: 
GAO United States 

General Accounting Office 

Washington, D.C. 20548 

Program Evaluation and 

Methodology Division 

B-246667 

June 21,1994 

The Honorable Major R. Owens 

Chairman, Subcommittee on Select Education 

and Civil Rights 

Committee on Education and Labor 

House of Representatives 

Dear Mr. Chairman: 

This report discusses the extent to which one of the main objectives of the 

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) has been met’ Specifically, the 

Subcommittee wanted to know if access by persons with disabilities to 

goods and services provided by businesses and state and local 

governments had increased compared to the situation before the effective 

dates of the law. This report compares such accessibility just before the 

effective date of these parts of the law (January 1992), as previously 

reported, to accessibility at two later dates, August 1992 and April 1993.2 

In brief, we found that the ADA has had some notable effects: both 

accessibility for persons with disabilities, and owners’ and managers’ 

awareness about the ADA considerably and steadily increased from 

January 1992 to April 1993. Nevertheless, we identified some areas where 

improvements could still be made and, therefore, the attention of the 

Congress continues to be helpful. 

For example: 

l In the facilities we observed, the percentage of features that were 

consistent with the ADA Accessibilify Guidelines (ADAAG) increased by 7 

points from January 1992 to April 1993.3 Similarly, with regard to barriers 

that persons with disabilities had reported to us in our survey, we found a 

decrease of 10 percentage points during that same period. 

l According to both our observations and the reported experiences of 

persons with disabilities, a number of important barriers remained in April 

‘Public Law 101336. 

2tJ.S. General Accounting Office, Americans With Disabilities Act; Initial Accessibility Good But 

Important %niem Remain (GAOIPEMD-93-16; May 19,1993). 

3The ADA muired that minimum guidelines be issued by the Architectural and Transportation 

Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB), a federal agency. The ADA Accessibility Guidelines were 

subsequently adopted by the Department of Justice as standards to define new construction and 

akemtion requirements. 

Page 1 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
B-246667 

1993 even though the number of such barriers had decreased by nearly 

50 percent compared to those observed in January 1992. 

9 Managers and owners of establishments covered by the ADA and in our 

sample reported greater awareness of the law and their specific 

responsibilities under it as time passed. 

l By April 1993, approximately half of the owners and managers interviewed 

still had not made any barrier-removal efforts and half did not have any 

specific plans to do so in the future. Nevertheless, barrier-removal efforts, 

both completed and planned, increased by 26 and 24 percentage points, 

respectively, from January 1992 to April 1993. 

l By April 1993, a greater number of owners and managers reported that 

completed barrier-removal efforts were beneficial and fewer mentioned 

burdens, compared to those in January 1992. 

l In the facilities we visited, completed barrier-removal efforts were more 

consistent with the standards than they had been: the number of 

completed efforts that resulted in features still not consistent with the 

FUG had decreased by 39 percentage points from January 1992 to 

April 1993. 

l In contrast, a sizable minority of planned barrier-removal efforts are not 

necessary, in that we judged the features they targeted to be already 

consistent with the ADAAG. This percentage of unnecessary planned 

changes increased slightly from 28 percent in January 1992 to 35 percent in 

April 1993. 

Overall, we observed steady improvement in both accessibility and 

awareness during the initial 15 months that the ADA was in effect. 

However, enough areas of concern remain to suggest a need for 

continuing educational outreach and technical assistance to businesses 

and government agencies covered by the act and continued monitoring by 

the Congress. Specitically, the ongoing presence of common and 

important barriers, the failure of half of those visited to remove 

architectural barriers or develop plans to do so in the future, and the lack 

of fully informed planned barrier-removal efforts indicate that the goal of 

the ADA to increase accessibility to persons with disabilities has not yet 

been completely fulfilled. W ith 15 months available to complete 

barrier-removal efforts in areas where little difficulty or expense would 

have been involved, we believe that the facilities we observed could have 

done more.* 

INeither the ADA nor Justice regulations specify a date by which barrier-removal efforts must be 

completed. Rather, such efforts by businesses are a continuing obligation in that barrier removal that 

is not readily achievable at this time may be readily achievable in the future. 

Page 2 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
B-246667 

Background 43 million Americans with disabilities and that these individuals had been 

isolated and segregated, faced restrictions and limitations, occupied an 

inferior status, and had been seriously disadvantaged. The ADA defines 

disabil.iI~ as (a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits 

one or more of the major life activities, @) a record of such an 

impairment, or (c) being regarded as having such an impairment. The act 

prohibits discrimmation in employment, public services (including 

transportation), public accommodations, and telecommunications and 

was designed with a phased implementation schedule. 

We began our work on the provisions that went into effect first-public 

services and public accommodations--and we plan to evaluate the 

employment provisions later. The law prohibits discrimination by either 

state or local governments (referred to as public services in title II, subtitle 

A) or by private businesses (referred to as public accommodations and 

commercial facihties in title III). A major type of potential discrimination 

occurs when access to goods and services offered by businesses and 

government agencies is limited. Thus the majority of the relevant ADA 

regulations concerning accessibility focus on physical or architectural 

barriers, such as the width of doorways, the slope of ramps, the readability 

of signs, and the location of assistive listening devices. Our study therefore 

focused on the extent to which businesses and government agencies had 

met these accessibility standards5 

Objectives and We addressed four main questions: 

Methodology l To what extent did the accessibility of businesses and state and local 

government facilities to persons with disabilities change in the 15 months 

after the ADA took effect? 

l What were the most common barriers remaining? 

l To what extent did the level of owners’ and managers’ awareness of their 

responsibilities under the ADA change in the 15 months after the law took 

effect? 

. What was the nature of the barrier-removal efforts made by owners and 

managers from the passage of the ADA to 15 months after it took effect? 

“Legal compliance is a separate issue and was beyond the scope of our work, as discussed in detail in 

appendix I. In brief, determining legal compliance involves not oniy identifying barriers but also, in the 

case of business, evaluating whether barrier removal is readily achievable and, if not, whether the 

goods or services of the public accommodation have been made available through alternative methods 

(e.g., providing cm6 service or home delivery] or, in the case of government, determining if barrier 

removal is required to provide program access. We did not attempt to reach conclusions in this area 

Page 3 GAOfE’EMD-94-14 ADA: ElTects of the Law on Access 

f 
B-246667 

We used three different methods to collect the data necessary to answer 

these questions. (A detailed description of our scope and methodology is 

presented in appendix I.) Data were collected using each of the three 

methods at three different times: January 1992, August 1992, and 

April 1993. 

Fkst, we visited businesses and government facilities to evaluate specific 

features of the establishments using the minimum accessibility standards 

in the DUG.' In each of the 11 cities we visited, we randomly selected up 

to four facilities representing each of eight different kinds of businesses 

and state and local government facilities7 In January 1992, we visited 231 

such establishments; in August 1992, we visited 322 different businesses 

and government facilities; and in April 1993, we visited an additional 276. 

Second, we interviewed the owners or managers of the facilities we visited 

to find out what they knew about the ADA and what actions, if any, they 

had taken. (We did not directly measure the extent or accuracy of what 

they knew, but rather asked them to rate their own level of knowledge.)8 

Finally, we surveyed persons with mobikty and sensory-related disabilities 

about how often and where, in the 6 months before each survey, they 

found specific barriers in trying to access public services and public 

accommodations.g These surveys were conducted at the same times as the 

observational assessments and interviews; that is, in January 1992, August 

1992, and April 1993.‘O The number of valid responses to each survey was 

1,193,854, and 726, respectively, representing adjusted response rates 

‘?he ADA requires that government facilities provide program access to all, which may or may not 

~uire~tructu& change. Our work however, focused only on the physical accessibility of government 

?We included in our review only those businesses immediately subject to civil penalties; that is, those 

with 25 or more employees or more than $1 million in gross receipts. 

*We are grateful to all the owners and managers who assisted with the observations and interviews, 

not only giving of their time, but also opening their establishments to us. 

sPersons surveyed were on the mailing lists of certain disability-specific organizations and may not be 

representative of all persons with disabilities. We greatly appreciate the cooperation we received from 

alI of the organizations that assisted with this data collection task. We are especially indebted to the 

individuals with disabilities who completed our survey. 

the survey was initially sent to more than 2,200 individuals, but many did not have a disability or 

were otherwise inappropriate to include. These individuals were excluded from the subsequent 

mailings. 

Page 4 GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
B-246667 

(after invalid cases were removed) of 64 percent, 55 percent, and 

49 percent.” 

The primary strength of our method was our ability to repeat these 

assessments at three different times. This allowed us to test for changes 

from a baseline as the law was implemented. In addition, our use of both 

on-site observations and our survey of the experiences of persons with 

disabilities permitted us to corroborate the accessibility status of facilities. 

This helps us have more confidence in our Iindings than would otherwise 

be the case. 

principal Findings 

Accessibility Improved 

After hnplementation of 

the ADA 

We found that 67 percent of the features we observed in businesses and 

government facilities were consistent with the accessibility standards by 

January 1992, and the level of the accessibility further improved by 7 

points by April 1993. Our survey yielded similar findings from the 

viewpoint of persons with disabilities, showing a 19percentage-point 

increase. The full results of our observations and surveys are presented in 

appendixes II and III. 

We judged each establishment on as many as 431 different features. We 

also surveyed persons with disabilities about their experiences with 97 

different potential barriers. Specifically, we found a slight improvement in 

accessibiliw from January 1992 to April 1993. (See figure 1.) 

“We have no Reagan to believe that there is any systematic bias introduced by differences between 

respondents and nonrespondents. First, the pattern of response rates across the members of the 

different organizations is similar at all three assessment periods, as shown in appendix I. Second, also 

illustrated in appendix I, there are no differences based on employment status, gender, or age of the 

respondents at the three assessment periods. Finally, most of the feedback we received from 

respondents at the third assessment period suggests that some felt overly burdened. Specifically, many 

reported that they had already responded on more than one occasion and could not respond again. 

Page 6 GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
B-246667 

Figure 1: Accessibility of Facilities 

100 Percent of Features 

95 

90 

10 J 

0 

January 1992 August 1992 April 1993 

Data collection Perbd 

- Observations 

- - survey 

l When looking at the performance of each establishment we visited, we 

found the percentage of the observed features that were consistent with 

the ADA Accessibility Guidelines increased from an average of 67 percent 

to 74 percent in the first 15 months the ADA was effective. 

l When considering a wide range of potential barriers listed in our survey, 

we found the percentage of persons with disabilities reporting that the 

features we asked about did not often create barriers increased from 

72 percent to 82 percent in the 15 months after the ADA was implemented.12 

These findings are consistent with a nationwide set of observations made 

by the United Cerebral Palsy Associations in the summer of 1993. Scores 

‘me & at which respondents reported encountering barriers may underrepresent the actual 

presence of barriers. Individuals with disabilities more than likely frequent establishments they know 

to be accessible and try to avoid those they know will present barriers. 

Page 6 GAO/F’EMD-94-14 ADk Effects of the Law on Access 
B-246667 

for their assessment averaged a “B” for basicaNy barrier-free; few rated an 

“A” for accessible.13 

Some Important Barriers 

Remain 

To determine the most common barriers remaining, we noted any features 

that met two criteria: our survey respondents reported encountering the 

barrier at least “often” and we frequently observed the problem in our 

visits (in more than 50 percent of the facilities). Fifteen months after the 

ADA was implemented, we found seven items that met these criteria, This 

compares to the 13 items we found meeting the criteria just before the law 

went into effect However, frequent barriers may or may not be important 

ones. We therefore reviewed our findings using priorities set by the 

Department of Justice for barrier removal in businesses. Where scarce 

resources set limits on barrier removal, Justice recommended that top 

priority be given to improving access to a facility, followed by access to 

the goods and services within, that is, doing what one comes to do in that 

facility. Access to rest room facilities ranked third, followed by the fourth 

category of all remaining access matters. 

Of the seven common barriers we found, five, or 71 percent, were in the 

second highest Justice priority area-access to goods and services-as 

shown in table 1.14 Thus we concluded that despite the relatively high level 

of accessibility of many of the establishments, important barriers remain. 

‘%hlted Cerebral palsy Associations, ADA Report Card on America: 1993 Progress Report on ADA in 

American Businesses (Washington, D.C.: August 1993). 

‘“We included barriers in hotel room bathrooms in the second Justice priority category as those are 

barriers to the basic use of the hotel guest room Barriers we found in rest moms elsewhere, such as in 

shopping malls or even the common lobby areas of hotels, were placed in the third Justice priority 

category, related to rest room access in general. 

Page 7 GAOmEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access ’ 
: 

B-246667 

Table 1: Important Barriers Remaining 

in April 1993 by Priority Category 

CEltegory 

Entry 

Access to goods 

and services 

Rest Rooms 

Other access 

Barrier 

None 

Not enough signs with raised 

print or Braille 

Lack of required number of 

assistive devices for the deaf 

in hotel rooms 

Inaccessible showers or tubs 

in hotel rooms 

Inaccessible toilets in hotel 

rooms 

Inaccessible sinks in hotel 

rooms 

None 

Pay phones without text 

telephones (TTYs or TDDs) 

Pay phones without 

amplification systems 

Features 

observed that 

Mean were not 

survey consistent with 

score’ ADAAG 

3.15 82% 

3.56 81 

3.51 65 

3.06 52 

3.04 66 

3.57 80 

3.16 77 

aOur survey asked persons with disabilities how often they found specific features to be a 

problem. A response of “seldom if ever” was given a score of 1; “sometimes,” 2; “often,” 3; “very 

often,” 4; and “always or almost always,” 5. Thus a higher score indicates more frequent 

encountering of the barrier. 

Frequent barriers to reaching goods and services (the second Justice 

barrier-removal priority) included the following: 

l There were not enough signs with raised print or Braille, thus making it 

difficult for persons who are visually impaired to locate rooms on their 

OWlI. 

9 Hotels lacked enough assistive devices for the deaf; for example, devices 

allowing them to know that someone is knocking at the door or calling on 

the phone, that a smoke or fire alarm is ringing, or that the alarm clock is 

ringing. This restricts the extent to which persons with hearing 

impairments can fully use the services and features of hotel 

accommodations. 

Page 8 GAOIPEIKD-94-14 AD& Effects of the Law on Access 
B-246667 

l Hotel room showers or bathtubs, toilets, and sinks were not accessible for 

wheelchairs, thus impeding access for persons who use wheelchairs to the 

rest room provided as part of normal hotel accommodations.16 

Other barriers included the following: 

l Public telephones lacked text telephones (telecommunication devices for 

the deaf, TDDS, TRY). 

l Public telephones lacked amplification systems for the hearing impaired.16 

We also examin ed the individual features for which the most work still 

needed to be done as of our last assessment; in other words, those 

features that were frequently not consistent with the ADA Accessibility 

Guidelines or that people told us often created a barrier. Of those, most 

were also in the second highest Justice priority area. Figure 2 illustrates 

this distribution for items in our observation checklist and in our survey. 

