

and 2257.

CAO - Generally, for

Committee Rooms that do not

have witness tables that meet

the requisite height, the CAO

upon notice from committee

staff either raise the existing

witness table to the proper

height to allow for wheelchair

accessibility; provide an

accessible extension to the

table or permanently modify

the structure of the table to

allow for wheelchair access

depending upon the direction

of the committee staff.

Committees - In the event that

a witness in a wheelchair or

other assistive mobility device

is attending a hearing, the

Committees will work with the

CAO’s office to ensure

compliance with ADA

requirements through

alteration of existing witness

tables. The Committees defer

to the CAO response

regarding procedures for

altering witness tables in

hearing rooms.

Witness tables in Rooms 2118

and 2226 have been modified

since the time of the OOC

inspection.

Path of travel

within 

hearing rooms

All accessible.
 

119See footnotes 60, 77 - 80 and 93.

120 The inaccuracy of these maps has also been noted in prior ADA biennial reports. See also

footnote 115. 

121See footnote 73. 

53

Restrooms: Are public restrooms accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs or have other

mobility impairments?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility119

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Accessible

restrooms

• There is at least one otherwise accessible

men’s restroom and women’s restroom on

each floor with the exception of the fourth

floor. However, the door weight is nonaccessible for each restroom. 

• Grab bars need to be modified in restrooms

near B349 and 2470.

AOC - All HOB restrooms

slated for renovations. Work

orders have been written for

specific issues with estimated

completion of 7/05.

Signage and

maps

Maps and signage provide inaccurate

information about the location of fully

accessible restrooms.120 

AOC - Wayfinding/ Signage

program in progress.

Health Unit There is not an accessible restroom in the

Health Unit.

AOC A project has been

initiated to investigate

correction.

Other Building Features: Are other facilities and features in the building readily accessible and

usable by individuals with disabilities such as mobility impairment, vision impairment or hearing

impairment?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Public

Telephones

• There are accessible public telephones on

basement and first floor level. However

some of the telephones are “protruding

objects” and pose a hazard to blind or low

vision individuals who use a cane.121 

CAO - The CAO Safety

Coordinator is working in

conjunction with CAO HIR

Telecommunications to

correct the protrusion issue. 

Drinking

fountains

The drinking fountains in the halls are not

accessible. 

AOC - To be added with

building upgrades. No known

completion date.
 

54

Dining

Facilities

The Rayburn Deli is fully accessible.
122Accessible means that the feature complies with the ADA standards for Non-Discrimination on

the Basis of Disability promulgated by the U.S. Department of Justice. The applicable standards are

published at 28 CFR Parts 35 and 36. 

123Curb cuts must have a a maximum slope of 8.33%. A slope of between 6.25% and 5% is

preferred. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §§4.8.2 and A4.8.2.

124See NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code § 39.2.4.2. See also 29 CFR 1910.36(b)(1).

55

D. Dirksen Senate Office Building (Size 661,000 square feet)

Accessible Building Entrance: Can a visitor who uses a wheelchair or who has other mobility

impairments freely enter the building?

Feature Description of Current Barrier to ADA

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

1

st and C

Street

Entrance

Accessible122

Signage for

Accessible

Entrance

Accessible

Sidewalks and

Curb Ramps

All curb cuts at accessible entrance nonaccessible because too steep.123

AOC - Curb ramps to be

repaired in FY2006.

Emergency Procedures: Does a visitor with a disability have equal opportunity to safely

evacuate the building, or get to a designated shelter-in-place location (on a higher floor if

appropriate), in the event of a drill or an actual emergency? 

Feature Description of Current

Barriers to Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access Issues

Accessible

Emergency

Exit Routes

There are two accessible

emergency discharge points

from the building as required

by the National Fire

Protection Association

(NFPA).124 The secondary

accessible emergency exit

route is through the Hart

Building. 
125 The NFPA requires that all exit routes, including accessible exit routes, be clearly indicated. 

NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code § 7.10.1.4. The AOC has in past ADA Biennial Reports that it plans

to install wall maps to indicate the accessible exit routes along with other features of the building, but to

date has not done so. The wall maps must comply with ADA Signage requirements. 28 CFR Pt 36 App

A §4.30. Non-existent or inaccurate information about accessible exit routes is also a violation of OSH

standards protecting employees. 29 CFR 1910.37(b)(4). The OOC has reported this problem in every

ADA biennial report since 1996 and it remains uncorrected. For fiscal year ending September 30, 2004,

$1,133,000 was appropriated for the Senate Office Buildings for the Wayfinding and ADA Compliant

Signage Program.

12628 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.30 requires the signage to be in raised and Braille characters, have

letters that contrast with the background, and be mounted at a height of 60 inches.

56

Exit

Door/Exit

Route Signs

•Accessible exit routes and

discharge points are not

indicated on building wall

maps.125 Wall maps must

indicate the accessible exit

routes, discharge points,

location of Staging Areas on

each floor, and location of

accessible building features.

• Exit signage at all the

building exits does not meet

the requirements for

accessibility.126

AOC - Interior Wayfinding signage project will

be completed in FY2007. As noted above,

staging areas are provided, but are not

considered a “permanent room designation, “

given that their locations may change as

conditions change. See ADA Technical

Assistance Manual III-7.5165, citing ADAAG

4.1.3(16); 4.30.7 Thus, they will not be shown

on the wall maps that will be mounted as part of

the signage program scheduled to be completed

FY2007. 

USCP - This item does not fall within USCP

responsibility.

OOC response to AOC comment: Wall

maps or signage must show accessible

egress routes, accessible exit discharge

points and Staging Areas. Signage in

Braille must be provided at all exit

stairwells and exit discharge points. 

Without appropriate maps, signage or

directions, unescorted visitors who are

disabled may be unable to find their way

out of the building during an evacuation. 
127 If disabled individuals cannot immediately evacuate it is permitted to temporarily postpone

their evacuation while the emergency is assessed, so long as they are waiting in a protected area. See

NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code §A.3.3.14. There are no such protected areas in the building that meet

the fire safety requirements for Areas of Rescue Assistance (28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.3.11) or Areas of

Refuge (NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code §3.3.14). Instead, office evacuation plans call for disabled

individuals to gather at specified Staging Areas to await assistance in leaving the building. Disabled

visitors will be directed to these areas by staff from employing offices in the building. Minimal safety

features, including accessible signage and two-way communications systems must be provided in these

Staging Areas even though these areas do not otherwise meet fire safety requirements. 28 CFR Pt 36

App A §§ 4.3.11.4 and 4.3.11.5. Some people with mobility impairments can move at only very slow

speeds and there must be a way for them to communicate with rescuers in case they get left behind in the

Staging Area after it has been checked. See 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §A4.3.1. District of Columbia Fire

Department fire-fighters will rescue only those individuals from the Staging Areas that are in the

immediate danger zone. Evacuation of other individuals who are awaiting assistance must be provided

by properly trained employees such as USCP officers. See also 29 CFR 1910.38(c).

128If the existing fire-fighter phones are to be used as the two-way communication system, the

telephone cabinets must be unlocked, their height modified, and appropriate signage provided. When the

telephones are in use their location should be indicated at the fire alarm panel or police command center

because the person using the telephone may be unable to speak. See 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §A4.3.11.4. 

Most of the telephones that are now present do not have these features.

57

Areas of

Rescue

Assistance

• Staging Areas 127 are

properly located.

• There are no two-way

communication systems in

these areas that are compliant

with the requirements of the

ADA.128

 • Wall maps and signage

must indicate the location of

the Staging Areas.

AOC - Two-way communication is only

required for areas of rescue assistance. The

exception to 28 CFR Pt 36 App. A §4.1.3(9)

does not require areas of rescue assistance for

buildings that have a supervised automatic

sprinkler system. The Dirksen Bldg. is currently

95% sprinklered with completion scheduled by

FY 2007. As noted above, staging areas are

provided, but but are not considered a

“permanent room designation,” given that their

locations may change as conditions change. See

ADA Technical Assistance Manual III-7.5165,

citing ADAAG 4.1.3(16); 4.30.7. Thus they will

not be shown on the wall maps that will be

mounted as part of the signage program

scheduled to be completed in FY 2007.

USCP - The OOC representation in footnote 72

regarding DC Fire and USCP responsibilities is

incorrect and should be stricken as OOC does

not direct the USCP responsibilities. USCP

personnel are available to assist in the safe

evacuation of all occupants.

OOC response to AOC comment: While

the AOC takes the position that Staging

Areas are not required in the building, plans

from Member and Committee offices

indicate that individuals who are 

(continued next page)
129The ADA requires that visual alarms be installed in, at minimum, restrooms, meeting rooms

hallways, lobbies and any other common use areas. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.28.1. Requirements for

individual offices where deaf or hard of hearing employees may work are covered by the Occupational

Safety and Health Act (OSHA). See 29 CFR 1910.165(b)(2) and NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code

§9.6.3.6. 

58

mobility impaired are to be directed to the

nearest Staging Area. Visitors who are in

the hallways at the time of the alarm must

also be able to find the Staging Areas. 

These locations are not currently shown on

the wall maps or on other signage. Further,

there is no way for persons with disabilities

in the Staging Areas to contact rescuers.

Thus, individuals may be left behind in the

Staging Areas unless there is a plan to

conduct multiple “sweeps” of these areas,

or to create a two-way communication

system by, for example, modifying the

existing fire-fighter phones. 

OOC response to USCP comment: The

OOC has confirmed that the D.C. Fire

Department will only evacuate individuals

from Staging Areas that are in the

immediate zone of danger. If USCP is not

responsible for evacuating individuals from

other Staging Areas, it is unclear what other

entity has this responsibility. Without a

designation of responsibilities, individuals

who are mobility-impaired may simply be

left in the Staging Areas to wait out the

evacuation.

Visual Alarms There are visual alarms in

most areas of the building

open to the public.129

However, there are

***********************

***********************

***********************

************.

AOC - Areas noted will be provided visual

alarms under the Dirksen Fire Alarm

Replacement Project scheduled for FY2006

design and FY2009 construction.

Committees - Structural changes to the

committee rooms fall under the responsibility of

the AOC. The committee understands that the

AOC will correct the deficiencies, if any exist,

and defers to the AOC’s response to this item. 
130 Eleven employing offices in Dirksen responded to an OOC questionnaire on ADA public

access. 

131 NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code §9.4. See also NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code §9.6.3.2.

59

Plan for

Evacuation of

Mobility

Impaired

Employees

and Visitors

• Each office has an

evacuation plan. The USCP

is responsible for

coordinating the plans and

facilitating the evacuation

from the building. Citing

security concerns the USCP

declined to provide the OOC

with sufficiently detailed

information for the OOC to

evaluate the plan for

evacuating mobility impaired

visitors and employees from

the building. It does appear

that USCP has reviewed its

plan with employing offices

in the Dirksen building.

• Virtually all of the

employing offices responding

to an OOC questionnaire130

know that they should escort

disabled visitors and

employees to the nearest

Staging Area in the event of

an emergency, and await

USCP for further assistance.

• The plan to evacuate

individuals with mobility

impairments appears to rely

on the elevators. There is

sufficient backup power to

run one elevator per bank. 

However none of the

elevators have smoke

detectors as required by the

NFPA.131

 • All of the employing

offices in Dirksen that

responded to an OOC

questionnaire stated that they

would like training in how to

assist disabled visitors during

an evacuation. 

USCP - The USCP evacuation plan is available

for review and evaluation by the OOC upon

completion of the MOU. However, information

pertaining to the evacuation of Members of

Congress may be withheld for security reasons

consistent with law. The USCP is not responsible

for coordinating plans.

The installation of smoke detectors in elevators is

not a USCP responsibility. 

In an evacuation, USCP personnel are available

to assist in the safe evacuation consistent with

workplace safety requirements and to facilitate

communications.

Previously, before September 11, 2001(9/11),

USCP officers provided information to employing

offices in Dirksen regarding the safe evacuation of

occupants. Post 9/11, the USCP coordinates with

the Senate Office of Emergency Preparedness to

ensure the safe evacuation of all occupants.

OOC response to USCP response:

Coordination of evacuation routes and

plans is essential for a safe and prompt

evacuation. Evacuation plans of individual

offices that were examined by the OOC

suggest that there was some coordination

with the USCP. The OOC will continue to

investigate evacuation plan coordination

during its inspections for the 109th

Congress. 

AOC - Smoke detectors are provided in elevator

lobbies per NFPA 72. Smoke detectors will be

installed in elevator machine rooms FY2006.

OSEP - The Senate Office of Security and

Emergency Preparedness (OSEP) offers a wide

range of ongoing training and outreach

activities to instruct Senate staff on the

evacuation procedures for both the general

population and employees and visitors with

mobility impairments. OSEP also provides

individuals training for staff members with

mobility impairments to familiarize such

employees with the procedures for elevator

evacuation and evacuation chair use. In

addition, OSEP has distributed brochures on

“Senate Office Building Evacuation Procedures 

(Continued next page)
60

for Those with Mobility Impairments”

throughout the Senate complex, and has

contributed articles to various Senate

publications, including one entitled

“Wheelchairs for Staff with Temporary Mobility

Impairments.” Finally, OSEP assists USCP in

conducting and monitoring the Senate’s

quarterly evacuation drills, ensuring that the

appropriate procedures for the evacuation of

individuals with mobility impairments are being

followed.
132 The OOC has reported this problem in every ADA biennial report since 1996 and it remains

uncorrected. For fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, $1,133,000 was appropriated for the Senate

Office Buildings for the Wayfinding and ADA Compliant Signage Program.

61

Communications Access to Programs, Services and Activities: Does a qualified individual

with a disability have equal communications access to the programs and activities of each of the

public entities in the building.

Feature Description of Current

Barriers to Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access Issues

Effective Communication: Information and

Signage

Existing wall maps do not

indicate accessible

features of building

including restrooms,

telephones, exit routes,

Staging Areas, cafeterias,

and water fountains.132

AOC - Directional signs and maps

provided comply with visual

characteristics required by ADA.

Directional signs are not required to

comply with raised letter braille or

mounting height criteria per 28 CFR Pt 36

App A§4.1.2(7). 

As noted above, staging areas are

provided, but are not considered a

“permanent room designation,” given that

their locations may change as conditions

change. See ADA Technical Assistance

Manual III-7.5165, citing ADAAG 

4.1.3(16); 4.30.7. Thus they will not be

shown on the wall maps that will be

mounted as part of the signage program

scheduled to be completed in FY2007.

OOC response to AOC comment:

Wall maps or signage must show

accessible egress routes, accessible

exit discharge points and Staging

Areas. Signage in Braille must be

provided at all exit stairwells and exit

discharge points. Without appropriate

maps, signage or directions,

unescorted visitors who are disabled

may be unable to find their way out of

the building during an evacuation. 
133See footnote 131.

134A public entity, or here an “employing authority,” is required to provide appropriate auxiliary

aids and services to ensure that communications with individuals with disabilities are as effective as

communications with others. In determining what type of auxiliary aid and service is necessary, the

public entity must give primary consideration to the request of the individual with the disability. 28 CFR

§35.160.

135A public entity, or “employing authority,” that communicates with the public via telephone

must also have a TDD or equally effective telecommunication system for communicating with

individuals who have hearing or speech impairments. 28 CFR §35.161.

62

Effective Communication: Individual offices

and requests

• Many of the employing

offices in Dirksen that

responded to an OOC

questionnaire reported133

that they had received at

least one request for

auxiliary aids and

services134 from a

hearing-impaired or lowvision individual. 

• A few of the offices that

responded to an OOC

questionnaire reported

that they do not know

how to respond to a

request for a sign

language interpreter or

other auxiliary aid from a

deaf or hard-of-hearing

constituent or member of

the public.

• A few of the offices that

responded to an OOC

questionnaire reported

that they do not have

access to TDD or a

telephone relay system.135

AOC - These items do not fall within

USCP responsibility. However, to the

extent that access to TDD or a telephonerelay system involves interconnectivity

with the USCP emergency number, USCP

will help to facilitate the connection.

CSSO - The Congressional Special

Services Office (CSSO) offers a variety of

services to assist staff and official visitors

with disabilities. Descriptions of CSSO’s

services are published in several places,

including the U.S. Senate Handbook and

on Webster, the Senate intranet, as well as

brochures issued by the office. CSSO

offers seminars to staff throughout the

year on communicating with constituents

with disabilities and the use of

Telecommunication Devices for the

Deaf/Teletypewriters (TDD/TTY). CSSO

also participates in ADA seminars

presented to congressional offices, and is

available for individualized training on

TDD/TTY use and other issues involving

communications with individuals with

disabilities. In addition CSSO provides

information on sign language interpreting

services.
136Assistive listening systems are required in assembly areas where audible communications are

integral to the use of the space. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.1.3(19)(b).

137Signage must indicate that an assistive listening system is provided. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A

§4.30.7(4).

63

Effective Communication: Hearing RoomsThere is no assistive

listening system136 in

committee rooms 116

and G50.

Assistive listening system

is available, but no

signage137 in committee

rooms 138 and G11.