The specific items are shown in the complete results in appendixes II and 

III. 

16We believe that, generally, persons with disabilities may choose to frequent facilities that are most 

accessible for them. Doing so is easier in their own community than it is out of town Because they 

almost always use hotels in a community other than their own, people would find it more difficult to 

select an accessible hotel out of town than to select an accessible local grocery store. For this reason, 

hotels may have received particularly high scores (indicating more barriers) from our survey 

respondents. 

‘Text telephones and amplification systems are auxiliary aids They are required only if the facility 

customarily offers telephone service to its customers on more than an incidental convenience basis 

and providing them does not create an undue burden (significant difficulty or expense). 

Page 9 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
B-246667 

Figure 2: Features That Were Often 

Barriers as of April 1993 70 Percard of Faaturas 

65 

60 

55 

50 

45 

40 

35 

30 

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

1: Entry 

Priority Category 

2: Acwaa to 

Goods and 

Services 

I Observations 

Survey 

3: Rsst Rooms 

Familiarity With ADA We found a notable increase in the level of awareness of the ADA by 

Requirements Increased owners and managers. (See figure 3.) Specifically, we found the following: 

l The percentage of owners and managers interviewed who reported that 

they were familiar with the ADA increased from 69 percent just before the 

law went into effect to 92 percent 15 months later. 

+ Of those owners and managers who were familiar with the ADA, the 

percentage who reported that they knew they had been expected to 

remove barriers before the effective date of January 26,1992, increased 

from 77 percent in January 1992 to 88 percent by April 1993. 

Page 10 GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADk Effecta of the Law on Access 
B-246667 

Figure 3: Owner and Manager 

Awareness of the Add Familiarity With the ADA 

100 Percent of Owners and Managers 

95 

65 

60 

Hw 10 

0 

Familiarity With Implementation Date 

100 

95 

90 

85 

80 

75 

70 

65 

50 

10 

0 

January 1892 August 1992 April 1993 

Data Collection PerioU 

“The level of knowledge about the impiementation date of the ADA slightly decreased since 

August 1992, perhaps because after the law was implemented and the immediate publicity about 

it was over, the exact date of its effectiveness became less relevant. 

These figures may slightly understate the degree of familiarity with the 

law. That is, there may have been officials very familiar with the ADA in the 

Page 11 GAOtPEMD-94-14ADA: Effects oftheLawonAccess 
B-246667 

business or government agency headquarters while the local managers we 

spoke with were less knowledgeable. 

Those who were familiar with the ADA received information about the law 

most frequently from their corporate headquarters and the media. Only 

10 percent reported receiving information directly from federal agencies in 

April 1993, the assessment period with the highest percentage receiving 

information from this source.17 Sixteen percent of the owners and 

managers interviewed in August 1992 and 19 percent of those interviewed 

in April 1993 reported being approached, unsolicited, by a vendor, 

contractor, architect, or similar person. (This question was not asked in 

January 1992.) 

Barrier-Removal Efforts 

Incomplete Despite 

Increase 

At our third assessment period in April 1993,45 percent of the facilities 

had yet to remove an architectural barrier and 50 percent had no plans to 

do so in the future. However, at that time, 15 months after the ADA went 

into effect, only one establishment was free of all barriers, Therefore, 

nearly all could have had such plans. We believe that many businesses may 

simply be waiting to remove barriers until someone complains. 

Nevertheless, the number of facilities in which an architectural barrier was 

removed increased from 29 percent just before the implementation of the i I 

ADA to 55 percent 15 months later. Of those establishments we visited 

where the owner or manager reported recently removing a barrier, the 

percentage who said they had done so because of the ADA increased from 1 

39 percent to 75 percent. Further, the percentage of owners and managers 

who reported any specific plans for future barrier removal at their facility . 

increased from 26 percent just before the law went into effect to I 

50 percent in April 1993. 

Figure 4 illustrates that most of this improvement occurred in the period 

immediately following the effective date of the law, between January and 

August 1992, with little additional improvement by April 1993. These 

findings, combined with a similarly initial sharp increase and then a 

leveling off or slight decline in familiarity with the ADA, may reflect the 

intensive educational efforts and media attention during the period when 

the law was first implemented. 

?his may understate the involvement of federal agencies in providing information about the ADA 

The owners and managers we spoke with may have been unaware that the sources they used had 

received federal funding to provide information or had developed their materials from information 

provided by federal agencies. Some federally funded resources for information about the ADA are 

listed in appendix IV. 

Pnge 12 GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADA: Effecta of the Law on Access 
B-246667 

Figure 4: Barrier-Removal Efforts 

Completed 

75 Percenl of Faciliiies 

70 

65 

60 

55 

50 

45 

40 

35 

30 

G 

0 

Comaleted Because of the ADA 

35 

30 

+ 

0 

Planned 

75 

70 

i 

10 

0 

January 1992 

Data Collection Period 

August 1992 April 3993 

Page 13 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access i 
B-246667 

Barrier-Removal Efforts In addition, of those who removed architecturaI barriers, the percentage 

Beneficial but Not Always who reported burdens related to such efforts decreased from 41 percent in 

Consistent With Standards January 1992 to 27 percent in April 1993, while the percentage who cited 

specific benefits-most often improved accessibihty, an increase in 

business, or improved customer satisfaction-increased from 75 percent 

to 87 percent. (See figure 5.) 

Associated With Barrier-Removal 

Efforts 90 Percent 

85 4- 

4-q 

30 ---- ----a-H 

75 

70 

65 

60 

55 

50 

45 

40 

35 

30 

25 

20 

m 

5 

0 

January 1992 August 1992 Aprll1993 

Data Collection Period 

- Burdens 

- II Benefits 

We found, however, that while the completed barrier-removal efforts were 

more consistent with the ADA Accessibility Guidelines than they had been, 

the proportion of unnecessary planned barrier-removal efforts had 

increased. 

. The percentage of the barriers removed after the ADA was passed that did 

not resuh in features consistent with the ADAAG decreased from 63 percent 

Page 14 GAOIFEMD-H-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Acceaa 
B-246667 

in January 1992 to 24 percent by April 1993.l* For example, an owner 

reported widening doorways, yet we observed that the doorways were still 

too narrow.19 

l The percentage of planned changes that were not necessary, since we 

judged those features to be already consistent with the ADAAG, increased 

from 28 percent in January 1992 to 35 percent in April 1993.2” 

the Americans W ith Disabilities Act, changing the lives of persons with 

disabilities by increasing their access to goods and services. Nevertheless, 

while accessibility for persons with disabilities is steadily improving, there 

remains a need for continuing educational outreach and technical 

assistance for businesses and government agencies covered by the ADA and 

therefore the continued attention of a watchful Congress. 

First, we found important barriers remaining. Second, we found that half 

of the businesses and government facilities we visited had yet to remove 

any barrier and half had no specitk plans to do so in the future. Finally, we 

also found that many of the barrier-removal efforts that were being 

planned did not appear to be accompanied by adequate guidance. Despite 

the availability of information and guidance from the Department of 

Justice and Regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance 

Centers, it is difficult for businesses to get complete assurance that they 

are in compliance with the ADA. This leads to their continuing uncertainty 

about how-and especially, how much-to comply with the act. 

This final conclusion echoes recent concerns of the National Council on 

Disability that the demand for technical assistance is exceeding the 

resources of federal or local govemments2’ It is also consistent with 

another fkling from that same report and others that businesses and 

‘Bathe number of situations for which this consistency was examined was 54 for January 1992,146 for 

August 1992, and 115 for April 1993. 

IsThe facility thus lacked full accessibility according to the guidelines. Note, however, that lack of 

inform&on on the standards is not the only possible interpretation. The facility may have done as 

much as necessary to comply with the law if the nature of the facility made it virtually impossible to 

comply fully with accessibility standards. 

a?he number of situations for which thii consistency was examined was 39 for January 1992,57 for 

August 1992, and 3’7 for April 1993. 

Z’National Council on Disability, ADA Watch-Year One: Report to the President and the Congress on 

Progress in Implementing the Americans With Disabilities Act (Washington, D.C.: April 1993). 

Pmze 16 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
B-246667 

government facilities lack the certainty that they desire, with respect to 

compliance under the ADA.~~ 

Agency Comments Responsible officials of the Department of Justice, the Architectural and 

Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, and organizations we had 

consulted in doing our work provided comments on a draft of this report, 

which have been incorporated in the text where appropriate. 

As agreed with your office, unless you publicly announce the contents of 

this report earlier, we plan no further distribution of it until 30 days from 

its date of issue. We will then send copies to interested parties and to 

others upon request. If you have any questions or would like additional 

information, please call me at (202) 512-2900 or Robert L. York, Director of 

Program Evaluation in Human Services Areas, at (202) 512-5885. Major 

contributors to this report are listed in appendix V. 

Sincerely yours, 

Eleanor Chelimsky 

Assistant Comptroller General 

%ndrew I. Batavia, ‘Implementation of ADA Title III: Progress Toward a Fully Accessible Nation,” 

Milbank Project on ADA Implementation, Miibank Memorial Fund. In press. 

Page 16 GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Page 17 GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Contents 

Letter 

Appendix I 

Scope and 

Methodology 

Appendix II 

Observational 

Findings 

Appendix III 

Survey Findings 

1 

20 

28 

72 

Appendix IV 84 

Federally Funded 

Resources 

Appendix V 86 

Major Contributors to 

This Report 

Tables Table 1: Important Barriers Remaining in April 1993 by Priority 8 

Category 

Table I. 1: Characteristics of Establishments Observed 

Table 1.2: Number of Responses Across Membership 

Organizations 

24 

27 

Table 1.3: Characteristics of Persons With DisabiLities Surveyed 27 

Figures Figure 1: Accessibility of Facilities 

Figure 2: Features That Were Often Barriers as of April 1993 

Figure 3: Owner and Manager Awareness of the ADA 

Figure 4: Barrier-Removal Efforts 

Figure 5: Burdens and Benefits Associated With Barrier-Removal 

Efforts 

6 

10 

11 

13 

14 

Page 1% GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Contents 

Abbreviations 

ADA Americans With Disabilities Act 

ADAAG ADA Accessibility Guidelines 

ANSI American National Standards Institute 

WAS Uniform Facilities Accessibility Standards 

Page 19 GAOiITMD-94-14 ADA: ElTects of the Law on Access 
Appendix I 

Scope and Methodology 

In designing our study, we focused on the extent to which businesses and 

government agencies met the accessibility standards outlined in the 

Americans With Disabilities Act, rather than on strict legal compliance.’ 

The possible burden of making changes in businesses was reflected in the 

law, which recognized that removing architectural barriers can be a 

cumbersome and expensive proposition. If removal of an architectural or 

communications barrier is not “readily achievable” (defined in the law as 

“easily accomplishable and able to be carried out without much difficulty 

or expense”), the law allows goods, services, and facilities to be made 

available through alternative methods that are readily achievable.2 

Government agencies must operate their programs and services so that 

when viewed in their entirety, they are readily accessible and usable by 

individuals with disabilities.3 Further, barriers can be removed in stages in 

existing facilities, while different rules apply to newly constructed 

facilities. 

The flexibility in the law regarding “readily achievable” standards and the 

alterations provisions allow a business to be in technical compliance with 

the ADA and yet not be accessible to persons with disabilities.4 

Therefore, rather than try to determine compliance with the ADA, our study 

focused on the extent to which places of public services and public 

accommodation met the accessibility guidelines for buildings and facilities 

as outlined in the ADA regulations. 

To answer our four study questions, we used three kinds of data collected 

at three different times (January 1992, August 1992, and April 1993). We 

made Crsthand observations of accessibility in businesses and government 

agencies; we interviewed owners and managers of these establishments; 

and we asked persons with disabilities about their experiences in trying to 

access similar facilities. 

‘Businesses and government facilities may not necessarhy be required to meet the ADAAG to be in 

compliance with the ADA 

‘For example, if a storefront does not have sufficient room for the installation of a ramp or Iii, the 

business may instead install an accessible buzzer so that curbside service may be offered. 

30ur work, however, focused only on the physical accessibility of government facilities. 

%rsinesses sre required to remove barriers if readily achievable. However, the Department of Justice 

recognizes the continuing obligation of barrier removal, that is, barrier-removal efforts can be phased 

in over several years. Thus, a person with a disability may not be able to independently access the 

company’s goods and services for a number of years. 

Page 20 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA: ElTects of the Law on Access 
Appendix I 

Scope and Methodology 

Observational 

Assessment 

A Our method included identifying which types of establishments to visit, 

deciding the cities in which we should conduct our visits, and developing 

an accessibility checklist. 1 

‘J&pes of Establishments 

Observed 

Title III of the ADA applies to 12 broad categories of “places of public I 

accommodation,” with many specific types under each category.6 Because 

we did not have the resources to assess examples of all types of public 

accommodations, we asked persons with disabilities to list the types of 

places in which they most often found barriers. For this purpose, we 

assembled discussion groups of persons with different types of disabilities , 

in three cities. We also asked each person in these discussion groups to z 

select the two types of establishments where they would like to see 

barriers removed first. We selected as those we would visit, the eight types 

of establishments most frequently mentioned (clothing stores, department 

stores, grocery stores, shopping malls, theaters, restaurants, hotels, and 

government buildings).6 

Geographic Areas Visited To identify the geographic areas in which to conduct our observations, we 

turned to research that has attempted to rate the stringency of existing 

state laws protecting persons with disabilities. To determine if there was a 

change in accessibility (the ultimate goal of our work), we wanted to 

obtain baseline data from those communities that were thought to have 

the most barriers before the implementation of the ADA. We found no 

research comparing the actual accessibility of various communities. Using 

state laws as a proxy is less than perfect, but we considered them the best 

indicator available. (The absence of state laws protecting persons with 

disalihties does not guarantee there will be barriers.) 

SThe ADA includes many specific businesses in it8 definition of public accommodations: hotels, 

motels, inns, or places of lodging; restaurants, bars, or other establishments serving food or drink, 

movie theaters, concert halls, stadiums, or other places of exhibition or entertainment; auditoriums, 

convention centers, lecture halls, or other places of public gathering; bakeries, grocery stores, clothing 

stores, shopping centers, or other sales or rental establishments; banks, doctors’ offices, lawyers’ and 

accountants’ offices, laundromats, dry cleaners, barber shops, beauty shops, travel services, shoe 

repair services, funeral parlors, gas stations, pharmaci es, insurance offices, hospitals, or other service 

establiihments; terminal, depot, or other station used for specified public transportation; museum, 

library, gallery, or other place of public display or collection; park, zoo, amusement park, or other 

place of recreation; school or other place of education; day care center, homeless shelter, food bank, 

adoption agency, or other social service center establishment; gymnasium, health spa, bowling alley, 

golf course, or other place of exercise or recreation. 

6During our initial assessment period, we also conducted observations in three airports, another 

frequently mentioned place of barriers to accessibility. We judged the three airports to be too small a t 

set of observations to report separately, but we did include the airport obsemtions in aggregate 

analySW. 

Page 21 GAO/PEW-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix I 

Scope and Methodology I 

We drew on a study that identified those states with the least protective I 

laws on discrimination against persons with disabil.ities.7 The authors t 

rated state laws on six dimensions: the population covered by employment ! 

protection laws, the proportion of employers regulated by these laws, the 8 

comprehensiveness of the definition used to define disability, the 

proportion of buildings covered by architectural accessibility provisions, ! 

the extent of protections offered in public accommodations, and the 

extent of protections offered in housing. States received total scores 

ranging from 5.08 (most protective) to -9.61 (least protective). 

We selected for our work the three GAO regions with the most low-scoring 

states, producing a list of 11 states. Five selected states had scores in the 

negative numbers, three were in the bottom half of the list but had positive 

scores, and three were at the bottom of the top half of states. We then 

selected one city to visit per state, using two criteria First, we tried to 

identify older communities, because we expected barriers to be most 

prevalent there. Second, we selected cities that were large enough to have 

a number of businesses or government agencies of the types to be 

observed. From all these steps, our final sample included 11 cities in three 

different geographic areas: Southeast (Atlanta, Ga; Tallahassee, Fla; 

Birmingham, Ala; and Memphis, Tenn.), Rocky Mountains (Denver, Colo.; 

Cheyenne, Wyo.; and Salt Lake City, Utah), and New England (Boston, 

Mass.; Portland, Me., Burlington, Vt., and Providence, R.I.). 

Observation Checklist To construct a data collection instrument to assess a facility’s 

accessibility, we turned to a number of sources. ‘First, we examined an 

instrument previously used in a similar assessment of federally funded 

public buildings.8 Second, we examined the prior federal standards for 

accessibility from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the 

Uniform Facilities Accessibility Standards (UFAS), and the ADA Accessibility 

Guidelines9 

‘TM. Holbrook and S.L. Percy, “Exploring Variations in State Laws Providing Protections for Persons 

With Disabfities,” Western Political Quarterly, 46 (1992), pp. 29I320. 

%3. General Accounting Office, F’urther Action Needed to Make All Public Buildings Accessible to the 

Physically Handicapped, GAORPCD-7&K% (Washington, D.C.: July 1975). 

the UFAS standards are based on minimum guidelines developed by the Architectural and 

Transportation Barriers Compliance Board and were adopted, in consultation with the Secretary of 

Health and Human Services, by all four standard-setting agencies (Gene& Services Administration, 

Housing and Urban Development, Postal Service, and Defense) under the Architectural Barrier Act of 

1968 (P.L. 9040). 

Page 22 GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix I 

Scope and Methodology 

The ADAAG sets guidelines for accessibility in new construction and 

alteration of covered businesses and government agencies. These 

guidelines therefore focus mostly on aspects of a facility that could 

present physical or communication barriers. We also reviewed 

accessibility checklists developed by private consulting firms. Our 

accessibility checklist is reproduced in appendix II. 

Lwal Sampling and Site 

Visit Procedures 

We identified the universe of entities to be sampled from the yellow pages 

and government sections of the local telephone books in each of the 11 

cities, We focused our work only on those businesses for which title III 

had provided civil penalties in the first 6 months after January 26,1992; 

that is, businesses with more than 25 employees or gross receipts in 

excess of $1 million. We believed that most such businesses would be 

listed in the directories, and we had no reason to believe that any 

systematic bias would be introduced by the exclusion of those not so 

listed. 

For each assessment period, we randomly selected four examples of each 

type of establishment to visit. During our second and third assessments, 

we eliminated from consideration any facility that we had previously 

visited. In the case of some businesses (such as grocery stores, hotels, 

clothing stores, and restaurants), we arranged our selection method to 

ensure that we visited examples of both naiional chains and local or 

regional outlets, which we expected to differ in the amount of resources 

available to devote to learning about and responding to the requirements 

of the ADA. 

We contacted the managers or owners of all selected establishments, 

described the purpose of our visit (and promised confidentiality), and 

scheduled an appointment for the visit. (In the initial contact, we made 

sure the business was large enough to meet our eligibility requirements.) 

Participation was voluntary, but the refusal rate was low. We have no 

reason to suspect a bias stemming from differences between those who 

allowed our visit and those who did not We completed as many of these 

visits as was possible in our l-month observation interval during each 

assessment period. 

Interviews of Owners At the same time we observed a facility, we also interviewed the manager 

and Managers or owner about his or her knowledge about the ADA, the nature and costs 

of barrier-removal efforts that the facility had recently made, the burdens 

Page 23 GAWPEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix I 

Scope and MethodoIogy 

and benefits resulting kom the removal of architectural barriers, plans for 

further barrier removal, and any assistance provided to the public in areas 

that are not fully accessible.1° Including the interview, our site visits lasted 

from 1 to 3 hours. 

We completed a total of 23 1 observational assessments and interviews in 

January 1992,322 in August 1992, and 276 in April 1993. Table 1.1 describes 

three categories of characteristics of the facilities we visited. 

Table 1.1: Characteristics of 

Establishments Observed Number 

Category Characteristic 

January 

1992 

August 

1992 

April 

1993 

Type of facility Restaurant 37 44 42 

Shopping mall 36 35 11 

Grocery store 35 43 45 

State and local 

aovernment office 

34 40 44 

Hotel 33 42 38 

Clothing store 21 32 38 

Theater 18 40 18 

Department store 14 46 40 

Airport 3 0 0 

Nature of National chain 71 128 88 

establishment 

Local or regional 153 194 174 

Unknown 7 0 14 

City Atlanta, Ga. 15 34 32 

Tallahassee, Fla. 23 27 24 

Birmingham, Ala. 25 30 26 

Memphis, Tenn. 28 3t 23 

Denver, Cola. 24 35 32 

Cheyenne, Wyo. 25 27 f4 

Salt Lake City 27 28 29 

Boston, Mass. 16 30 31 

Portland, Me. 20 26 22 

Burlington, Vt. 17 27 17 

Providence, RI. 11 27 26 

“‘We present no findings on the costs of barrier removal because few of those interviewed were able to 

report the actual costs of compieted barrier-removal efforts. 

Page 24 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix I 

Scope and Methodology 

Survey of Persons 

With Disabilities 

Finally, we also surveyed persons with disabilities. Our survey instrument, 

presented in appendix III, asked about both potential barriers that are 

observable and those that are not. Thus we drew many survey items from 

barriers we looked for in our observations, but we also included a number 

of items that persons with disabilities had mentioned to us as creating 

barriers, especially those that are not readily observable. For example, we 

asked respondents if they had ever been refused service (such as a blind 

person with a guide dog being refused entry to a restaurant). 

In deciding which individuals to survey, we focused our attention on 

persons most likely to encounter the variety of barriers commonly found 

in places of public service and public accommodation. The majority of 

these barriers are architectural, thus, we focused on persons with such 

disabilities as spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, 

blindness, low vision, deafness, and hearing impairments. While this list 

certainly does not include all types of disabilities, it covers many of the 

larger groups of persons with disabilities who encounter barriers to 

access.ll 

We could find no comprehensive listing of persons with disabilities to use 

in drawing a sample for our survey; as a substitute, we used national 

organizations’ mailing list~.‘~ Most of the organizations had agreements of 

confidentiality with their members and therefore could not provide us 

with the names and addresses of those selected. However, each agreed to 

randomly select names, to make copies of mailing labels, and to keep a 

record of these names (since we needed to follow up with individuals if 

they did not respond and we also planned two later surveys of these same 

individuals). For those organizations that could not release the names, we 

provided pre-stuffed, sealed, and stamped envelopes containing the 

questionnaires, and they applied the mailing labels. We followed the same 

procedures for those organizations that allowed us to conduct the mailing 

directly. 

Where necessary, we sent a follow-up mailing 3 weeks after the first 

mailing and a follow-up postcard 2 weeks after the second. We recorded a 

reading of the text of the survey on audio tape and sent a cassette in 

“Ass&ant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Department of Health and Human Services, Task I: 

Population Profiles of Disability (Washington, DC.: October 1989). MP. LaPlate, Data on Di&6- 

from the National Health Interview Survey, 1983-1986, An Info Use Report (Washington, D.C.: National 

Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 1988). 

‘we recognize that individuals who are on such mailing lists may not be representative of all persons 

with disabilities. 

Page 25 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix I 

Scope and Methodology 

addition to the printed survey to individuals contacted through the 

American Council for the Blind.13 

By coding each questionnaire to indicate the organization through which 

an individuzd was selected, we could track responses and also be 

contident that the mailings were completed. We could not, however, 

ensure that the names were selected randomly. 

In early January 1992, we mailed questionnaires to 2,262 individuals with t 

disabilities, randomly selected from the membership and mailing lists of i 

relevant disability-specific organizations.14 We received 1,596 responses, 

for a response rate of 71 percent. However, 403 of these were not valid for 

several reasons: the individual did not have a disability, had moved and 

could not be located, was unable to complete the survey (either because of ! 

age or the severity of disabiLity), was housebound and therefore did not 

use public services or accommodations, was deceased, or responded 

indicating a lack of interest in participating, Subtracting those numbers 

from the original sample, we recalculated the response rate to be 

64 percent. In August 1992, we mailed 1,772 questionnaires and received 

1,086 responses, for a response rate of 61 percent. After eliminating invalid 

cases, our recalculated response rate was 55 percent. In April 1993, we ? 1 mailed 1,672 questionnaires and received 909 responses for a response 

rate of 54 percent. After eliminating invalid cases, our recalculated 

response rate was 49 percent.16 

The number of responses for each membership organization is presented 

in table 1.2 and the characteristics of the respondents with valid 

questionnaires are listed in table 1.3. 

%ll individuals were invited to respond to the survey by audiotape, in Braille, or by writing on 

separate pages if necessary 

l”We selected individuals from the following organizations (the number of individuals selected follows 

in parentheses): paralyzed Veterans of America (ZOO), American Paralysis Association (ZOO), NationaI 

Spinal Cord Injury Association (20), National Multiple Sclerosis Society (400), United Cerebral palsy 

Associions (471), American Council for the Blind (300), National Association of the Deaf (ZOO), 

National Fraternal Society for the Deaf (91), and Deafpride (ZOO). 

16We have no reason to believe that there is any systematic bias introduced by differences between 

respondents and nonrespondents. First, the pattern of response rates across the members of the 

different organizations is similar at all three assessment periods, as shown in table 1.2. Second, as 

illustrated in table 1.3, there are no differences based on employment status, gender, or age of the 

respondents at the three assessment periods. Finally, most of the feedback we received from 

respondents st the third assessment period suggests that some felt overly burdened Specifically, many 

reported thst they had already responded on more than one occasion and could not respond again. 

Page 26 GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 

/ 
Appendix I 

Scope and Methodology 

I 

e 

Table 1.2: Number of Responses Across Membership Organizations [ 

Januarv 1992 Aunust 1992 April 1993 1 

Organization 

National Spinal Cord 

Injury Association 

American Paralysis 

Association 

Paralyzed Veterans 

nf Amwica 

e 

Number Percent of 

valid adjusted sample 

150 84 

136 74 

135 77 

Number Percent of Number Percent of 

valid adjusted sample valid adjusted sample 

116 68 112 65 

a9 50 a 

102 60 aa 55 

United Cerebral 254 57 172 40 134 32 

Palsy Associations 

National Multiple 174 62 124 56 132 57 

Sclerosis Society 

American Council 

for the Blind 

National Association 

of the Deaf 

1 

122 61 99 61 78 56 

L 

86 74 a4 66 

1 

112 95 

National Fraternal 

Society for the Deaf 

Deaforide 

65 84 57 75 50 71 I 

45 34 a 48 28 

BOwing to staffing problems, the organization was unable to complete the mailing during this 

assessment period. 

Table 1.3: Characteristics of Persons 

With Disabilities Surveyed Percent 

January August April 

Category Characteristic 1992 1992 1993 

Employment Not employed 57 59 58 

status 

Employed part-time 14 13 13 

Employed full-time 29 28 29 

Gender Male 57 58 57 s 

Female 43 42 43 

Age Under 20 1 1 0 

From 20 to under 30 12 11 7 

From 30 to under 40 23 22 19 

From 40 to under 50 26 25 29 

From 50 to under 60 18 19 21 

Over 60 19 22 25 i 

Page 27 

I 

GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix II 

Observational Findings 

All response frequencies are reported in percentages, rounded to the 

nearest whole number. These numbers represent the percentage of 

facilities for which the feature was observed to be consistent with the ADA 

Accessibility Guidelines. 

Tl, T2, and T3 represent time 1 (January 199+2), time 2 (August 1992), and 

time 3 (April 1993) results, respectively. Blanks indicate that data were not 

available for that assessment period. The figures noted in our observation 

checklist refer to those in the ADAAG. 

Page 28 GAO/PEBi.D-94-14 ADA: Effecta of the Law on Accem 
Appendix II 

Observational Findings 

1 

Survey Form 1: PARRING 

Facility Name 

Total Parkinu in Lot Required Ninimum Number of 

1. 

2. 

3. 

9. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

- 

I AcEessible Spaces 

1 to 25 1 

26 to 50 2 

51to 75 

76 to 100 4" 

101 to 150 5 

151 to 200 

201 to 300 i 

301 to 400 s 

401 to 500 9 

501 to 1000 2 percent of total 

1001 and over 20 plus I for each 100 over 1000 

Are the required number of designated 

parking Bpaces provided7 (Rote: The 

total number of designated parking 

spaces may be distributed among parking 

lots if greater accessibility is achieved.) Tl 36 TZ 4% T3A 

Are accessible parking spaces the closest 

spaces to the building's accessible 

entrance? Tl 14 T2 77 T3x 

Are accessible parking spaces at leaet 96 

inches wide with a demarcated adjacent 

access aisle of 60 inches7 (Two spaces 

may share a common aisle.) Tl 19 T2 32 T3 4-3 

Does the access aisle connect directly 

to the accessible route? Tl 88 TZ 66 T3 84 

Are the spaces and aisles level with no 

slope greater than 1:502 (This means a 

curb ramp cannot project into the 

access aisle.) Tl 71 T2 83 T3 89 

Are 1 out of 8 spacea, but not less than 1, 

designated as "van accessible"? Tl 1 T2 7 T3 12 

If the parking space is designated as 

a van space, is the adjacent aisle at 

least 96 inches wide? Tl 25 T2 25 T3 73 

Do parking epacee designated ae van spaces 

Page 29 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix II 

Observational FIndinga 

2 

have a vertical clearance of at least 132 

inches? Tl- T3 43 T3 96 

9. Does aach accessible parking space have a 

vertical sign that is unobscured by a parked 

vehicle and shows the universal symbol of 

accessibility? Tl 30 T2 39 T3 59 

10. Are the required number of fully accessible 

parking space% provided? (Note: The 

total number of accessible parking 

spaces may be distributed among parking 

lots if greater accessibility is achieved.) Tl 8 T2 12 T3 16 

Page39 GAOREm-94-14ADA:EiPeeta oftheLawonAccesa 
Appendix11 

Observational Findings 

3 

Survey Form 2: PATHWAYS (GETTING INTG THE FACILITY) 

Facility Name 

1. Is there an accessible route free 

of steps from accessible parking 

and passenger loading zones? 