AOC - A committee room renovation

program began in FY2004. Renovations

include the provision of infrared assistive

listening systems. Committee Room 215 is

being completed during FY2005. The

remainder are scheduled for completion

prior to FY2010. Compliant signage will

be provided.

Committees - Structural changes to the

committee rooms fall under the

responsibility of the AOC. These

committees understand that the AOC will

correct the deficiencies, if any exist, and

defer to the AOC’s response to these

items.

Access to Offices and Hearing Rooms: Do individuals who have a mobility impairment have

equal access to the public areas in each office and hearing room?

Feature Description of Current

Barriers to Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Path of travel from

accessible main

entrance to offices and

hearing rooms

Accessible

Offices To be inspected in 109th

Congress

Elevators Generally accessible except the

audible signals for elevators 8

& 9 are non-compliant.

AOC - Audible signals for

elevators 8& 9 were tested and are

compliant.
138Staff members from each committee indicated that the committee rooms are kept accessible

during hearings *****************posting a staff member at the doors. 

139Door handles must be easy to grasp with one hand and not require tight grasping, pinching or

twisting of the wrist. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.13.9.

140The maximum door opening force permitted for interior doors is 5 lbs. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A

4.13.11(2)(b). 

141The minimum clear width of door openings, including openings of double-leaf doors, is 32

inches. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §§4.13.4 and 4.13.5.

142Sufficient knee clearance must be provided for a witness who is in a wheelchair. The knee

space must be at least 27 inches high, 30 inches wide and 19 inches deep. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.32.3.

143Minimum clear width of an accessible route is 36 inches except at doorways where the

minimum is 32 inches. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §§4.3.3, 4.13.4 and 4.13.5.

64

Doors to each

committee hearing

room138

Non-accessible door

hardware139 and door weight140

in committee rooms 415, 116,

124, 215, 342, 430, 406, G11,

562, 138, 192, 226, and 628.

Non-accessible door hardware,

door weight and clear width141

of one door leaf in committee

rooms 406, 366, 538 and G50. 

AOC - Equivalent facilitation per

28 CFR Pt 36 App A§2.2 is

provided as indicated in footnote

139.

Committees - These doors are

manned and therefore are ADAcompliant. Per conversation with

OOC, there are no deficiencies

here. 

Witness Tables Non-accessible table height142 in

committee rooms 116 and G50.

AOC - Tables will be modified to

comply.

Committees - Structural changes to

the committee rooms fall under the

responsibility of the AOC. These

committees understand that the

AOC will correct the deficiencies, if

any exist, and defer to the AOC’s

response to these items.

Path of travel within

hearing rooms

All accessible143
144Accessible restrooms are restrooms which can be used by an individual who uses a wheelchair. 

The specific requirements are set forth at 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §§4.13, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18, 4.19, 4.22, 4.23,

4.24, 4.26 and 4.27. There must be at least one accessible men’s room and one accessible women’s room

on each floor. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A 4.1.6(3)(e)(i). Accessible restrooms are also required for employees

who use wheelchairs. 29 CFR 1910.141(c).

145 The OOC has reported this problem in every ADA biennial report since 1996 and it remains

uncorrected. For fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, $1,133,000 was appropriated for the Senate

Office Buildings for the Wayfinding and ADA Compliant Signage Program.

146See footnote 127.

65

Restrooms: Are public restrooms accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs or have other

mobility impairments?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Accessible

restrooms

All public restrooms in Dirksen are now

generally accessible.144 However some of the

restrooms are not fully compliant with the

requirements of the ADA for the following

reasons:

 • Door hardware non-compliant on

accessible restrooms SD1BM2A and

SDBW2A

 • Non-compliant mirror in accessible

restrooms SD1BW2A, SD2M2, SD3W1,

SD3W3, SD3M1, SD3M3, SD4M1, SD4W1,

SD5W1 and SD5M1.

 • Coat-hook out of accessible reach range in

accessible restrooms SD1BW2A,SDBW2A,

SD2W2, SD2M1, SD2M2, SD2W2, SD3W1,

SD3M2, SD3M3, SD4W3, SD4M3 and

SD6M2.

 • Insufficient maneuvering space in DGM1.

AOC - Will be modified to

comply, except for DGM1

(last bullet item). DGM1 is

not designated or required as

an accessible bathroom.

Signage and

maps 

•Wall maps do not indicate accessible

restrooms.145

• Non-compliant signage146 for accessible

restrooms SDGW3, SDGM3, SDGW1,

SDGM1, SD1W2, SD1M2, SD3W1, SD3M1,

SD5W1 and SD6W2

AOC - Interior Wayfinding

signage project will be

completed in FY2007.
Appendix A -Individual Building Reports

Dirksen Building

147 See footnote 133. 

14828 CFR Pt 36 App A §§4.15.4 and 4.27.4.

66

Building Features: Are other facilities and features in the building readily accessible and usable

by individuals with disabilities such as mobility impaired, vision impaired or hearing impaired?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Public

Telephones

• Maps and signage do not indicate location

of public telephone.147

• Public telephone (on ground floor) nonaccessible for wheelchair users.

AOC - Internal signage

program will be implemented

in FY2007. Wall maps are not

required to show all

accessible features.

SSA - The Office of the Senate

Sergeant at Arms and the

AOC have plans to address

the public telephone

accessibility issue.

Drinking

fountains

• Water fountain on ground floor nonaccessible because spout height is too high.

• Water fountains on other floors generally

accessible except that the controls are noncompliant because they need to be tightly

grasped and require too much force to

operate.148

AOC - Two accessible

drinking fountains are

provided on the Ground Level

The spout of each is less than

36" above the ground surface

and thereby compliant.

Dirksen drinking fountains

are not the graspable type;

they are compliant push

button fountains.

Restaurants • North Server is fully accessible except

Salad Bar tray slide is several inches too

high. 

• Chef Café is fully accessible.

AOC - This comment will be

considered if new equipment

is purchased.
149See footnote 123.

150The ramp incline should be a maximum of 8.33% and an incline of between 6.25% and 5% is

preferred. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §§4.8.2 and A4.8.2. See also NFPA Life Safety Code Handbook 2000 at

163.

151There must be handrails on both sides of the ramp. When they are installed, the handrails must

meet the measurement specifications set forth at 28 CFR Pt 37 App A §4.8.5.

67

E. Hart Senate Office Building (Size 1,020,000 square feet)

Accessible Building Entrance: Can a visitor who uses a wheelchair or who has other mobility

impairments freely enter the building?

Feature Description of Current

Barrier to ADA Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access Issues

2

nd Street

Entrance

Fully accessible149 except

signage. 

AOC - Will comply. Interior Wayfinding

project will be completed in FY2007.

Constitution

Ave. Entrance

• Non-accessible because

slope of outdoor ramps is

slightly too steep150 and

handrails are not accessible.151

Until this has been fixed, this

entrance cannot be used as an

emergency exit discharge. 

AOC - Handrails will be retrofitted in FY2006.

In terms of the ramp slope, 28CFR Pt 36 App

A§4.1.(1) clearly indicates that the application

of the accessible element requirements being

stated as non-compliant by the OOC are only

applicable to newly designed and newly

constructed facilities, or altered portions of

existing facilities. Since the ramp being cited is

neither, the application of the new ramp

criteria is not justified. To determine

compliance of the existing ramp, refer to

section 7.2.5.2.(2) of NFPA 101. (2003

editions) which states existing ramps shall be

permitted to remain in use provided that they

have a slope less than 12.5%, width greater

than 30in. and 144 inches max. height between

landings. The existing ramps cited meet the

criteria in NFPA, Furthermore, each ramp

consists of two sections separated by an

intermediate landing, and only one of those

sections is not compliant with the 8.33% slope

slated for new ramp criteria. The section that

does not comply with the new ramp criteria

has a slope of 8.73% which is less than a 1⁄2 %

from meeting the new ramp criteria. Because

the ramps meet the existing ramp criteria they

will remain in service as allowed by NFPA

101, section 7.2.5.2, and 28 CFR Part 36 App 

(continued next page)
152See footnote 125.

68

A § 4.1.1.(1). Additionally, the removal of this

ramp from service would reduce the level of

safety allowed by NFPA 101 which is currently

provided.

OOC response to AOC comment:

The OOC is evaluating AOC’s comment

and will respond directly to AOC. 

Signage for

Accessible

Entrance

Signage at the accessible 2nd

Street entrance was knocked

down and has not been

replaced.

AOC - Will comply

Sidewalks and

Curb Ramps

Accessible

Emergency Procedures: Does a visitor with a disability have equal opportunity to safely

evacuate the building, or get to a designated shelter-in-place location (on a higher floor if

appropriate), in the event of an drill or an actual emergency? 