2. Is there an accessible route free of 

steps from public streets and sidewalks? 

3. If the accessible route is not the only 

ontrance fnto the facility, is there a 

sign indicating the location of the 

accessible route? 

Design of Route: 

4. IS the accessible pathway at least 36 

inches wide? (Pathways may have occasional 

instances of 32 inches wide.) 

5. If the pathway is less than 60 inches 

wide, are there passing spaces at least 

60 inches wide and 60 inches long at 

reasonable intervals not exceeding 

200 feet? 

Protruding Objects: 

6. Is there at least 80 inches 

clear head room along the 

pathway? 

7. If head room is less than 80 inches In a 

space next to an accessible pathway, is 

there a cane detectable barrier within 27 

inches of the ground? 

a. If objects mounted to the wall have 

bottom edges between 27 and 80 inches 

from the floor, do they project less 

than 4 inches into the pathway? (Wall 

mounted objects with bottom edges below 

27 inches may project any amount so long 

as they do not reduce the required clear 

width of an accessible route of travel.) 

- 

Tl 94 T2 95 '3'3 92 

Tl 90 T2 96 T3 68 

Tl 36 T2 38 T3 32 

Tl 99 T2 98 T3 96 

Tl 90 T3 89 T3qL 

Tl 99 T2 96 T398 

11% T2 47 T35f 

Tl 69 T2 48 T366 

Page31 GAOIPEMD-94-14ADA:Effe&softheLawonAccees 
Appendix11 

ObservationalFindings 

4 

9. If an object mounted on a past (such as a 

sign or a telephone) has a bottom edge 

between 27 and 80 inches from the ground, 

doea the object project less than 12 inches 

into the path of travel? Tl 54 T2 68 T3 86 

10. Is the accessible pathway at least 36 inches 

wida alongside the protruding object? Tl 94 T2 98 T3 96 

RaJnpB : 

11. Is the maximum slope less than 1:127 Tl- TZ 75 T3_9B 

12. Is the maximum rise for any run less than 

30 inches? Tl- T2 91 T3 90 

13. Is there a level landing at 

the top and bottom of each run? Tl 88 T2 81 13 94 

14. Is each landing at least as wide as the 

ramp and at least 60 inches long? Tl 79 T2 78 T391 

15. Where the ramp changes direction, is the 

landing at least 60 by 60 inches? Tl 57 T2 69 T375 

16. If a ramp or landing has a drop off, does it 

have a 2 inch curb,-a wall, railings or 

projecting surfaces which prevent people 

from falling off? 

16b. Are ramps designed so that water will not 

accumulate on walking surfaces? 

ualldrails: 

17. If the ramp rises more than 6 inches or 

is longer than 72 inches, does it have a 

handrail on each Bide? 

18. On dogleg or switchback ramps, is the 

inside handrail continuous? 

19. Is the gripping surface of the handrail 

COlltiIWOUB? 

20. Are handrails fixed so that they do not 

rotate within their fittings? 

21. Is the top of the handrail between 30 and 

34 inches above the rump surface? 

22. At ends of handrails, is there at least 

Tl 46 T2 62 T3 78 

Tl 95 T2 93 T397 

Tl 46 T2 42 T3 66 

Tl 77 T2 37 T3 62 

Tl 81 T2 70 T3 93 

Tl 98 T2 73 T3 100 

Tl- T2 44 T3 41 

Page32 GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADA:Effecta oftheLawon Access 
AppendixII 

ObservatIonaIFinding 

5 

12 inches of level handrail beyond the top 

and bottom of the ramp segment? Tl 23 T2 15 T3 21 

23. Are the ends of handrails rounded or 

returned smoothly to the floor, wall, 

or post? Tl 60 T2 57 TU!4- 

24. 1s the diameter of the handrail between 

l-1/4 inches and l-1/2 inches of does the 

ahape provide an equivalent gripping 

surface? Tl 37 T2 51 T3 72 

25. At wall mounted handrails, is there exactly 

l-112 inches between the handrail and the 

wall? Tl 6 T214 T3 46 

Surface : 

26. Are accessible pathway surfaces stable, 

firm and slip-reelstant? Tl 96 T2 90 T3 97 

Slope of Route: 

27. Is the slope of the accessible pathway 

no greater than I:207 

28. If there ie a cross elope of acceeslble 

pathway, ie it not easily detectable? 

29. Are changes in level between l/4 and 

l/2 inch beveled? 

30. Are change8 in level greater 

than l/2 inch ramped? 

CurbRamps: 

Tl 83 T2 82 T3 76 

Tl 63 T2 75 T384 

Tl 72 T2 61 T3 77 

Tl 73 T2 73 T3 75 

31. Is there a curb ramp wherever an 

accessible pathway meets a curb? Tl 91 T2 90 T3 89 

32. A.re curb rampa located or 

protected so that they will not 

be obstructed by parked vehiclee? TlL T2 84 T3 82 

33. Are curb ramps at crosewalke 

wholly contained within the 

crosswalk lines, except 

for the flared sidee? Tl& T2 74 T3 63 

34. Is the slope of the curb ramp 

1:12 or less? TlL T2 69 T3 79 

Page33 GAO/PEMD-94-14ADAzEffectsoftheLawonAocess 
Appendix11 

Obsexvat&oua.lFindiuga 

6 

35. Is the transition from the curb ramp to 

the walkway, road or gutter fluah and 

free of abrupt changes? Tl 77 TZ 73 T3 86 

36. Is the width of the curb ramp, not 

including the flared sides, 

at least 36 inches? Tl 97 T2 q3 T3 99 

37. Do the flared sides of the curb ramp 

have a slope of 1:lO or less? Tl 37 T2 60 T3 71 

38. Are there detectable warnings at curb 

cuts entering hazardous vehicular areas? Tl 2 T2 14 T3 2 

39. Do detectable warnings consist of raised 

domes with a diameter of nominal 0.9, 

a height of nominal 0.2, and a center to 

center spacing of nominal 2.357 Tl 0 T2 0 T3 4 

Page34 GAO/PEMD-9414ADA:EffectaoftheLawonAccesa 
Appenti II 

OhservationaIFindinp 

7 

survey Form 3: STAIRS 

yacility Name 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

In any one flight do all the steps have 

uniform riser height and tread width? Tl 94 T2 95 T397 

Are the risers closed? T188 T286 T395 

Are the treads a minimum of 11 inches 

measured from nosing to nosing? Tl 95 T2 84 T3L 

If the nosinga do project, are the undereides 

beveled to prevent someone from tripping? Tl 58 T2 44 T373 

DO the noaings project no more than l-112 

inches? Tl 91 T2 86 T3 65 

Are outdoor atairs designed q o that water 

does not accumulate on walking surfaces? Tl 72 T2 76 T3 82 

Do stairways have continuous handrails at 

both sides of all steps? Tl 61 T2 62 T363 

On dogleg or switchback stairs, is the 

inside handrail continuous? T160 T264 T356 

At ends of handrails, is there at least 12 

inches of level handrail beyond the 

top riser? Tl 23 T2 23 T3 24 

At ends of handrails, ia there at least 

one tread width of sloping handrail beyond 

the bottom riser plus at least 12 inches of 

level handrail? Tl 8 T2 7 T3 10 

At wall mounted handraile, is there exactly 

l-1/2 inches between the handrail and the 

wall? Tl 27 T2 14 T3 39 

Is the gripping surface uninterrupted by 

newel posts or other obstructiona? Tl 79 TZ 85 T3 88 

Are the tops of handrails between 30 and 

34 inches above the noeings? Tl T2 55 T3 45 

Are the ends of handraila rounded or 

returned smoothly to the floor, wall or 

post? Tl 56 T2 70 T369 

Are handrails fixed ao that they do not 

rotate within their fittings? Tl 98 T2 95 T3 100 

Page36 GAO/PEMD-94-14ADA:EffectsoftheLaw on Access 
Appendix11 

ObservationalFindings 

16. Is the diameter of the handrail between 1-l/4 

incheli and l-1/2 inches ox provide an 

equivalent gripping eurface? Tl 39 T2 40 T3 47 

17. Kf there ie an acceaeible alternative pathway 

(such as a ramp or stairs), is its location 

indicated with a sign? Tl 13 T2 17 T3 18 

Page36 GAO/PEMD-94-14ADA:EffectsoftheLawonAcceea 
Appendix11 

ObservationalFindings 

9 

Survey Form 4: LIFTS 

Facility Name 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

Can the platform lift be used without 

assistance? Tl& T2 100 T316, 

Is there at least a 30 x 48 inch clesr space 

positioned for a person in a wheelchair to 

reach the controls and enter the lift? Tl 100 T2 100 T3& 

Is the lift platform at least 30 x 48 

inches? Tlx T2& T3 80 

If the clear apace allows fox a forward reach, 

is the height of the lift conttol 40 inches 

or less -OR- If the clear space allows for a 

side reach, is the height of the lift 

control 54 inches or less? Tl 100 T2 100 T3 100 

Are the controls operable with one hand? Tl 100 T3 100 T3 190 

Are they operable without tight grasping, 

pinching, or twisting of the wrist? Tl 100 T2 50 T3 100 

IS the surface on the lift and on the 

accessible route of travel to which it 

connects stable, firm and slip-resistant? Tl 50 T2 100 T3 loo 

If there is a change in level of between 

l/4 Inch and l/2 inch, is the edge beveled 

with a slope of 1:2 or less7 Tl 109 T2 100 T3 190 

Page37 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA:EffectsoftheLawonAccess 
Appendix11 

ObservationalFindings 

10 

Survey Form 5: ENTRANCES, DOORS AND GATES 

Facility Name 

1. If a revolving door or turnstile is used 

on an accessible route, is an accessible 

door or gate provided to facilitate the 

same use pattern? T17.1 T2 71 T386 

2. Does the doorway (or at least one active 

leaf) provide a 32 inch clear opening width? Tl 86 T282 T392 

3. If the door is not automatic or power 

assisted, does it have maneuvering space 

relative to the direction of approach as 

shown in Figure 251 Tla T2 89 T3 84 

4. Is the floor level and clear within 

the required maneuvering space? Tl 94 T2 91 T393 

Vestibules: 

5. If there are two doors in series, 

is the clear space between the walls 

at either end of the vestibule at 

least 48 inches plus the width 

of the door -OR- at least 48 

inches if the doors in the 

series swlng in either the sme direction 

or away from the space between them? Tl_gh T2 68 T3 94 

Thresholds: 

6. If there is a rained threshold, la 

it beveled at 1:2 or less? TlB2 T283 T392 

7. Is the threehold no higher than l/2 inch? 

(Exception: An exterior sliding door can 

have a 314 inch threahold.) TlL T2 81 T3 91 

Hardware: 

8. Are all handles, locks, and 

latches operable with one hand7 Tlx T2 99 T3 96 

9. Are they operable without tight pinching, 

tight grasping or twisting of the wrist? Tl 55 T2 87 T3 91 

Page 38 GAOIPEMD-94-14ADA: EffectaoftheLawonAccess 
Appendix I1 

Observational Findinga 

11 

10. Is the hardware mounted no higher than 4E 

inches above floor level? Tl 97 T2 97 T3 99 

11. If there are sliding doors, is the operating 

hardware exposed and usable from both sides 

when the doors are fully open? Tl 93 T2 100 T3 88 

Opening and Closing: 

12. Do doors open with little force? Tl_f2_ T2 48 T3 71 

13. If the door has a closer, does it take at 

least three seconds to move from 70 degrees 

open to e point 3 inches from the latch? Tl& T2 67 T3 87 

Entrance8 : 

16. la the accessible entrance to the building 

not a service entrance unless the only 

entrance to the buildfng is a service 

entrance? Tl& T2 98 T3 90 

17. Within the boundaries of the site, is 

the accessible entrance connected by an 

accessible route to existing public 

transportation stops, accessible parking 

and passenger loading zones, and to public 

Btreets or sidewalks? Tl 88 T2 95 T3& 

19. Is the accessible entrance connected by an 

accessible route to all accessible elements 

or spaces within the bulldlng or facility? Tl 87 T2 90 T3J&I.,.- 

Page39 GAO/PEicID-94-14ADk EffectsoftheLawonAccesm 
Appendix11 

Observat~onalFlndings 

12 

Survey Form 6: BUILDING INTERIORS (U)BBIES, CORRIDORS, ROOMS AND SPACES) 

Facility Nume 

Pgrem : 

1. Is the means of egress accessible7 Tl 83 !I!2 91 T3 90 

2. If only one means of egress in a multi-story 

building is accessible, are safe areas of 

refuge provided on each floor? Tl 74 T2 64 13 82 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

Is the accessible route at least 36 

inches wide except at doorways? 

Are doorways at least 32 inches 

in clear opening width? 

Where the accessible route makes a U-turn 

around an obstacle which is less than 40 

inches wide, does the pathway width 

increase to at least 42 inches on the 

approach and 48 inches in the turn? 

(Figure 7) 

If the accessible route is less than 

60 inches wide, are there passing 

spaces at least 60 inches wide and 

60 inches long within reasonable 

intervals not exceeding 200 feet? 

If objects mounted to the wall have 

bottom edges between 27 and 80 inches 

from the floor, do they project less than 

4 inches into the space? 

Do free standing objects mounted on posts 

with bottom edges between 27 and 80 inches 

high project less than 12 inches into the 

route of travel? 

Is there an accessible path of at least 36 

inches clear alongside the protruding 

object? 

In there at least 80 inches clear 

head room7 

Tl 92 T2 84 13 91 

Tl 89 T2 84 T3 91 

Tl 75 T2 78 T3 83 

Tl 75 T2 94 T3 90 

Tl 41 TP 49 T3 76 

Tl 56 7'2 69 T3 93 

Tl& T2 93 T3 94 

Tl 98 T2 92 T3 96 

Page40 GAO/PEMD-94-14ADA: EffectsoftheLawonAccess 
1 

Appendix11 

ObservationalFindin@ 

13 

11. If there 1% not at least 80 inches of 

clear head room, is the barrier within 

27 lnchee of the ground 80 that it is 

CaRe-dt3teCtabh? Tl 54 TZ 32 T3& 

12. Are changes of level greater than l/2 

inch treated with & ramp? Tl 89 T2 72 T3AL 

13. IS the slope of the route no greater than 

1:20 except at rampa? Tl 96 T2 97 TU&w 

14. If there is a cross Slope, Is it not 

ObViOU37 Tl 91 T2 88 T397 

15. Are the floor8 in all acceselble areas and 

routes stable, firm, and slip-resistant? Tl 84 T2 95 T3 95 

16. If carpet or carpet tile is used on the 

floor, ie it securely attached? Tl 94 T2 87 T373 

17. Is it a level, low pile type of carpet 

with a firm pad or no pad at all 

underneath it? Tl 100 T2 98 T3 99 

Signnge : 

18. On room signs, do the letters and numbers 

have a width to height ratio between 3:5 

and l:l? Tl 86 T283 T3 85 

19. Does the color of the characters and 

symbols contrast with the color of the 

background? Tl 86 T2 76 T3 89 

20. Do signs providing permanent identification 

of rooms and spaces have raised letters 

and Braille? Tl 15 T2 5 T3 18 

21. Are the characters and symbols on signs 

raiaed l/32 inch? Tl 20 T2 11 T327 

22. Are they mounted on the wall at the latch 

side of the door between 54 and 66 inches 

above the floor? Tl 11 T2 7 T3 15 

23. Are the raised characters or symbols 

between 5/8 inch and 2 inches tall? Tl 53 T2 20 T3 60 

Page41 GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADA:EffectsoftheL&wonAccess 
Appendix II 

ObservationalFindings 

14 

Seating, Tables and Work Surfacea: 

24. Do these seating apace6 which are provided 

for people in wheelchairs have a 30 x 48 

inch clear space which overlaps an 

accessible route7 

25. Is no more than 19 inches of the 

30 x 48 inch clear space measured under 

the table? (Figure 45) 

26. Is the knee space at least 27 inches high, 

30 inches wide, and 19 inches deep? 

(Figure 45)? 

27. Ia the top of the table or work surface 

between 28 and 34 inches from the floor? 

28. Are the aisles between tables at least 36 

inches wide? 

29 * Do 59 (but not less than one) of the 

built-in or fixed seating tables and work 

eurfacee meet the above requirements? 

Controls: 

30. tie light switches, thermostatic controls, 

electrical receptacles and similar devices 

between 15 and 54 inches from the floor when 

the clear floor space allows a parallel 

approach -OR- are they between 15 and 48 

inches when the clear floor space allows 

only a forward approach? 

Interior Ramps: 

31. Is the maximum slope less than 1:X?? 

31b. Is the maximum rise for any run less than 

30 inches? 

32. Is there a level landing at 

the top and bottom of each run? 

33. Is each landing at least aa wide a6 the 

rump and at least 60 inches long? 

34. Where the ramp changes direction, is the 

landing at least 60 by 60 inches? 

Tl 90 T2 92 T3PO 

Tl 93 T2 96 T3 93 

Tl 36 T2 32 T3 51 

Tl 95 T2 90 T3 84 

Tl 89 TP 66 T3 80 

Tl 42 T2 31 T3 52 

Tl 62 T2 81 T3 84 

Tl- T2 68 T3A 

Tl- T2 74 T3 86 

Tl 100 T2 93 T3L 

Tl 77 T2 87 T3 93 

Tl 60 T2 60 T3 86 

Page42 GAO/PEMD-94-14ADk Effects oftheLaw onAccess 
Appendix II 

Observational Findinga 

15 

35. If u rumD or landino has u drop off, does it 

huve u I-inch curb,-a wall, railing8 or 

projecting surfaces which prevent people 

from fulling off? FL 100 T2 77 T3 100 

Handrails: 

37. 

38. 

39. 

40. 

41. 

42. 

43. 

44. 

45. 

If the ramp rises more than 6 inches or 

Is longer than 72 inches, does it have a 

handrail on each side? 

On dogleg or switchback ramps, is the 

inside handrail continuous? 

Is the gripping surface of the handraL1 

continuous? 

Are handrails fixed so that they do not 

rotate within their fittings? 

Is the top of the handrail between 30 and 

34 inches above the ramp surface? 

At ends of handrails, is there at least 

12 inches of level handrail beyond the top 

and bottom of the ramp aegment? 

Are the ends of handrails rounded or 

returned smoothly to the floor, wall, 

or post? 

Is the diameter of the handrail between 

l-1/4 inches and l-1/2 inches of doea the 

shape provide an equivalent gripping 

surface? 

At wall mounted handraila, la there exactly 

l-1/2 inches between the handrail and the 

wall? 

Tl 54 T2 28 T352 

Tl 100 T2 25 T3 75 

Tl 80 T2 52 T3BB 

Tl 80 T2 54 T31pp 

Tl 30 T2 35 T367. 

Till T2l4 T3L 

Tl 67 T2 45 T377 

T144 T224 T341 

TlL T219 T3 43 

Page 43 GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
AppexuiixII 

ObservationalFindings 

16 

Survey Form 7: ELEVATDRS 

Facility Name 

Hallway Call Buttons: 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

Are the hallway caL1 buttons centered 

at 42 inches above the floor? 

Are the call buttons at least 314 

inches in the smallest dimension? 

Do they have visual aignale to indicate 

when each call is registered and answered? 

Is the button designating the up 

direction above the down button? 

If there is an object below the buttons, 

does ft project no more than 4 inches fnto 

the elevator lobby? 

Is there a visible and audible signal at 

each hoistway entrance to indicate which 

car Ls answering a call? 

Do audible signals sound once for up and 

twice for down, or do they have verbal 

annunciators that say "up" or "down"? 

Are the visual signals mounted at least 

72 inches above the floor? 

Are they at least 2-l/2 inches in 

the smallest dimension7 

Tl 45 T2 44 'P3 46 

Tl 100 T2 100 T3 97 

Tl& T2 92 T3 93 

Tl 90 T2 95 T3 97 

Tl 48 12 21 T3 35 

Tl 54 T2 59 T3 41 

Tl 46 T2 50 T3a 

Tl 82 T2 64 T3 72 

Tl 54 T2 59 T3 64 

Door Jamb and Threshold: 

10. Does each elevator holstway entrance have a 

raised and Braille floor designation on each 

door -Jamb centered 60 inches from the floor? Tl 37 Tf 36 T3 45 

11. Are the numbers 2 inches in helghtl Tl 69 T2 48 T378 

12. Do the numbers on the floor 

designation sign have a wldth-to-height 

ratio between 3:s and 1:1? Tl 58 T2 61 13 84 

13. Does the color of the numbers contrast 

with the color of the background? Tl 78 T2 59 T3 73 

Page44 GAO/PEMJMM-14ADk EtTectsoftheLswonAccess 
Appendix11 

ObservationalFindings 

17 

14. Are the numbers raised at least l/32 of 

an Lnch? Tl 76 T2 64 T3 86 

Doors : 

15. Do the elevator doore open and close 

automatically? Tl 100 TZ 100 TJ 97 

16. Do they re-open automatically without 

contact Lf they become obstructed? T114 T260 .T374 

17. Is the time from when the elevator's arrival 

is signaled until the doors begin to close 

at least 5 seconds? 

18. Do the elevators doors remain fully 

open for a minimuln of 3 seconds? 

Elevator Floor: 

19. Does the floor area of the car allow 

maneuvering room for wheelchair users 

to enter the car, reach the controls, 

and exit? (Figure 22) 

20. Are the floors in and adjacent to the 

elevator stable, firm, and slip-resistant? 

Elevator Control Panels: 

21. Are the control buttons at least 314 

inches in their smallest dimensions? 

22. Are the controls designated by raised 

characters or symbols at least l/32 of 

an inch high placed immediately to the 

left of the buttons? 

23. Do the signs have a width-height ratio 

between 3:s and 1:lP 

24. Does the color of the numbers contrast 

with the color of the background? 

25. Ie the button for the main entry floor 

designated by a rained star? 

Tl& T2 86 7'3 99 

Tl 96 X299 T3 99 

11 81 T2 70 T3_82, 

Tl 95 T2 100 T3 97 

Tl 100 TZJQQ T3 97 

Tl& T2 47 T357 

Tl 81 T2 90 T3 95 

Tl 90 T2 85 T3 78 

Tl 40 T2 48 T3 38 

26. Do the floor buttons have visual indications 

to show when each call is registered? Tl 93 T2 93 T3B9 

Page& 
Appendix11 

Oheervational Findings 

29. Are the controls placed so that no control 

ie mounted higher than 40 inches from 

the floor? Tl 64 T2 72 T3 69 

30. Is there a visual car position indicator 

above the car control panel or over the 

door to indicate the floor level? Tl 84 T2 86 T3 78 

31. Do the numerals illuminate and does an 

audible signal sound as the car passes 

or stops at a floor? Tl 53 T2 49 T3 42 

32. Are the numerals at least l/Z inch high? Tl 98 T2 92 T3 97 

Wergency Cormmunicatione : 

33. 

34. 

35. 

36. 

37. 

38. 

Is there an emergency two-way 

communication syetem between the 

elevator and a point outalde the hoiBtway? Tl 75 T2 67 T3 76 

Xa the communication system identified by a 

raised symbol or lettering7 Tl 53 T2 52 T3 55 

Is the highest operable part of a two-way 

communication system 48 inches above the 

floor or less? Tl& T2 73 T3 61 

If the system uses a handset, is the 

length of the cord from the panel to 

the handset at Least 29 inches? Tl 78 T2 55 T3 77 

If the system is in a closed compartment, 

is the hardware on the compartment door 

operable with one hand, and does its 

operation not require tight grasping, 

pinching, or twisting of the wrist7 

Is the emergency intercommunication 

usable without voice communication7 

Tl 30 T2 39 T3 53 

Tl 30 T2 15 T3 66 

27. Are the emergency buttons grouped at the 

bottom of the panel with centerlines no 

less than 35 inches above the floor? T161 T26'; T369 

26. Are the controls located on thB front wall 

if center doors -OR- front or side wall next 

to the door if Bide-opening doors? Tl 99 T2 99 T3 100 

Page 46 GAO/PEMD-94-14 MA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix11 

ObBervationalFindin@ 

19 

Survey Fo~lll 9: TOILET ROOMS 

Facility Name 

1. Are the toilet rooms located on an 

accessible routB7 

2. If not the only toilet room, ie the 

location of the accessible toilet room 

indicated with a sign? 

Doors to Toilet Room: 

Tl 89 T292 T342_ 

Tl 51 T2 55 .T3(7 

3. Does no door swing into a required clear 

floor space at an accessible fixture? T1_81, T2 76 T3_kF 

4. Does the doorway (or at least one active 

leaf) provide a 32 inch clear opening width? Tl 79 T2L T378 

5. If the door ia not automatic or power 

aeeisted, does it have maneuvering apace 

relative to the direction of approach BB 

shown in Figure 257 Tl 68 T2 55 T3-1p, 

6. Is the floor level and clear within 

the required maneuvering space? Tl 98 T2 98 T39B 

7. If there are two doors in seriea, 

is the clear space between the walks 

at either end of the vestibule at 

least 48 inches plus the width 

of the door -OR- at leaet 49 

inches if the doors in the 

series swing in either the same direction 

or away from the space between them? Tl 69 T2.A T368 

8. If there is a raised threshold, is 

it beveled at 1:2 or lees? Tl 73 TZ 76 T3L 

9. IB the threshold no higher than l/2 inch? 

(Exception: k%n exterior sliding door can 

have a 314 inch threshold.] Tl 84 T2 87 T3 96 

10. Are all handles, locks, and 

latches operable with one hand? Tl 93 T293 T3& 

11. Are they operable without tight pinching, 

tight graaping or twisting of the wrist? Tl 42 T2'10 T3 74 

12. Is the hardware mounted no higher than 

48 inches above floor level? Tl 98 T2 98 T3~96 

Page47 GAOmEMD-94-14ADA:EfPectsoftheLawonAccess 
Appendix11 

ObservationalFindings 

20 

13. Do doors open with little force? Tl 57 T3 65 T3 78 

14. If the door has a closer, does it take at 

least three seconda to move from 70 degrees 

open to a point 3 inches from the latch? Tl 40 T2 56 T3 'II 

All Toilet Rooms: 

14b. Is there an unobstructed turning apace 

(a 60 inch diameter circle or T-shaped 

space) in the toilet room? Tl- T2 69 T3a 

15. Ia the centerline of the toilet 18 inches from 

a wall or partition which Is prepared for the 

installation of a grab bar? T138 T235 T341 

16. Is the top of the toilet seat between 17 and 

19 inches from the floor? Tl 40 T2 41 T3L 

17. 1% the seat a type that does not automatically 

apring back to an open position? Tl 9E T299 T397 

18. Are the grab bars mounted horizontally 

between 33 and 36 inches above the floor? Tl 45 T2 44 T3 46 

19. 18 the diameter of the grab bar between 

l-l/Q inch and l-112 inch or does the shape 

provide an equivalent surface? Tl 92 T2 78 T3 92 

20. Is the space between the grab bar and the 

wall exactly l-1/2 inches? Tl 44 T2 29 T3 56 

21. Are the grab bars secured so that they do 

not rotate within their fittings7 Tl 93 T2 83 T3 9B 

22. Is the grab bar and the wall adjacent to 

it free of any sharp or abrasive elements? Tl 85 T2 79 T3 99 

23. Are the grab bars mounted on the wide 

side of the toilet area? Tl 65 T2 45 T3 51 

24. Are flush controls automatic or operable 

with one hand without excessive force? Tl 97 T2 98 T3 99 

25. Are the flush controls operable without tight 

grasping, pLnchlng or twisting of the wrist? Tl 99 T2 99 T3 100 

26. Ate the flush controls operable without much 

pressure? Tl 97 T2 93 T3 99 

Page48 GAOIPEMD-94-14ADA: Effectsof theLawonAcceas 
Appendix11 

ObservationalFIndinga 

21 

27. Is the paper dispenser mounted no more 

than 36 inches from the back wall and at 

least 19 inches from the floor? Tl 78 T2 74 T3 78 

28. Does the paper dispenaer not obstruct 

use of the grab bar? Tl 79 T2 88 T3 88 

29. Does the dispenser allow continuous paper 

delivery? Tl 97 T2 92 T3 99 

Toilet Rooms : 

30. If the toilet is not located In a stall, 

does the clear floor space and room 

arrangement conform to Figure 291 Tl 58 T2 53 T3 64 

31. If the toilet is not located in a atall, 

is the back grab bar at least 36 inches long 

with one end mounted at least 12 inches from 

the centerline of the toilet -AND- a side bar 

at least 42 inches long with the front end 

54 inches from the back wall? (Fig. 29) Tl 7 T2 7 T3 7 

Doors to Toilet Stalls: 

32. Does no door swing into a required clear 

floor apace at an accessible fixture? Tl 76 T2 69 T3 61 

33. When the stall door Is open 90 degrees, 

is there a clear opening of at least 32 

inches measured between the face of the 

door and the edge of the partition on 

the latch side? Tl 52 T2 51 T3 67 

34. Are all handles, locks, and 

latches operable with one hand? Tl 93 T2 94 T3& 

35. Are they operable without tight pinching, 

tight grasping or twisting of the wrist? Tl 55 T2 80 T3 77 

36. Is the hardware mounted no higher than 48 

inchee above floor level? Tl 99 T2 99 T3 99 

37. Do doors open with little force? Tl 100 T2 97 T3 99 

Acces6ible Toilet Stalls: 

38. Does the size and arrangement of the 

accessible toilet stalls comply with 

the standard stall shown in Figure 30(a)? 