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access Issues

Accessible

Emergency

Exit Routes

******************************

*********************.152

******************************

******************************

******************************

**********************.

AOC - See response above for the

Constitution Ave. Entrance, above.
153See footnote 126.

154See footnote 127.

69

Exit

Door/Exit

Route Signs

• Wall maps do not indicate the

accessible exit routes or Staging

Areas.153

• Exit signage at all the building exits

does not meet the requirements for

accessibility.154 

AOC - Wall maps are not required to

comply with ADA criteria per 28 CFR.

Pt 36 App A § 4.1.2(7). Additional

support is provided by the new ADAABA Accessibility Guidelines

developed in July 2004 to update the

requirements of ADAAG and to

harmonize the guideline with model

building codes and industry standards.

See Section 216.1 which states that

building directories do not need to

comply with accessibility criteria.

OOC response to AOC comment:

Wall maps or signage must show

accessible egress routes, accessible

exit discharge points and Staging

Areas. Signage in Braille must be

provided at all exit stairwells and

exit discharge points. Without

appropriate maps, signage or

directions, unescorted visitors who

are disabled may be unable to find

their way out of the building during

an evacuation. 
155See footnote 128. 

156See footnote 129.

70

Areas of

Rescue

Assistance

 • Location of Staging Area155 on

each floor near the freight elevator is

not acceptable because the designated

elevator does not go to the 9th floor. 

Other areas (now designated as 

secondary Staging Areas) are more

appropriate locations for the primary

Staging Areas. 

 • Two-way communication systems

must be installed, or existing firefighter phones modified, in all

Staging Areas.156 

 • Wall maps and signage must

indicate the location of the Staging

Areas.

USCP - This item does not fall within

USCP responsibility.

AOC - Two-way communication is only

required for areas of rescue assistance.

The exception to 28 CFR Pt 36 App. A

§ 4.1.3(9) does not require areas of

rescue assistance for buildings that

have a supervised automatic sprinkler

system. The Hart Building is currently

80% sprinklered with completion

scheduled by FY2007.

Interior Wayfinding signage project

will be completed n FY2007. As noted

above, staging areas are provided, but

are not considered a “permanent room

designation,” given that their locations

may change as conditions change.

OOC response to AOC comment:

While the AOC takes the position

that Staging Areas are not required

in the building, plans from Member

and Committee offices indicate that

individuals who are mobility

impaired are to be directed to the

nearest Staging Area. Visitors who

are in the hallways at the time of

the alarm must also be able to find

the Staging Areas. These locations

are not currently shown on the wall

maps or on other signage. Further,

there is no way for persons with

disabilities in the Staging Areas to

contact rescuers. Thus, individuals

may be left behind in the Staging

Areas unless there is a plan to

conduct multiple “sweeps” of these

areas, or to create a two-way

communication system by, for

example, modifying the existing

fire-fighter phones.
71

Visual Alarms There are no visual alarms in the

public areas of the Hart Building. 

AOC - Areas noted will be provided

visual alarms under the Hart Fire

Alarm Replacement Project scheduled

for FY2007 construction.

Committees - Structural changes to the

committee rooms fall under the

responsibility of the AOC. The

committee understands that the AOC

will correct the deficiencies, if any

exist, and defers to the AOC’s response

to this item.
157 Sixteen employing offices in Hart responded to an OOC questionnaire on ADA public access. 

72

Plan for

Evacuation of

Mobility

Impaired

Employees

and Visitors

• Each office has and evacuation

plan. The USCP is responsible for

coordinating evacuation plans and

facilitating the evacuation from the

building. Citing security concerns

the USCP declined to provide the

OOC with sufficiently detailed

information for the OOC to evaluate

the plan for evacuating mobility

impaired visitors or employees. It

does appear that USCP has reviewed

the plan with employing offices in

the Hart building. The OOC believes

that the location of the Staging Areas

should be changed. (See previous

Areas of Rescue Assistance section.)

• Most of the employing offices

responding to an OOC

questionnaire157 know to escort

disabled visitors to the nearest

Staging Area in the event of an

emergency, and await USCP for

further assistance. 

• Nearly all of the employing offices

in Hart that responded to an OOC

questionnaire stated that they would

like training in how to assist disabled

visitors during an evacuation. 

USCP - The USCP evacuation plan is

available for review and evaluation by

the OOC upon completion of the MOU. 

However, information pertaining to the

evacuation of Members of Congress

may be withheld for security reasons

consistent with law. The USCP is not

responsible for coordinating plans. In

an evacuation, USCP personnel are

available to assist in the safe

evacuation consistent with workplace

safety requirements and to facilitate

communications. Previously, before

September 11, 2001 (9/11), USCP

officers provided information to

employing offices in Hart regarding

the safe evacuation of occupants. 

Post-9/11, the USCP coordinates with

the Senate Office of Emergency

Preparedness to ensure the safe

evacuation of all occupants.

OOC response to USCP response:

Coordination of evacuation routes

and plans is essential for a safe and

prompt evacuation. Evacuation

plans of individual offices that

were examined by the OOC suggest

that there was some coordination

with the USCP. The OOC will

continue to investigate evacuation

plan coordination during its

inspections for the 109th Congress. 

OSEP - The Senate Office of Security

and Emergency Preparedness (OSEP)

offers a wide range of ongoing training

and outreach activities to instruct

Senate staff on the evacuation

procedures for both the general

population and employees and visitors

with mobility impairments. OSEP also

provides individuals training for staff

members with mobility impairments to

familiarize such employees with the

procedures for elevator evacuation and

evacuation chair use. In addition,

OSEP has distributed brochures on

“Senate Office Building Evacuation
158 The OOC has reported this problem in every ADA biennial report since 1996 and it remains

uncorrected. For fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, $1,133,000 was appropriated for the Senate

Office Buildings for the Wayfinding and ADA Compliant Signage Program.

73

impairments” throughout the Senate

complex, and has contributed articles

to various Senate publications,

including one entitled “Wheelchairs

for Staff with Temporary Mobility

Impairments.” Finally, OSEP assists

USCP in conducting and monitoring

the Senate’s quarterly evacuation

drills, ensuring that the appropriate

procedures for the evacuation of

individuals with mobility impairments

are being followed.

Communications Access to Programs, Services and Activities: Does a qualified individual

with a disability have equal communications access to the programs and activities of each of the

public entities in the building.

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Effective

Communication:

Information

and Signage

Existing wall maps do not indicate accessible

features of building including restrooms,

telephones, Staging Areas, and accessible exit

routes and discharge points.158

AOC - Internal signage

program will be implemented

in FY2007. Wall maps are not

required to show all

accessible features.
159See footnotes 135 - 136.

74

Effective

Communication:

Individual

offices and 

requests

159

• Many of the Senator and Committee offices

in Hart that responded to an OOC

questionnaire reported that they had received

at least one request for auxiliary aids and

services from a hearing-impaired or lowvision individual. 

• Some of the offices reported that they do

not know how to respond to a request for a

sign language interpreter or other auxiliary

aid from a deaf or hard-of-hearing constituent

or member of the public.

• Some of the offices reported that they do

not have access to TDD or a telephone relay

system. 

USCP - This item does not fall

within USCP responsibility. 

However, to the extent that

access to TDD or a telephonerelay system involves

interconnectivity with the

USCP emergency number,

USCP will help to facilitate

the connection.

CSSO - The Congressional

Special Services Office

(CSSO) offers a variety of

services to assist staff and

official visitors with

disabilities. Descriptions of

CSSO’s services are published

in several places, including

the U.S. Senate Handbook

and on Webster, the Senate

intranet, as well as brochures

issued by the office. CSSO

offers seminars to staff

throughout the year on

communicating with

constituents with disabilities

and the use of

Telecommunication Devices

for the Deaf/Teletypewriters

(TDD/TTY). CSSO also

participates in ADA seminars

presented to congressional

offices, and is available for

individualized training on

TDD/TTY use and other issues

involving communications

with individuals with

disabilities. In addition CSSO

provides information on sign

language interpreting

services.
160See footnotes 137 - 138.

161See footnotes 139 - 144.

75

Effective

Communication: Hearing

Rooms160

There is no assistive listening system in

committee room 216.

Assistive listening system is available, but no

signage in committee room 902.

AOC - A committee room

renovation program began in

FY2004. Renovations include

the provision of infrared

assistive listening systems. 

Completion of the renovations

is scheduled for FY2010.

Compliant signage will be

provided.

Committees - Structural

changes to the committee

rooms fall under the

responsibility of the AOC. 

These committees understand

that the AOC will correct the

deficiencies, if any exist, and

defer to the AOC’s response

to these items.