(Arrangements may be reversed.) Tl 10 T2 19 T3 18 

Page 49 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA: EfPects of the Law on Access 
Appendix11 

ObeiervationalFindinga 

22 

39. Is the stall at leaet 60 inChSB wide? Tl 14 T2 24 T3 25 

40. If the toilet ie wall mounted, ia the stall 

at least $6 inches deep -OR- if the toilet ia 

a floor mounted model, ie the stall at least 

59 inches deep? Tl 73 T2 74 T3 75 

41. Ie the stall door located at the "open" 

side of the toilet? Tl 55 T2 B9 T3 88 

42.. If the stall il 1eBB than 60 inches deep, 

doea the front partition and at least one 

Bide partition have toe clearancea of St 

least 9 inChSB above the floor? Tl 85 TZ 80 T3 92 

43. If the stall door ewings into the stall, 

is there at least 36 inches additional 

depth in the Btall? (Pigure 30 (a-l)) TI 29 T2 38 T3 32 

44. If the stall door swings out and the 

approach is from the latch aide, is the 

aisle approaching the eta11 at least 42 

inch wide -OR- if the stall door swings out 

and the approach is from the hinge side, 

in the aisle approaching the stall at least 

48 inch wide? Tl 81 T2 82 T3 85 

4s. If the stall door opens out at the end of 

an aisle, IB there at least 18 inches of 

maneuvering space at the latch side of 

the stall door? 

47. Are the grab bars placed as shown in 

Figure 30a, a-l, c or d? 

Urinals: 

Tl 65 T2 71 T3 91 

Tl 18 T2 26 T3 32 

48. DOeB the urinal have an elongated rim no 

more than 17 inches above the floor? Tl 16 T2 23 T3 20 

49. Ia there a clear floor space 30 by 48 

inches which allows a forward approach 

to the urinal? Tl 79 T2 85 T3 86 

50. Does the clear floor apace adjoin or 

Overlap an accessible route? Tl 83 T2 84 T3x 

51. If urinal shields are provided, do they 

allow a minimum of 29 inches between the 

two panela and not extend beyond 

the front edge of the urinal rim? Tl 6 T2 20 T3 26 

Page60 GAOIPEMD-94-14ADA:EffectaoftheLawonAccesa 
Appendix II 

ObservationalFindings 

23 

52. Are the flush controls automatic or operable 

with one hand without tight grasping, 

pinching, or twisting of the wrist? Tl 97 T2 97 T3 99 

53. Are the controls mounted no more than 44 

inches above the floor? Tl 36 TZ 28 T3 34 

54. There urinals are provided, does at least 

one meet the above requiremente? Tl 8 T2 7 T3x 

Lavatory: 

55. 

56. 

57. 

58. 

59. 

60. 

61. 

62. 

63. 

64. 

65. 

66. 

Is the lavatory rim or counter surface no 

higher than 34 inches above the finished 

floor? Tl 90 T2 86 T3 86 

Is there a clearance of at least 29 inches 

from the floor to the bottom of the apron? Tl 35 T2 58 T3 53 

Do the toe and knee clearances comply with 

Figure 31? Tl 32 T2 49 T3 63 

IB there a clear floor apace at 1SaBt 30 

by 48 inches in front of the lavatory 

allowing a forward approach? Tl 86 T2 85 T3 86 

Is not more than 19 inches of this clear 

floor space mSSBurSd underneath the 

lavatory7 Tl& T2 93 T3 82 

Does the clear floor space adjoin or overlap 

an accessible route? T185 T286 T391 

Are the controls which operate the faucet 

within 24 inches from the front of the 

lavatory? Tl 100 T2 98 T3 100 

Are hot water pipes and drain pipes insulated 

or otherwise covered? Tl 14 T2 36 T3 44 

Is the area below the lavatory free of sharp 

or abrasive surfaces? Tl 66 T2 76 T3 96 

Can the faucet be operated with one hand 

without tight grasping, pinching, or 

twisting of the wrist7 Tl 50 T2 67 T3 69 

If the valve is self closing, does it remain 

open for at least 10 seconds? Tl 40 T2 58 T3 62 

Does at least one lavatory meet the 

above requirements? Tl 2 T216 T321 

Page61 GAOflEMD-94-14ADAzEffecteoftheLaw onAccess 
Appendix11 

ObservationalFindings 

24 

Mirrors : 

67. Doea at least one mirror have a bottom edge 

of the reflecting surface no higher than 40 

Inches from the floor? Ti 32 T2 49 T3 60 

68. Is at least one mirror slanted to provide 

for viewing from a wheelchair? Tl 7 TZ 6 T3 11 

Dispensers: 

69. Is there a 30 x 48 inch clear space which 

allows either a forward or a parallel 

approach to the dispensers? (Reaching over 

a sink 24 inches from a forward approach 

is acceptable) Tl 82 T2 60 T3 69 

70. If a forward approach ie provided, is the 

highest operable part no higher than 

46 inches or if a aide approach is provided, 

is the highest operable part no higher than 

54 inches7 Tl 73 T2 61 T3 66 

71. Can the dispenser be operated with one hand 

without any tight grasping, pinching, or 

twisting of the wrist? Tl 76 TZ 95 T3 B8 

72. Is at least one of each dispenser type 

accessible and on an accessible route? TL 54 T2 56 T3 67 

Medicine Cabinet: 

73. If medicine cabinets are provided, doea at 

least one have a usable shelf no higher than 

44 inches from the floor7 Tl 0 T2 0 T3 0 

74. If medicine cabinets are provided, can it 

be opened with one hand without tight 

grasping, pinching or twisting of 

the wrist? Tl- T2 67 T3 Q 

Page 62 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
AppemlixII 

Observational Findings 

25 

Survey Form 9: DRINXING FOUNTAINS 

Facility Name 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

If the unit is free-standing or built 

in and does not have s clear space 

underneath it, does it have a clear floor 

space alongside It at least 30 by 48 

inches which allowa & wheelchair user to 

make a parallel approach7 Tl 87 T2 89 T3 93 

If the unit is wall or post mounted, is 

there a clear knee space between the 

bottom of the apron and the ground 

which is at least 27 inches high, 30 

inches wide and 17 inches deep? 'I1 23 T2 30 T3 51 

Is the spout outlet no higher than 36 inches 

from the ground? Tl 51 T2 66 T3 56 

Is the spout at the front of the unit, with a 

water flow parallel or nearly parallel to 

the front edge? Tl 69 T2 84 T3 81 

Is the water stream at leaet 4 inches hiqh to .a allow the ineertion of a cup under 

the stream? 

Are the controls located near the 

front edge? 

Are the controls operable with one hand? 

Are the controls operable without tight 

grasping, pinching, or twisting of 

the wrist? 

Are the controls operable without much 

force? 

Do at least 50% (but not leas than one) 

of the drinking fountains meet the above 

requirements? 

'I'1 79 T2 78 T3 88 

Tl 83 T2 97 T3 94 

Tl 99 T2 99 T3 99 

Tl 94 T2 96 T3 96 

Tl 75 T2 69 T3 86 

TL 16 12 32 T337 

Page53 GAO/PEMD-94-14ADkEffectsoftheLawonAccess 
Appendix11 

ObservationaiFindinge 

Survey Form 10: TELEPHONES 

Telephone Location 

26 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

Does the accessible phone have a 30 by 

46 inch clear ground space that allows 

either a forward or parallel approach by 

a person using a wheelchair? Tl 91 T2 91 T3 92 

If the clear ground space allows only a 

forward approach, then is the highest 

operable part of the phone no more than 

48 inches from the ground -OR- if the clear 

ground space allows only a side approach, 

then is the highest operable part no more 

than 54 inches from the ground? Tl 45 T2 38 T3 49 

If there are telephone books, are they 

also within these reach ranges? Tl 96 T2 96 T396 

Is the accessible phone location indicated 

by a sign If not in the main bank of 

phones? 'l'l 26 T2 5 T3 22 

Is volume control provided on 

the telephone7 Tl 16 F2 14 T3 23 

Does the telephone have push button 

controls unless such service ia 

unavailable? Tl 97 TZ 99 T3 98 

Is the cord from the telephone to the 

handset at least 29 inches long? Tl& T2 59 'I'3 63 

Is there a TTY (either permanent or 

portable, provided by the facility]? TlJ T2 9 T3 21 

Is the TTY indicated by a sfgn? Tl 11 T2 1 T3 12 

If there is one phone or one bank of phones 

(with two or more phones) on each floor, does 

at least one phone meet the requirements 

for wheelchair accessibility -OR- If there 

are two or mare banks of phones on each 

floor, does at least one phone per bank 

meet these requirements? Tl 12 T2 21 T3 26 

Page64 GAOiPEMD-94-14 ADA Effects of the Lsw on Access 
Appendix II 

Observational Findings 

11. If there are four or more phones (interior 

and exterior) and at least one is interior, 

is there at least one telephone equipped 

for or with a TTY (as in #8 above) -OR- if 

in a stadium, arena, convention center, hotel 

with a convention center, or covered mall, 

is at least one phone so equipped? Tl 

12. If the interior bank has three or more phones, 

at least one equipped with a shelf with 

a 6 inch verticle clearance and an outlet, and 

the ability to place the handset flush on the 

surface of the shelf? Tl 

27 

If TGXL WX!m 

21 T2 33 T3 33 

Page66 
AppendixI 

Observational Findings 

28 

Survey Form 11: ASSRMBLY ROOMS 

Faci llty Name 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

a. 

9. 

10. 

Capacity Seating bbmber of Required 

Wheelchair Locations 

4 to 25 1 

26 to 50 2 

51 to 300 3 

301 to 500 4 

over 500 6, plus 1 additional space to each 

increase of 100 

Is the requlred number of wheelchair 

locations in assembly spaces provided? Tl 63 T2 61 '73 89 

IS the space for 2 wheelchairs 66 inches wide? 

(Please note: There is no requirement that 

wheelchair apaces must be paired.) Tl 95 TZ 66 T3 91 

If people must wheel into the space from 

the side, are the spaces at least 60 

inches- deep? T179 T261 T392 

If people can wheel into the space from 

in front or behind the space, are the 

spaces 46 inches deep? Tl 93 T2 83 T3 100 

Is the wheelchair seating spacing an 

integral part of the seating plan? Tl 54 T2 62 T3 57 

Is the wheelchair distributed across a range 

of seating prices and lines of sight? Tl 67 l'2 76 T3 79 

Is there a companion seat provided next to 

the wheelchair seating spaces? Tl 83 T2 91 T3 92 

Is the wheelchair seating dispersed throughout 

the seating area? (Exception: Accessible 

viewing positions may be clustered for 

bleachers, balconies, and other areas 

having sight lines which require slopes 

greater than 59.) Tl 68 T2 73 T3 71 

Do they adjoin an accessible route that also 

serves as a means of egress in an emergency? Tl 90 T2 88 T3 100 

Are the sightlines free these seating areas 

comparable to those for all viewing areas7 Tl 82 T2 91 T3 89 

Page66 GAOIPEMD-94-14 AD& Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendi 

ObservationalFindings 

29 

11. Is there an accessible route connecting 

wheelchair seating locations and performance 

areas including stages, arena floors, 

dressing rooms, locker rooms, and other 

spaces used by performers? Tl 71 TZ 68 T3 73 

12. Do these seats have a complete view of 

the stage or playing area? Tl 96 T2 96 T3 100 

Audio Amplification: 

13. If the assembly area has an audio-amplification 

system, la there a listening system for 

persons with severe hearing loss? l'l 20 T2 19 T3 61 

14. If the area is used primarily as meeting or 

conference space or has no amplification 

system, is there a permanently installed 

or portable listening system? Ti 8 T2 19 T3 44 

15. If the listening system serves individual 

fixed seats, are these seats located within 

a 50 foot viewing distance of the stage 

or playing area? Tlx T2 0 T3 100 

Page67 GAO/PEMD-94-14ADA: EfPectsoP theLawon Access 
Appendix II 

Observational Findings 

30 

Survey Form 12: HOTKLS 

Facility Name 

Number of Rooms Number of Rooms with 

Accessible Rooms Roll-in shower 

1to 25 

26 to 50 

51 to 75 

76 to 100 

101 to 150 

151 to 200 

ZDl to 300 

301 to 400 

401 to 500 

501 to 1,000 

over 1,000 

: 

3 1 

4 1 

5 

f 

: 

3 

8 4 

9 4 plus 1 for each 

100 over 400 

2% of total 

20 plus 1 for 

each 100 over 1,000 

Number of Rooms Numberof Rooms with Accessible Elements 

(visual alarms, notification 

devices, and telephones) 

1to 25 

26 to 50 

51 to 75 

76 to 100 

101 to 150 

151 to 200 

201 to 300 

301 to 400 

401 to 500 

501 to 1,000 

over 1,000 

L 

4’ 

2 

i 

9 

2% of total 

20 plus 1 for each 100 over 1,000 

Rooms : 

1. Does the number of sleeping rooms accessible 

for wheelchairs comply with the first table 

above? Tl 6 T2 19 T3 16 

2. Does the number of sleeping rooms accessible 

for persons with hearing impairments comply 

with the second table above? Tl 9 T2 5 T3 19 

Page 58 GAOiPEMD-94-i4 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix II 

Observational Findinga 

2a. 

2b. 

2c. 

2d. 

Se. 

2f. 

29. 

2h. 

21. 

21. 

If the door is not automatic or power 

assisted, does it have maneuvering q pace 

relative to the direction of approach as 

shown in Figure 257 

Is the floor level and clear within 

the required maneuvering apace? 

If there is a raised threshold, is 

it beveled at 1:2 or less? 

Is the threshold no higher than l/2 Inch? 

(Exception: An exterior sliding door can 

have a 3/4 inch threshold.) 

Are all handles, locks, and 

latches operable with one hand? 

Are they operable without tight pinching, 

tlght grasping or twisting of the wrist? 