Access to Offices and Hearing Rooms: Do individuals who have a mobility impairment have

equal access to the public areas in each office and hearing room?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility161

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Path of travel

from

accessible

main entrance

to offices and

hearing rooms

Accessible

Offices To be inspected in 109th Congress.

Elevators • Elevators 1 - 6 were being renovated at the

time of the inspection and were not evaluated.

• Elevators 7 - 11 were fully accessible.

• Elevator 12 does not have audible signals as

car passes or stops on floors. 

AOC - All elevators have been

tested and are compliant. 

Doors to each

committee

hearing room

Accessible 
162See footnotes 78 - 79, and 145.

163If floor space allows a parallel approach by a person in a wheelchair, the maximum high reach

range is 54 inches. If the floor space allows only a forward approach by a person in a wheelchair, the

maximum high reach range is 48 inches. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §§4.2.5 and 4.2.6.

76

Witness

Tables

Non-accessible table height in committee

hearing room 216. 

AOC - Will comply.

Committees - Structural

changes to the committee

rooms fall under the

responsibility of the AOC. 

The committee understands

that the AOC will correct the

deficiencies, if any exist, and

defers to the AOC’s response

to this item.

Path of travel

within hearing

rooms

All accessible 

Restrooms: Are public restrooms accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs or have other mobility

impairments?

 Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Accessible

restrooms162

There is at least one partially accessible

men’s restroom and women’s restroom on

each floor. However, some restrooms are not

fully compliant with the requirements of the

ADA for the following reasons: 

 • Doors too heavy on SH1CM, SH1CW,

SH2CW, SH2CM, SH4CM, SH4CW,

SH5CW, SH6CW, SH7CM, SH7CW,

SH8CW, SH9CW and SH9CM.

 • No signage indicating accessibility on the

9

th floor restrooms.

 • Paper towel dispensers out of reach

range163 in SH1CM, SH1CW, SH2CW,

SH2CM, SH3CM, SH3CW, SH3CW,

SH4CW, SH5CW, SH7CM, SH7CW,

SH9CW and SH9CM.

 • Hot water pipes under sink not properly

insulated in SH9CW and SH9CM.

AOC - Will comply.
164The OOC has reported this problem in every ADA biennial report since 1996 and it remains

uncorrected. For fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, $1,133,000 was appropriated for the Senate

Office Buildings for the Wayfinding and ADA Compliant Signage Program. 

165 See footnote 165.

77

Signage and

Maps

Existing wall maps do not indicate accessible

features of building including restrooms.164

AOC - Internal signage

program will be implemented

in FY2007. Wall maps are not

required to show all accessible

features.

Other Building Features: Are other facilities and features in the building readily accessible and usable

by individuals with disabilities such as mobility impaired, vision impaired or hearing impaired?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Public

Telephones

Accessible public telephone near SH1A5. 

However there is no directional signage at

entrance to building indicating location of the 

telephone.165 

AOC - Internal signage

program will be implemented

in FY2007. Wall maps are not

required to show all

accessible features.

Drinking

fountains

No accessible drinking fountains. AOC - Will comply. A design

project to provide compliant

drinking fountains will be

requested in the FY2007

budget request.
166 See footnote 123. 

167 See footnote 125.

78

F. Russell Senate Office Building (Size 735,783 square feet)

Accessible Building Entrance: Can a visitor who uses a wheelchair or who has other mobility

impairments freely enter the building?

Feature Description of Current Barrier to ADA

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Delaware

Ave. entrance

Accessible166

Signage for

accessible

entrance

Accessible

Sidewalks and

Curb Ramps

Accessible

Emergency Procedures: Does a visitor with a disability have equal opportunity to safely evacuate the

building, or get to a designated shelter-in-place location (on a higher floor if appropriate), in the event of

an drill or an actual emergency? 

Feature Description of Current

Barriers to Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access Issues

Accessible

Emergency

Exit Routes

• There are two accessible

emergency exits from the

building as required by the

NFPA.167 However, there

is only one accessible

emergency exit discharge

to the outdoors.

**********************

**********************

**********************

********************. 

If minor modifications

were made at the Carriage

entrance and at the loading

dock there could be at least

two additional accessible

exit discharge points

directly to the outdoors.

AOC - The Russell Loading Dock (Carriage

entrance) will be evaluated when construction of

that space is finished.

USCP - The minor modifications to the Carriage

entrance, as recommended, do not fall within

USCP responsibility.
168 See footnote 126.

79

Exit

Door/Exit

Route Signs

• Wall maps do not indicate

the secondary accessible

exit route or the location of

the Staging Areas.168

• Exit signage at the

building exits does not

meet the requirements for

accessibility.

AOC - Building directories are not required to

comply with ADA criteria per 28 CFR.Pt 36 App

A§ 4.1.2(7). Additional support is provided by the

new ADA-ABA Accessibility Guidelines developed

in July 2004 to update the requirements of

ADAAG and to harmonize the guidelines with

model building codes and industry standards. See

section 216.1 which states that building

directories do not need to comply with

accessibility criteria.

OOC response to AOC comment: Wall maps

or signage must show accessible egress

routes, accessible exit discharge points and

Staging Areas. Signage in Braille must be

provided at all exit stairwells and exit

discharge points. Without appropriate maps,

signage or directions, unescorted visitors who

are disabled may be unable to find their way

out of the building during an evacuation. 
169 See footnote 128.

170See footnote 129.

171See footnote 126.

172See footnote 130.

80

Areas of

Rescue

Assistance

• Staging Areas169 are

properly located.

• Two-way communication

systems must be installed,

or existing fire-fighter

phones modified, in all

Staging Areas. When these

phones are in use their

location should be

indicated on the main

control panel.170

 • Wall maps and signage

must indicate the location

of the Staging Areas.171

AOC - Two-way communication is only required

for areas of rescue assistance. The exception to 28

CFR Pt 36 App. A §4.1.3(9) does not require

areas of rescue assistance for buildings that have

a supervised automatic sprinkler system.

****************************************

*******************************.

Building directories are not required to comply

with ADA criteria.

USCP - The installation of two-way

communication systems in the Staging Areas,

maps and signage do not fall within USCP

responsibility. 

OOC response to AOC comment: While the

AOC takes the position that Staging Areas

are not required in the building, plans from

Member and Committee offices indicate that

individuals who are mobility impaired are to

be directed to the nearest Staging Area.

Visitors who are in the hallways at the time

of the alarm must also be able to find the

Staging Areas. These locations are not

currently shown on the new wall maps or on

other signage. Further, there is no way for

persons with disabilities in the Staging Areas

to contact rescuers. Thus, individuals may be

left behind in the Staging Areas unless there

is a plan to conduct multiple “sweeps” of

these areas, or to create a two-way

communication system by, for example,

modifying the existing fire-fighter phones. 

Visual Alarms Visual alarms have been

installed in most public

areas throughout the

building.172 However, there

are no visual alarms in the

following committee

hearing rooms that are

open to the public: 325,

336, 485, 428A, 222 and

189.

AOC - Areas noted will be provided visual alarms

under the Russell Fire Alarm Replacement Project

scheduled for FY2006 design and FY2009

construction.

Committees - Structural changes to the committee

rooms fall under the responsibility of the AOC. 

These committees understand that the AOC will

correct the deficiencies, if any exist, and defer to

the AOC’s response to these items.
173Ten employing offices in Russell responded to an OOC questionnaire on ADA public access. 

81

Plan for

Evacuation of

Mobility

Impaired

Employees

and Visitors

• Each office has an

evacuation plan. The

USCP is responsible for

coordinating the plans and

facilitating the evacuation

from the building. Citing

security concerns the

USCP declined to provide

the OOC with sufficiently

detailed information for the

OOC to evaluate the plan

for evacuating mobility

impaired visitors and

employees from the

building. It does appear

that USCP has reviewed

the plan with employing

offices in the Russell

building. 

• Evacuating disabled

individuals from the

Staging Areas appears to

rely on the elevators. 

Building backup power is

insufficient to power the

elevators during an

electrical outage. 

• Most of the employing

offices responding to an

OOC questionnaire173

reported that they will

escort disabled visitors to

the nearest Staging Area in

the event of an emergency,

and await USCP for further

assistance. 

• Most of the employing

offices in Russell that

responded to an OOC

questionnaire stated that

they would like training in

how to assist disabled

visitors during an

evacuation.

USCP - The USCP evacuation plan is available

for review and evaluation by the OOC upon

completion of the M OU with the OOC. However,

information pertaining to the evacuation of

Members of Congress may be withheld for security

reasons consistent with law. The USCP is not

responsible for coordinating plans.

Providing building back-up power for elevators

located in the Russell emergency staging areas is

not within the responsibility of the USCP. 

USCP personnel are available to assist in the safe

evacuation consistent with workplace safety

requirements and to facilitate communications. 

Previously, before September 11, 2001(9/11),

USCP officers provided information to employing

offices in Russell regarding the safe evacuation of

occupants. Post-9/11, the USCP coordinates with

the Senate Office of Emergency Preparedness to

ensure the safe evacuation of all occupants.

OOC response to USCP response:

Coordination of evacuation routes and plans

is essential for a safe and prompt evacuation. 

Evacuation plans of individual offices that

were examined by the OOC suggest that there

was some coordination with the USCP. The

OOC will continue to investigate evacuation

plan coordination during its inspections for 

the 109th Congress. 

AOC - Emergency power is provided for the

Staging Area elevator.

OSEP - The Senate Office of Security and

Emergency Preparedness (OSEP) offers a wide

range of ongoing training and outreach activities

to instruct Senate staff on the evacuation

procedures for both the general population and

employees and visitors with mobility impairments. 

OSEP also provides individuals training for staff

members with mobility impairments to familiarize

such employees with the procedures for elevator

evacuation and evacuation chair use. In addition,

OSEP has distributed brochures on “Senate

Office Building Evacuation Procedures for Those

with Mobility Impairments” throughout the Senate

complex, and has contributed articles to various

Senate publications, including one entitled

“Wheelchairs for Staff with Temporary Mobility

Impairments.” Finally, OSEP assists USCP in

conducting and monitoring the Senate’s quarterly

evacuation drills, ensuring that the appropriate
174 The OOC has reported this problem in every ADA biennial report since 1996 and it remains

uncorrected. For fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, $1,133,000 was appropriated for the Senate

Office Buildings for the Wayfinding and ADA Compliant Signage Program.

82

mobility impairments are being followed.

Communications Access to Programs, Services and Activities: Does a qualified individual with a

disability have equal communications access to the programs and activities of each of the public entities in

the building.

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Effective

Communication:

Information

and Signage

Existing wall maps do not indicate accessible

features of building including restrooms,

telephones, exit routes and accessible

discharge points, Staging Areas, cafeterias,

and water fountains.174

AOC - Internal signage

program will be implemented

in FY2007. Wall maps are not

required to show all

accessible features.

OOC response to AOC

comment: Wall maps or

signage must show

accessible egress routes,

accessible exit discharge

points and Staging Areas. 

Signage in braille must be

provided at all exit

stairwells and exit

discharge points. Without

appropriate maps, signage

or directions, unescorted

visitors who are disabled

may be unable to find their

way out of the building

during an evacuation. 
175See footnotes 135 - 136 and 174.

176See footnotes 137 - 138.

83

Effective

Communication: Individual

requests

175

• A few of the Senator and Committee offices

in Russell that responded to an OOC

questionnaire reported that they had received

at least one request for auxiliary aids and

services from a hearing-impaired or lowvision individual. 

• Many of the offices in Russell that

responded to an OOC questionnaire reported

that they do not know how to respond to a

request for a sign language interpreter or

other auxiliary aid from a deaf or hard-ofhearing constituent or member of the public.

• Some of the offices in Russell that

responded to an OOC questionnaire reported

that they do not have access to TDD or a

telephone relay system. 

USCP - These items do not

fall within USCP

responsibility. To the extent

that access to TDD or a

telephone-relay system

involves interconnectivity with

the USCP emergency number,

USCP will help to facilitate

the connection.

CSSO - The Congressional

Special Services Office

(CSSO) offers a variety of

services to assist staff and

official visitors with

disabilities. Descriptions of

CSSO’s services are published

in several places, including

the U.S. Senate Handbook

and on Webster, the Senate

intranet, as well as brochures

issued by the office. CSSO

offers seminars to staff

throughout the year on

communicating with

constituents with disabilities

and the use of

Telecommunication Devices

for the Deaf/Teletypewriters

(TDD/TTY). CSSO also

participates in ADA seminars

presented to congressional

offices, and is available for

individualized training on

TDD/TTY use and other issues

involving communications

with individuals with

disabilities. In addition CSSO

provides information on sign

language interpreting

services.

Effective

Communication: Hearing

Rooms176

There is no assistive listening system in

committee rooms 485 and 428A.

Assistive listening system is available, but no

signage in committee rooms 325, 189, 188

and 336.

AOC - A committee room

renovation program began in

FY2004. Renovations include

the provision of infrared

assistive listening systems. 

Completion of the renovations

is scheduled for FY2010.

Complaint signage will be

provided.
177See footnotes 139 - 144.

84

Access to Offices and Hearing Rooms: Do individuals who have a mobility impairment have equal

access to the public areas in each office and hearing room?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility177

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Path of travel

from

accessible

main entrance

to offices and

hearing rooms

Fully accessible

Offices To be inspected during 109th Congress

Elevators • The elevators are generally compliant

except that Elevator 12 does not have audible

signals. 

• Elevators 1 - 9, although small, meet the

minimum size requirements for existing

elevators. 

AOC - All elevators have been

tested and are compliant.

Doors to each

committee

hearing room

Non-accessible door hardware and weight in

committee rooms 336, 222, 236, 253, 485,

325, 189, 188, 428A and 418.

AOC - Equivalent facilitation

per 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §2.2

is provided as indicated in

footnote 139.

Committees - These doors are

manned and therefore are

ADA-compliant. Per the

conversation with the OOC,

there are no deficiencies here.

Witness

Tables

Non-accessible height of witness table in

committee hearing rooms C3, 188, 418 and

428A.

AOC - Will comply. 

Committees - Structural

changes to the committee

rooms fall under the

responsibility of the AOC. 

These committees understand

that the AOC will correct the

deficiencies, if any exist, and

defer to the AOC’s response

to these items.
178See footnote 145.

179If floor space allows a parallel approach by a person in a wheelchair, the maximum high reach

range is 54 inches. If the floor space allows only a forward approach by a person in a wheelchair, the

maximum high reach range is 48 inches. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §§4.2.5 and 4.2.6. 

85

Restrooms: Are public restrooms accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs or have other mobility

impairments?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Accessible

restrooms178

There are accessible restrooms throughout the

building. However some of the restrooms are

only partially accessible because they are not

compliant with the requirements of the ADA

for the following reasons:

 • Doors are too heavy in the following

accessible restrooms: SR2W1, SR2W3,

SR2W4, SR3M2, SR1W3, SR1W4, SR1M4,

SR1M2, SR1M3, SR3M3, SR3M4, SR3M1,

SR3W4, SR3W3, SR4M2, SR4M4, SR4W3,

SR4W4 and SR4W1. 

 • Grab bars too short or missing in 

accessible restrooms SR2W1 and SRBW1.

 • Coat hook non-compliant because out of

reach range in accessible restrooms SR2W3

and SR3M3. 

 • Under-sink piping is not insulated and

therefore non-compliant in accessible

restrooms SR2W3, SR1W3, SR1W4,

SR1M3, SR2M1, SR3W3, SR4W3 and

SR4W4.

AOC - Will comply

Signage and

maps

• Placement of sign to restroom SR2M1 is

non-compliant. 

AOC - Will comply

Other Building Features: Are other facilities and features in the building accessible and usable by

individuals with disabilities such as mobility impaired, vision impaired or hearing impaired?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Public

Telephones

There is only one wheelchair accessible

public telephone in the building (near R129S)

and this telephone is non-compliant because

the controls are higher than acceptable reach

range.179 

SSA - The Office of the Senate

Sergeant at Arms and the

AOC have plans to address

the public telephone

accessibility item.
86

Drinking

fountains

There are only a few functioning water

fountains in the public areas of the building,

and none of these fountains is accessible.

AOC - Will comply. A design

project to provide compliant

drinking fountains will be

requested in the FY2007

budget request.

Cafeteria Fully compliant except the cash register

counter top is too high.

AOC - This comment will be

considered if new equipment

is purchased.
180Accessible means that the feature complies with the ADA standards for Non-Discrimination on

the Basis of Disability promulgated by the U.S. Department of Justice. The applicable standards are

published at 28 CFR Parts 35 and 36. 

181See NFPA 101 Life Safety Code §39.2.4.2. See also 29 CFR 1910.36(b)(1).

87

G. Capitol Building

Accessible Building Entrance: Can a visitor who uses a wheelchair or who has other mobility

impairments freely enter the building?

Feature Description of Current Barrier to ADA

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Entrance -

South Portico

Accessible180

Entrance -

North Portico

Accessible

Entrance -

Tour bus

Accessible

Signage for

Accessible

Entrance

Accessible

Sidewalks and

Curb Ramps

• Non-accessible sidewalk slope. However an

acceptable alternate accessible route is

provide because there is a fully accessible

shuttle bus to the tour entrance. 