Is the hardware mounted no higher than 48 

inches ahove floor level? 

Tl- T269 I'386 

Tl- T2 97 T3 100 

Tl- T2 43 T373 

TL-- T2 61 T3 73 

Tl- T286 T379 

Tl- T2 49 T3 56 

Tl- T2 89 T3 97 

If there are sliding doors, is the operating 

hardware exposed and ueable from both sides 

when the doors are fully open? Tl- T2 100 T3 50 

Do doors open with little force? Tl- T2 94 T3 97 

If the door has a closer, does it take at 

least three seconds to move from 70 degrees 

open to a point 3 inches from the latch? Tl- T2 69 T3 93 

31 

Hotel Room Doors: 

Page59 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix11 

ObservationalFindinga 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

9. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

Ia the accessible route at least 36 

inches wide except at doorways? 

Are doorways at least 32 inches 

in clear opening width? 

Where the accessible route makes a U-turn 

around an obstacle which is less than 48 

inches wide, does the pathway width 

increase to at least 42 inches on the 

approach and 48 inches in the turn? 

(Figure 7) 

If the accessible route is less than 

60 inches wide, are there passing 

space8 at least 60 inches wide and 

60 inches long within reasonable 

Intervals not exceeding 200 feet? 

If objects mounted to the wall have 

bottom edges between 27 and 80 inches 

from the floor, do they project less than 

4 inches into the space7 

Do free-standing objects mounted on posts 

with bottom edges between 27 and 80 inches 

high project less than 12 inches into the 

route of travel? 

I6 there an accessible path of at least 36 

inches clear alongside the protruding 

object? 

Is there at least 80 inches clear 

head room? 

If there is not at least 80 inches of 

clear head room, is the barrier within 

27 inches of the ground 50 that it is 

cane-detectable? 

Are changes of level greater than l/2 

inch treated with a ramp? 

Is the slope of the route no greater than 

1:2D except at rafflps? 

If there is a cross slope, la it not 

obvious? 

Are the floors in all accessible areas and 

routes stable, firm, and slip-resistant? 

32 

Tlql T2 63 T3 92 

TlJQQ- T2 76 T3 82 

Tl 100 T2 54 TSTl 199 T2 100 T3 100 

Tl 100 T2 50 T3 75 

Tl 0 T2 56 T3 100 

Tl 86 T2 100 T3 88 

Tl 100 TZ 92 T3 100 

Tl- T2 67 T3 

Tl 0 T2 63 T3 75 

Tlx T2 100 T3 100 

TI 100 T2 80 T3 100 

Tl 100 T2 100 T3 100 

Page60 GAOIPEMD-94-14ADA:Effeec&oftheLawonAccess 
Appendix II 

ObservationaIFindinga 

33 

16. If carpet or carpet tile is used on the 

floor, is it securely attached? Tl_bse TZ 100 T3 97 

17. Is it a level, low pile type of carpet 

with a firm pad or no pad at all 

underneath it? Tl ,95 l’2x '23 97 

18. Are light switches, thermostatic controle, 

electrical receptacles and similar devices 

between 15 and 54 inches from the floor when 

the clear floor apace allows a parallel 

approach -OR- are they between 15 and 48 

inches when the clear floor space allows 

only a forvard approach7 Tl- Tl_hl T3 68 

Storage 

19. Is there a clear floor space 30 by 4S 

inches at storage facilities which allow 

for either a aide or forward approach? Tl 97 T2 85 T385 

20. If a side approach is provided, la the 

storage space between 9 and 54 inches from 

the floor -OR- if a front approach is 

provided, is the storage space between 

15 and 48 inches from the floor? Tl_Be T2 46 T3 32 

21. Are clothes rods a maximum of 54 inches 

from the floor -OR- if the distance to 

the rod or shelf exceeds 10 inches (doors 

not accessible), the helght is does not 

exceed 46 inches? Tl JO T2 26 T3 29 

Daora to Toilet Room: 

32. Does no door awing into a requfred clear 

floor space at an acceaslble fixture? Tl 72 T2 78 T3 68 

23. Does the doorway (or at least one active - -. leaf) provide a 32 inch clear opening width? Tl 71 T2 60 T3 63 

24. If the door Is not automatic or power 

assisted, does it have maneuvering space 

relative to the direction of approach as 

shown in Figure 257 Tl 77 T2 55 T3 73 

25. Es the floor level and clear within 

the required maneuvering space? Tl 100 T2 100 T3 100 

Page61 GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADA: EfBcts of the Law on Access 
Appendix11 

ObservationalFindings 

34 

26. If there are two doors in series, 

is the clear space between the walls 

at either end of the vestibule at 

least 48 inches plus the width 

of the door -OR- at least 48 

inches if the doors in the 

eerie8 swing in either the same direction 

or away from the space between them? Tl- T2 0 T3 0 

27. If there is a raised threshold, is 

it beveled at 1:2 or lese? Tl 78 T2 76 TJ 90 

28. Is the threshold no higher than l/2 inch? 

(Exception: An extcrlor sliding door can 

have a 314 inch threshold.) Tl 94 T2 07 T3 97 

29. Are all handles, locks, and 

latches operable with one hand7 Tl 93 T2 85 T3 82 

30. Are they operable without tight pinching, 

tight grasping or twisting of the wrist? Tl 59 T2 39 T3 53 

31. Is the hardware mounted no higher than 

48 inches above floor level? Tl 100 T2 93 T3J,QQ 

32. Do doors open with little force7 Tl 96 T2 98 T3 91 

33. If the door has a closer, does it take at 

least three seconds to move from 70 degrees 

open to a point 3 inches from the latch7 Tl 100 T2 100 T3 100 

Toilet: 

34. Es the centerline of the toilet 18 inches from 

a wall or partltion which Is prepared for the 

installation of a grab bar? Tl 33 T2 33 T3 48 

35. Is the top of the toilet seat between 17 and 

19 inches from the floor? 5'1 52 'J!2 27 T3 54 

36. Is the eeat a type that does not automatically 

spring back to an open position? Tl 96 T2 90 T3 100 

37. Are the grab bars mounted horizontally 

between 33 and 36 inches above the floor? Tl 58 T2L T3 58 

38. Is the diameter of the grab bar between 

l-1/4 inch and l-1/2 inch or does the shape 

provide an equivalent surface? Tl 73 T2 68 Tf 91 

39. Is the space between the grab bar and the 

wall exactly l-1/2 inches? Tl 38 T2 22 T3 70 

Page 62 GAD/PEW%94-14MA: EffectsoftheLawonAccess L 
Appendix11 

ObservationalFinding 

40. 

41. 

42. 

43. 

44. 

45. 

46. 

47. 

40. 

49. 

so. 

35 

Are the grab bars secured 80 that they do 

not rotate within their fittinge? Tl 65 TZ 74 T3 100 

Is the grab bar and the wall adjacent to 

it free of any sharp or abrasive elements7 Tl 80 T2 74 T3 94 

Are the grab bars mounted on the wide 

side of the toilet area? Tl 70 T2 61 T3& 

Are flueh controls automatic or operable 

with one hand without excessive force7 Tl 100 T2 99 T3 190 

Are the flush controls operable without tight 

graeping, pinching or twisting of the wrist7 Tl 100 T2 100 T3 97 

Are the flush controls operable without much 

pressure7 Tl 100 T2 93 T3 97 

IEI the paper dispenser mounted no more 

than 36 inches from the back wall and at 

leaat 19 inches from the floor7 Tl 84 T2 85 T3 86 

Does the paper dispenser not obstruct 

u6e of the grab bar7 Tl 96 T2 89 T3s 

Does the dispenser allow continuous paper 

delivery? Tl 96 T2m T3J,QQIf the toilet is not located in a stall, 

doea the clear floor space and room 

arrangement conform to Figure 267 Tl 44 T2 55 T3 66 

Is the back grab bar at leaet 36 inches long 

with one end mounted at least 12 inches from 

the centerline of the toilet -AND- a side bar 

at leant 42 inches long with the front end 

54 inches from the back wall7 (Fig. 29) Tl 13 T2 0 T3 12 

Lavatory: 

51. Ie the lavatory rim or counter surface no 

higher than 34 inches above the finished 

floor7 Tl 85 T2 98 T3_89 

52. Is there a clearance of at least 29 inches 

from the floor to the bottom of the apron? Tl 31 T232 T3 54 

53. Do the sinks provide a knee clearance of 27 

inches high, 30 inches wide, and 19 

inches deep7 Tl& T2 34 T3 34 

54. Are sinks not more than 6 l/2 inches 

Page63 GAOffEMD-94-14ADA:EffectsoftheLawonAccess 
Appendix II 

ObservationalFindings 

55. 

56. 

57. 

58. 

59. 

60. 

61. 

62. 

36 

deep? Tl 76 T2 73 T3_ke 

Is there a clear floor space at least 30 

by 49 inches in front of the lavatory 

allowing a forward approach? Tl 81 T2 93 T3 89 

Is not more than 19 inches of this clear 

floor space measured underneath the 

lavatory? Tl 96 T298 13 91 

Does the clear floor apace adjoin or overlap 

an accessible route? Tl 100 T2 85 T3 94 

Are the controls which operate the faucet 

within 24 inches from the front of the 

lavatory? 'El= T2 100 T3 100 

Are hot water pipes and drain pipes insulated 

or otherwise covered7 Tl 23 T2 61 T3 34 

La the area below the lavatory free of sharp 

or abrasive surfaces7 Tl 50 T2 85 T3 91 

Can the faucet be operated with one hand 

without tight grasping, pinching, or 

twisting of the wrist7 Tl 73 T2 73 T3 63 

If the valve is self ClosLng, does it remain 

open for at least 10 seconds? Tl 100 T2 0 T3 50 

Mirrors: 

63. Does at least one mirror have a bottom edge 

of the reflecting surface no higher than 40 

inches from the floor? 

64. Is at least one mirror slanted to provide 

for viewing from a wheelchair? 

Dispensers: 

65. Is there a 30 x 48 inch clear space which 

allows either a forward or a parallel 

approach to the dispensers? (Reaching over 

a sink 24 inches from a forward approach 

is acceptable.) 

T185 

TlL 

T2 85 T3 97 

T2 3 T3 7 

T19Q T2L T353 

Page64 GAO/PEMD-94-14AD~Effectsof theLswonAccess 
Appendix II 

ObservationalFindings 

37 

66. If a forward approach is provided, is the 

higheet operable part no higher than 

48 inches or if a side approach is provided, 

is the highest operable part no higher than 

54 inches? Tl 83 12 19 T3 87 

67. Can the dispenser be operated with one hand 

without any tight grasping, pinching, or 

twisting of the wrist? Tl 73 12 97 T3 100 

Medicine CabFnet: 

68. If medicine cabinets are provided, does at 

least one have a usable shelf no higher than 

44 inches from the floor? Tl- T2 50 T3 

69. If medicine cabinets are provided, can ft 

be opened with one hand without tight 

grasping, pinching or twisting of 

the wrist? 

Bathtubs : 

70. 

71. 

72. 

73. 

74. 

75. 

76. 

77. 

Does the clear floor space which depends 

on the direction of approach comply with 

Figure 331 

Is an in-tub seat or a seat at the head 

of the tub provided7 

Is the seat mounted securely so that it 

will not slip during use? 

Are grab bare provided as shown in 

Figures 33 and 347 

Ie the diameter of the grab bar between 

l-1/4 inches and l-1/2 inches or does the 

shape provide for an equivalent gripping 

surface? 

Is the space between the grab bar and the 

wall exactly l-1/2 inch? 

Is the grab bar eecured so that it does 

not rotate within the fittings? 

Is the grab bar and wall adjacent to it 

free of any sharp or abrasive elements7 

Tl- T2- T3- 

Tl 59 T2 32 T3 53 

Tl 26 T2 24 T3L 

Tl 66 T2 21 T3 47 

Tl 40 T2 13 T3 35 

Tl 76 T2 66 T3 82 

Tl 50 T2 24 T356 

Tl 86 T2 04 T3 97 

Tl 86 TZ 84 T3 100 

Page65 GAO/PEMD-94-14ADA:Effectaof theLmwonAccess 
Appendix11 

Observational Findings 

38 

70. Can faucets and other controls be operated 

with one hand without any tfght grasplng, 

pinching, or twisting of the wrist? Tl 69 T2 40 T3 57 

79. Are they located within the area shown in 

Figure 341 T160 T237 T341 

80. Is there a shower spray unit with a hose 

at least 60 inches long? Tl 29 T2 29 T3 54 

El. Can the shower spray unit be both hand held 

and fixed to the wall? Tl 52 T2 45 T3 70 

82. If provided, are bathtub enclosures located 

80 that they do not obstruct the controls or 

transfer from a wheelchair onto the bathtub 

Beat? Tl 52 T2 91 T3 300 

83. If the enclosure is mounted on the bathtub, 

is there no track mounted on the rim? Tl 67 T2 67 T3 

Showers: 

84. Is there a transfer type shower? Tl- T2 15 T3J 

85. Is there a roll-in shower? Tl- T2 5 T36 

86. Does the shower stall aize and clear floor 

space comply with either Figure 35(a) for a 

transfer type shower or 35(b) for a roll-in 

ehower? TlAT2 4 T333 

Transfer Type Shower as shown in Figure 35(a): 

07. If the ehower stall ie the type shown in 

Figure 35(a), is it exactly 36 x 36 Inches? Tl T2 0 T3 50 

88. Is there a clear floor space 36 x 48 inchee 

outside the stall with 12 inches extending 

beyond the seat wall? (Flg.35[a)) 'PI- T2 17 13 100 

89. Is there a seat mounted between 17 and 19 

inches from the floor? Tl- T2 14 T3 100 

90. Does the seat extend the full depth of the 

stall? 'PI- T2 50 T3 100 

91. Is the seat on the wall opposite the 

controls? Tl- T2 25 T3 100 

Page66 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA: EffectsoftheLawonAccess 
Appendix II 

Observational Findings 

92. Are grab bars provided along the control 

wall and half the back wall, but not 

behind the seat? 

93. If curbs are provided, are they no higher 

than l/2 inch? 

94. If provided, is a shower stall enclosure 

located so that it does not obstruct the 

controls or prohibit transfer from the 

wheelchair onto the shower seat? 

95. Are the controls located within the area 

shown in Figure 37(a)? 

96. Are grab bars provided as shown in 

Figure 37(a)? 

Roll-in TVpe Shower as shown in Figure 35(b): 

97. Is the roll-in shower at least 30 x 60 

inches as shown in Figure 35(b)? 

98. Is there a 36 x SO inch clear floor space 

alongside the shower as shown in 

Figure 35(b)7 

99. Does a grab bar extend around three sides 

as shown in Figure 35(b) and Figure 37(b)? 

100. Is there no curb at all in the roll-in 

shower? 