• Ramp for staff-led tours in the tunnel is

non-accessible because the slope is too steep. 

AOC - 5/2/05 Once the CVC

project is completed, staff -

lead tours will be routed

through the CVC where

barriers for ADA Accessibility

will not exist.

Emergency Procedures: Does a visitor with a disability have equal opportunity to safely evacuate the

building, or get to a designated shelter-in-place location (on a higher floor if appropriate), in the event of

an drill or an actual emergency?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access Issues

Accessible

Emergency

Exit Routes

There are two accessible emergency

exits from the building as required by

the NFPA.181
182 The NFPA requires that all exit routes, including accessible exit routes, be clearly indicated. 

NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code § 7.10.1.4. The AOC has plans to install wall maps to indicate the

accessible exit routes along with other features of the building, but to date has not done so. The wall

maps must comply with ADA Signage requirements. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.30. Non-existent or

inaccurate information about accessible exit routes is also a violation of OSH standards protecting

employees. 29 CFR 1910.37(b)(4). The OOC has reported this problem in every ADA biennial report

since 1996 and it remains uncorrected. For fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, $130,000 was

appropriated for the Capitol Building Wayfinding and ADA Compliant Signage Program.

88

Exit

Door/Exit

Route Signs

There are no wall maps indicating

emergency exit routes, Staging Areas

or accessible elevators.182

AOC - This deficiency will be

addressed in the Capitol Building

Wayfinding Signage Program. 

The interior signage is currently

being reviewed and will include

location maps, direction/destination

signs, display emergency exit routes

and accessible elevators and routes.

The message schedules and final

locations are being reviewed for

comments to the consultant to prepare

the third draft submission.

The message schedule and locations

will be finalized in May 2005. The

schedule for installation will be

determined after final package is

accepted/ approved and the package

is forwarded to the contractor for

fabrication of the signs. Fabrication

projected start 4th qtr of FY05.

OOC response to AOC comment:

Wall maps or signage must show

accessible egress routes,

accessible exit discharge points

and Staging Areas. Signage in

braille must be provided at all exit

stairwells and exit discharge

points.
183 If disabled individuals cannot immediately evacuate it is permitted to temporarily postpone

their evacuation while the emergency is assessed, so long as they are waiting in a protected area. See

NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code §A.3.3.14. There are no such protected areas in the building that meet

the fire safety requirements for Areas of Rescue Assistance (28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.3.11) or Areas of

Refuge (NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code §3.3.14). Instead, the evacuation plan calls for disabled

individuals to gather at specified Staging Areas on each floor to await assistance in leaving the building. 

In the Capitol Building the Staging Areas do not require installation of a two-way communication

system, as is required in other buildings, because there is a USCP officer stationed nearby whenever the

building is occupied. District of Columbia Fire Department fire-fighters will rescue only those

individuals from the Staging Areas that are in the immediate danger zone. Evacuation of other

individuals who are awaiting assistance must be provided by USCP. See also 29 CFR 1910.38(c). 

184The ADA requires that visual alarms be installed in, at minimum, restrooms, hallways, lobbies

and any other areas open to the public. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §4.28.1. Requirements for individual

offices where deaf or hard of hearing employees may work are covered by the Occupational Safety and

Health Act (OSHA). See 29 CFR 1910.165(b)(2) and NFPA 101-2000 Life Safety Code §9.6.3.6. .

89

Areas of

Rescue

Assistance 

• 4th floor Staging Area183 locations

are acceptable.

• *************************

*******************************

******************************.

•***********************

*************************.

• 1st floor exit discharge points are

accessible. 

• ****************************

*******************************

**************************.

AOC - 5/2/05 The AOC

Superintendent is in the process of

testing the elevator recall capabilities

under emergency mode. Once

completed (June 2005), the elevator

lobbies will be designated as staging

areas.

5/2/05 Basement:

Exit routes are available through the

Cannon Tunnel and the Senate

Subway Tunnels.

OOC response to AOC: OOC will

reinspect the accessibility of the

basement tunnels during the 109th

Congress.

USCP - These items are not USCP

responsibilities.

Visual Alarms *******************************

***************************.184

AOC - 5/2/05 Installation of strobes

throughout the building has been

completed. 

Performing punch list items with full

implementation and activation of the

system by June 2005.
90

Plan for

Evacuation of

Mobility

Impaired

Employees

and Visitors

The USCP is responsible for

facilitating the evacuation from the

building. Citing security concerns the

USCP declined to provide the OOC

with sufficiently detailed information

for the OOC to evaluate the plan.

• CSSO staff who lead public tours for

the disabled are familiar with

accessible evacuation routes.

• The OOC does not have sufficient

information to know whether

individuals who lead staff-led tours

are familiar with accessible evacuation

routes. 

USCP - The USCP evacuation plan is

available for review and evaluation

by the OOC upon completion of the

MOU with the OOC. However,

information pertaining to the

evacuation of Members of Congress

may be withheld for security reasons

consistent with law. The USCP is not

responsible for coordinating plans.

OOC response to USCP comment:

Coordination of evacuation routes

and plans is essential for a safe

and prompt evacuation. 

Evacuation plans of individual

offices that were examined by the

OOC suggest that there was some

coordination with the USCP. The

OOC will continue to investigate

evacuation plan coordination

during its inspections for the 109th

Congress.
185The OOC has reported this deficiency in every ADA biennial report we have issued and it

remains uncorrected. For fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, $130,000 was appropriated for the

Capitol Building Wayfinding and ADA Signage Program.

91

Communications Access to Programs, Services and Activities: Does a qualified individual with a

disability have equal communications access to the programs and activities of each of the public entities in

the building.

 Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access Issues

Effective

Communication:

Information

and Signage

Existing wall maps do not indicate

accessible features of building

including elevators, restrooms,

telephones, exit routes and discharge

points, Staging Areas, cafeterias, and

water fountains.185

AOC - This deficiency will be

addressed in the capitol Building

Wayfinding Signage Program. The

interior signage is currently being

reviewed and will include location

maps, direction/destination signs,

display emergency exit routes, and

accessible elevators and routes. The

message schedules and final locations

are being reviewed for comments to

the consultant to prepare the third

draft submission. The message

schedules and locations will be

finalized in May 2005. The schedule

for installation will be determined

after final package is accepted/

approved and the package is

forwarded to the contractor for

fabrication of the signs. Fabrication

projected start 4th qtr of FY05.

OOC response to AOC comment:

Wall maps or signage must show

accessible egress routes,

accessible exit discharge points

and Staging Areas. Signage in

Braille must be provided at all exit

stairwells and exit discharge

points.

Effective

Communication: Individual

requests

The OOC does not have this

information from individual

employing authorities in the Capitol

Building.

AOC - Not the responsibility of the

Capitol Building Superintendent’s

office.

Effective

Communication: Hearing

Rooms

Committee rooms were not inspected

for this report because there are no

Committee Hearing Rooms in the

Capitol Building that are open to the

public.
92

Access to Offices and Hearing Rooms: Do individuals who have a mobility impairment have equal

access to the public areas in the building?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Path of travel

to public

areas in

building

Accessible

Offices To be inspected in 109th Congress

Elevators Although some elevators are very small, other

elevators have been modernized and are fully

accessible. 

Committee

hearing rooms

Committee rooms were not inspected for this

report because there are no Committee

Hearing Rooms in the Capitol Building that

are open to the public.

Restrooms: Are public restrooms accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs or have other mobility

impairments?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access Issues
186Accessible restrooms are restrooms which can be used by an individual who uses a wheelchair. 

The specific requirements are set forth at 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §§4.13, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18, 4.19, 4.22, 4.23,

4.24, 4.26 and 4.27. There must be at least one accessible men’s room and one accessible women’s room

on each floor. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A 4.1.6(3)(e)(I). Accessible restrooms are also required for employees

who use wheelchairs. 29 CFR 1910.141(c).

187If floor space allows a parallel approach by a person in a wheelchair, the maximum high reach

range is 54 inches. If the floor space allows only a forward approach by a person in a wheelchair, the

maximum high reach range is 48 inches. 28 CFR Pt 36 App A §§4.2.5 and 4.2.6.

93

Accessible

restrooms186

• There are no accessible restrooms

on the gallery floor.

• The automatic door openers on a

number of women’s restrooms have

been disabled and will open only by

activating a toggle switch inside the

restroom. This toggle switch is out

(continued next page) 

AOC - There are two restrooms (men &

women) planned for the gallery level.

The work requirements and cost 

estimates are under development. The

projected completion of the restrooms

is by the 4th qtr of FY06.

All automatic door openers

are currently operating properly. When

an opener is found malfunctioning or

not working, immediate response and

attention is given to correct the

concern. (Continued next page)

of the reach range187 of a person who

uses a wheelchair.

• The accessible public restrooms

near the following rooms do not have

visual alarms: H135, H138, A157A,

S137W, S136M.

• There are no grab bars and sink

height is non-compliant in health unit

restroom.

• Doors too heavy on restrooms

ST32W, ST32M, S136M

All listed bathrooms have visual

alarms. Acceptance testing was

conducted on March 31, 2005 for the

visual alarms. The minor punch list

items have been complete. A final

acceptance test was conducted June 1st

and 2nd. Some minor issues remain to

be resolved but the system is fully 

functioning

The sink in the Health Unit is now

installed to the proper height. Grab

bars have now been installed in the

Health Unit restroom. 

The listed doors have been adjusted in

the past to address the force needed to

open them. These locations will be revisited by May 13, 2005 to determine if

additional adjustments to the door

and/or hardware are required or if

replacement of the doors should be

considered.
94

Signage and

maps

• Signage at location of all accessible

restrooms is non-compliant because it

is not in Braille and is at an incorrect

height.

AOC: This deficiency will be

addressed in the Capitol Building

Wayfinding signage Program. The

interior signage is currently

being reviewed and will include

location maps, direction/destination

signs, display emergency exit routes,

and accessible elevators and routes. 

The message schedules and final

locations are being reviewed for

comments to the consultant to prepare

the third draft submission. The

message schedule and locations will be

finalized in May 2005. The schedule

for installation will be determined after

finale package is accepted/approved

and the package is forwarded to the

contractor for fabrication of the signs.

Fabrication projected start 4th qtr of

FY05. 
95

Other Building Features: Are other facilities and features in the building readily accessible and usable by

individuals with disabilities such as mobility impaired, vision impaired or hearing impaired?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Public

Telephones

Accessible

Drinking

fountains

Accessible

Restaurants To be inspected during 109th Congress
96

H. Botanic Garden Conservatory Building

Feature Description of Current Barrier to ADA

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Entrance Fully accessible

Public

Telephones

Telephones generally accessible but there is

not directional signage to indicate location. 

AOC - Awaiting clarification

on the findings pertaining to

public telephone and

emergency exit access. AOC

will likely provide both

directional signage to

restrooms and telephones

along the handicap accessible

route and also post a

directory at both front and

back that shows locations of

restroom, telephones, exits,

and entrances in raised

lettering and/or braille.

Path of travel

within public

areas 

All accessible

Elevator Accessible

Restrooms Men’s and women’s restrooms both fully

accessible. 

Emergency

Exits

Signage for emergency exits is not accessible. AOC - Awaiting clarification

on the finding pertaining to

public telephone and

emergency exit access. We

will likely provide both

directional signage to

restrooms and telephones

along the handicap accessible

route and also post a

directory at both front and

back that shows locations of

restroom, telephones, exits,

and entrances in raised

lettering and/or braille. 
97

I. Ford House Office Building

The public areas in this building include some portions of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) the

Health Center and the cafeterias. 

Accessible Building Entrance: Can a visitor who uses a wheelchair or who has other mobility

impairments freely enter the building?

Feature Description of Current Barrier to ADA

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Third Street

entrance 

Accessible

Second Street

entrance

Accessible

Passenger

Loading or

Drop off

Accessible

Signage for

Accessible

Entrance

Accessible

Sidewalks and

Curb Ramps

Sidewalks near the entrance need to be

repaired in order to become accessible. 

AOC - Need specific

information.

Emergency Procedures: Does a visitor with a disability have equal opportunity to safely evacuate the

building, or get to a designated shelter-in-place location (on a higher floor if appropriate), in the event of an

drill or an actual emergency? 

Accessible

Emergency

Exit Routes

There are two accessible exit discharge points

Exit

Door/Exit

Route Signs

Exit signage at building exits does not meet

the requirements for accessibility.

Areas of

Rescue

Assistance

Not inspected

Visual Alarms Not inspected
98

Plan for

Evacuation of

Mobility

Impaired

Employees

and Visitors

************************************

************************************

*******************************. 

USCP - USCP has no control

of other employing offices and

advises employing offices, as

necessary, where staging

areas are located.

OOC Response to USCP

comment: Coordination of

evacuation routes and plans

is essential for a safe and

prompt evacuation. 

Evacuation plans of

individual offices that were

examined by the OOC

suggest that there was

some coordination with the

USCP. The OOC will

continue to investigate

evacuation plan

coordination during its

inspections for the 109th

Congress.

Access to Offices: Do individuals who have a mobility impairment have equal access to the public areas

and offices?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Path of travel

from

accessible

main entrance

to CBO

Accessible

Elevators Accessible

Doors to

conference

rooms

The door knob hardware within the

Congressional Budget Office is not

accessible. However, the staff generally

keeps these doors open.
188Map information is not accurate for the accessible 2

nd Street women’s room on second floor.

99

Public Restrooms: Are public restrooms accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs or have other

mobility impairments?

Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Accessible

restrooms

Generally accessible with the following

exceptions:

• The Grab Bars are non-accessible (either

length or placement) in the 2nd and 3rd

Street restrooms on the first through fifth

floors, the 3rd Street restroom on the sixth

floor, and the restroom in the Health Unit.

• Ambulatory stalls are not provided in the

2

nd and 3rd Street women’s restrooms on

the second through fifth floors.

• Flush controls are non-accessible in the

3

rd Street women’s rooms on all floors

and the 3rd Street men’s rooms on the 5th

and 6th floors

• Non-accessible mirrors in the men’s 2nd

Street restroom on the first and fourth

floors and 3rd Street restroom on the

second and third floors

AOC - Work orders to be

issued.

Signage and

maps

Maps generally provided throughout the

building, however location of accessible

telephones is not indicated.188

Other Building Features: Are other facilities and features in the building readily accessible and usable by

individuals with disabilities such as a mobility impaired, vision impaired or hearing impaired?

 Feature Description of Current Barriers to

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

Public

Telephones

Accessible telephones off 3rd Street lobby.

Drinking

fountains

Generally accessible however the spout

height is a few inches too high.

Health Unit -

Room 145

Accessible except for restroom (as noted

above.)
100

Ford Cafeteria Generally accessible, however utensils are

out of reach range. 

CAO - A tray with the

appropriate utensils has been

positioned to allow for access.

Ford Carry-Out Generally accessible, however utensils are

out of reach range.

CAO - Utensils have been

placed within reach range.
101

J. Office of Compliance (Adams Library of Congress Building)

 Feature Description of Current Barrier to ADA

Accessibility

Plans to Remedy Access

Issues

 Entrance Accessible

Path of Travel

from Entrance to

Office

Accessible

Elevators Accessible

Door to Main

Office

Non-accessible door weight, door width

and door hardware.

Conference

Room Table

Accessible 

Restrooms • Women’s restroom is fully accessible

except signage is non-compliant because it

is too high and not in braille.

• Men’s restroom is not accessible. 

Exit Door/Exit

Route Signs

Directional signage at the building exits

does not meet the requirements for

accessibility.

Areas of Rescue

Assistance

The Staging Area is properly located. 

Effective

Communication

The office has a TDD.
102

VI. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Facilities and procedures were inspected for this report between May and December 2004. The

inspection of facilities was principally conducted Earlene Sesker, Accessibility Specialist with the

Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board. Thomas H. Seymour, Professional

Safety and Fire Protection Engineer and a consultant to the OGC, conducted those inspections of

facilities involving egress and fire safety issues. Inspection of procedures primarily involved the

examination of responses to a questionnaire sent to all Member and Committee offices. The

General Counsel is grateful for the participation of those offices which responded to the

questionnaire. 

Kate Tapley, Senior Attorney with the OGC was the primary author of the report. She also

oversaw the inspection of the buildings and procedures. Ms. Tapley received invaluable advice

and assistance from Roberta Kirkendall, Esq. of the United States Department of Justice and from

Jessica A. Hubert, Fire Safety Intern with the OGC. Editorial assistance was provided by James

Abbott, Deputy General Counsel of the OGC, Stephen Mallinger, Certified Industrial Hygienist

and Special Assistant to the General Counsel, and Eugene Ahn, former Legal Intern to the OGC. 

Production assistance was provided by Kisha Harley, Legal Technician, Sarah Buckbee, Assistant

Systems Administrator, David K. Young, Management/Program Analyst, and Carol Griffith,

Paralegal and Administrative Assistant to the General Counsel.

Peter Ames Eveleth

General Counsel

Office of Compliance

November, 2005