101. Are the controls located on the end wall 

within the area shown in Figure 37(b)? 

Both Types of Shower: 

102. Is the diameter of the grab bar between 

l-1/4 inch and l-1/2 inch or does the 

shape provide an equivalent gripping 

surface7 

103. Is the space between the grab bars and 

the wall exactly l-l/Z inches7 

104. Is the grab bar secured so that it does 

not rotate within the fittings? 

105. Is the grab bar and the wall adjacent to 

it free of any sharp or abrasive elements? 

39 

Tl- T2 13 T3 100 

Tl- T2 0 T3 100 

Tl- T2 60 T3 

Tl- T2 63 T3 

Tl- TZ 25 T3 

Tl- T2 0 T-3 

Tl- T2 50 T3 

Tl- T2 0 T3 

Tl- T2 50 T3 

Tl- T2 SO T3 

Tl- T2 57 T3 100 

Tl- TZ 43 T3 0 

Tl- T2 71 T3 100 

Tl- T2 71 T3.1pD 

Page67 GAOREMD-94-14ADk EffectsoftheLawonAccess 
AppendixIi 

ObservationalFindings 

40 

106. Can the controla be operated with one hand 

without tight grasping, pinching, or 

twisting of the wrist? Tl T2 29 T3 100 

107. Does the shower spray unit have a hose at 

least 60 inches long? Tl- PZ 29 T3 0 

108. Can the shower spray unit be both hand 

held and fixed to the wall? Tl- T2 29 T3 0 

Page68 GAO/PEMD-94-14ADA:EffectaoftheLawonAccess 
Appendix11 

ObservationalFindings 

41 

survey Porn 13: RESTAURANTS AND CAFETERIAS 

Facility Name 

1. Are all aisles between fixed tables at least 

36 inches wide except at doors? TI 79 T2 72 T3 90 

2. Where practical, are accessible tables 

distributed throughout the space facility? Tl 78 T2 85 T3 92 

3. Where there are mezzanine levels, loggias 

or raised platfonne, are the uame service 

and decorative character provided elsewhere 

in spaces located on accessible routes? Tl 78 TZ 64 T3 95 

Food Service Lines: 

4. Do food service lines have a clear width 

of 36 inches or more? Tl 83 TZ 92 T3 96 

5. Are tray alides no more than 34 inches 

above the floor? Tl 49 TZ 67 T3 57 

6. If self-service shelves are provided, are they 

no more than 54 inches above the floor? Tl 72 T2 87 T3 81 

7. If self-service shelves are provided, 

are items within 24 inches from the end of 

the counter? Tl 17 T2 97 T3 98 

Seating and Tables: 

8. Do seating spaces provided for people in 

wheelchairs have a 30 x 48 inch clear floor 

space whfch overlaps an accessible route? Tl BE T2 92 T3 94 

9. IS no more than 19 inches of the 30 x 40 inch 

clear apace measured under the table? 

(Figure 45) Tl 94 T2 92 T3 92 

10. Is the knee space at least 27 inches high, 

30 inches wide, and 19 inches deep? 

(Figure 45) Tl 48 T2 39 T3 57 

11. Is the top of the table between 28 and 34 

inches from the floor or ground? Tl 99 12 94 T3 100 

12. Do at least 5% of all fixed seats or tables 

(but not less than 1) meet the above 

requirements? Tl 41 T2 40 T3 55 

Page69 GAOREMD-94-14ADAzEffectsoftheLawonAccess 
Appendix II 

ObservationalFindings 

42 

13. Is there a 36 inch pathway to the accessible 

seating? Tl 91 T296 T3 94 

Vending Machines: 

14. IB there a 30 x 48 inch clear space at 

the vending machine which allows either a 

forward or a parallel approach? Tl 93 TZ 96 T3 93 

15. If a forward approach is provided, are the 

operating parte of the machine including the 

coin slots between 15 and 48 inches from the 

floor? Tl 28 T2 42 T3 66 

16. If a parallel approach is provided, are the 

operating parts of the machine including the 

coin slots between 9 and 54 inches from the 

floor? Tl 60 TZ 70 T3 74 

17. Are they operable with one hand? Tl 93 T2 99 T3 99 

18. Are they operable without tight grasping, 

pinching, or twisting of the wrist? Tl 44 T2& T3& 

Page70 
Appendix11 

OhBemationslFindings 

43 

Survey Form 14: RETAIL OR SERVXCB LOCATIONS 

Facility Naae 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

B. 

9. 

Number of Number 

Each Type Accessible 

1 to 4 1 

5 to 8 2 

9 to 15 3 

over 15 3 plus 209 of the total additional 

Do the number of accessible check-out 

aislea conform with the table above? 

(Each type might include regular versus 

express lanes.) Tl 67 T2 44 T3 50 

Are these accessible check-out aisles at 

leaet 36 inches wide with adjoining 

countera at a maximum height of 38 inches? Tl 46 T2 51 T3X 

Are service or distribution counter6 at 

least 36 inchert wide and no higher than 

36 inches? Tl 19 T2 16 T3 22 

If there is a preventive method for keeping 

shopping carts on the premises, does this 

allow the entrance and exit of persona in 

wheelchairs? (An alternate entry that is 

equally convenient is acceptable.) Tl 80 T2 85 T3& 

Are there dressing rooms designated as 

acceeaible? Tl 23 T2 35 T3L 

Doee the dressing room have a clear floor 

apace of 60 inches square? Tl 15 TZ 26 T3 16 

Are the benches in dressing rooms 24 

inches by 48 inches. mounted between 

17 and 19 inches high? 11 0 TZ- T3 6 

Do the doors on the dressing room meet 

all of the specifications for doors? Tl 24 T2 26 T3& 

Do the dressing rooms have mirrors at 

least 18 inches wide and 54 inches high 

and afford a view to a person on 

the bench or atanding? Tl 71 TZ 62 T3 68 

PIyre71 GAO/PEMD-94-14ADA:EffectaoftheLawonAcceas 
Appendix III 

Survey Findings 

The results presented are from part one of the survey instrument only. 

Scores are presented as means. A response of “seldom if ever” was given a 

score of 1, “sometimes,” 2, “often,” 3, “very often,- 4, and ‘always or almost 

always,” 5. Thus a higher score indicates more frequent encountering of 

the barrier. Time I, time 2, and tie 3 refer to January 1992, August 1992, 

and April 1993, respectively. 

The full survey in its original format can be found in our earlier report, 

Americans With Disabtities Act: Initial Accessibility Good But Important 

Barriers Remain (GAOIPEMD-9316; May 19, 1993). 

Page 72 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA: Effcta of the Law on Accem 
Appendix III 

Survey Findings 

United States Central Accounting Dike 

GAO Survey of Accessibility 

for Persons with Disabilities 

‘The U.S. Geneml Accounting Of&e (GAO), an agency 

of the U.S. Congress. is co&king a study of - 

mxa&iIity of public scrviccs snd public 

accommodations for persons with disabilities. Congress 

has asked GAO to learn more about accessibility to 

understand the impact of the Americans With Disabilities 

AU (ADA). ‘llx survey is limited to architectural. 

physical, and communication beers, as well as barriers 

that may be encountmd when assistance is required. It 

does ML however, include barriers associated with 

negative atdtades of persons you may e8xountc-r. 

Ttds questionnaire is being sent to persons with 

diiabllhies aruund the wtmtry. Your snswe.r5 are cntmy 

confidential. Your name snd individual respx~es v&l 

not be released to anyone. Your answers will be 

combined whh others to show the pattern of barks 

across the nation. We will ask you to complete this 

survey again later this year. 

You were picked at random from the mailing list of a 

natiooaI advocacy gmup for persons with disabilities. 

Sioce this is a scientitically designed sample, we must 

hoar firm nearly everyone we have contacted. This is not 

required, but WC arc asking for your help. Otherwise our 

findings will be limited. 

HOW TO COMPLETE THIS SURVEY 

A version of this survey is availabk on audio CasSetk If 

youquircacopy,plaasecallthephmcnumberlisted 

below. If you have difficulty &ecking the boxes or filling 

~~b~.~~faclfrectorccard~answerSona 

separate page (lnprlnt DC Braille) or on audio cassette, 

being sure to indicate sll question and item numbers (e.g. 

question 1 has 5 items). If none of these options m 

feasible, please call to Mange for a telephone interview. 

please return the conplated queationnaira witbin 10 

days of receipt If you have any questions. @case call 

Carolyn F&s. collect, at (202) 275-1864 (voice) or 

(202) 275-7U34 @DD). If the enclosed envc@e is 

misplaced, please aaxi your completed questionnaire to: 

Carolyn Feis 

U.S. General Accounting Office 

PEMD - Room 5729 

441 G Street. N.W. 

Washington, DC. 20546 

This survey should be completed by the person it was 

mailed ID because we believe this person has a disability 

affecting speech, hearing, vision, or mobility. If you do 

not fit this description, please indicate on the front page 

and return the survey with your name so we can avoid 

sending you future mailings. It should take 30 minutes to 

complete the qucstionnak Most questions can be 

answered quickly by checking the boxes or filling inthe 

blanks. 

Page 73 GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix III 

Survey Findings 

PART ONE: BARRIERS 

1. Chsidg the times you have used parking facihties of a public establishment in the pas1 6 months. How OftUL if 

al all, have you encounlered the following barriers? {Check one cohn per bam’er). 

January August April 

BARRIERS 1992 1992 1993 

1, There arc too few parking spaces designated for use by pexsons with disabilities. 2.93 2.85 2.74 

2. Ibe aisle Mxt to tie uarkine soaces is too narrow. Tl1-2 slope of I I I I 

the @dog space an&or ac&&ible aisle is too steep. - 2.94 2.86 2.71 

3. There is debris (leaves, snow, etc.) in the puking space and/Or 

accessible aisle. 2.11 1.99 2.06 

4. ‘Ihe curb cuts and/or nmped entrances blocked by the parldng 

7. Other @Iease specify): 

I I I I 

2 

Page 74 GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADk Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix III 

Survey Findinga 

2. Consider the times you have used pathways of a public estabItstunent In the past 6 months. How often, if at a% 

have you encountered the following barriers? (Check one cohnn per hnier). 

Maan Score 

January Apnl 

BARRIERS 1992 A,%? 1993 

1. IXere is no entrance that is accessible by wheelchair. 2.43 2.30 2.18 

2. The pathway Is ux) narrow. 2.45 2.33 2.20 

3. The slope of the ramps is too steep 2.43 2.33 2.25 

4. There is no handrailing on ramped pathways. 2.76 2.65 2.53 

5. Them is no level platform in front of doors on a ramped 2.34 2.30 2.18 

enaance. 

6. Them is an obstacle In the sxatbway of curb CUL 2.25 2.12 2.02 

7. The surface of the pathways is slippay. 2.00 1.88 1.84 

8. The surface of the pathway is rough (e.g. cobblestones, brick, or irregular pavement). 2.13 2.09 1.94 

9. Thelirrsatmebo~mof~andlornrrbcutsarttoobig. 2.42 2.35 2.26 

10. There are too few places to rest on long pathways. 

11. There are no deteztible warnings at cuti cuts. 

12. There are low-hanging objects undetexxable by canes. 

13. Other {pleme specify): 

2.42 2.32 2.21 

2.75 2.61 2.50 

2.00 1.94 1.94 

3 

Page 76 GAWPEMD-94-14 ADA: EtBcta of the Law on Access 
Appendix III 

Survey Findings 

3. Consider the times you have used entrances and doors of a public establishment In the past 6 ~K&IS. How oitm, 

if al all, have you encountered the following bamiem? {C/ml: one column per k&rJ. 

Jatluely 

BARRIERS 1892 

1. 7kdwrsaretoohewy. 3.26 

2 The hardware (e.g. knobs) 00 the door is diftIcult 10 ocefate. 3 77 

3. The door (or single leaf of a double door) is oo1 wide enough. 2.63 

4. Eikctronic door openers are not in tk right location. 1.94 

S. E!lectrooic doors close too quickly. 2.12 

6. ThE only tlccm are pocket doon or slkl.hlg &or%. I.78 

7. -llE only ckers are revolvklg doors. 1 AA 

8. lltere is not enough room between two doors In a series (e.g. 

vestibules). 2.45 

9. .&mity systems are &essibk only through voia 

communication. 2.22 

IO, Sxutity system cannot be opsrated by a person with a visual 

impriirmcnt. I 2.58 

g 12. Doors txxurolkd by a security system close too quickly. 

14. Other (prCa.w specify)): 

Iun So01 

Augual 

1992 

3.15 

A 2 65 

2 47 - 

1.88 

2.07 

1.68 

1 A5 

2.44 

2.13 

2.53 

2.30 

2.22 

2.07 4 

2.33 1 

4 

Page 76 GAO/PEMD-94-14 AILk Effects of the Law on Acceaa 
Appendix III 

Survey Findinga 

4. Consider he tlmea you have used shh of a puMic establishment in the past 6 months. How ofkn, ifat all. have 

you eacouaercd the followlttg banks? (Check or~c cult per hmid. 

5 

Page 77 GAOfPEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix III 

Survey Findings 

5. Consider the times you have used buflding hallways, rooms and retail spaces of a public cs&blishmentlnthc 

past 6 mcmths. How often, if at all. hve you encounlered the following barriers? (Cheek #ie wlumn per burricr). 

Mean Soore 

January Augusl April 

BARRIERS 1992 1892 1983 

1. Pa6waYS are too narrow. 2.14 2.61 2.46 

16. Other (pkusc specify): 

6 

Page 78 GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADk Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix II1 

Survey Findings 

6. Consider tk times you have uscd seating in a public establishment in the past 6 months. How oftc~ if at alI. YOU 

encountered the following bsniers? (Check me co[ran per &urricr). 

1 Mean Score I 

January August April 

BARRIERS 1992 1992 1993 

1. Accessible seating Is not inttgrated throughout the business. 2.99 2.88 2.74 

2. Acwssible seating does not perndt seating next to a person who &es not have a ui~llily. 2.71 2.70 2.55 

3, Tables are not htgh enough. 2.57 2.51 2.37 

4. Tables legs get in the way of fuI1 entry under the table. 1 3.30 1 3.18 1 3.01 

5. BarsaretooN@~. I 3.53 I 3.33 I 3.19 

7. Consider the times you have used elevators in a public establishment in the past 6 months. How ofkn. if at all, 

have you encountered the following barriers? (Check one cuhw~ per bonier). 

Mean Scot 

JanBARRIERS 

AugM 

1992 1992 

I. The ekvators are b&en 1.58 1.53 

2 Ihe ekVat#X butl0nE ace t03 high t0 rxxh. 2.03 1.93 

3. The ekvator buttons are obstructed. 1.55 1.49 

4. The elevator buttons are. hard to read (and lhcre Is no raised print 

or Braille lettering). 2.23 2.21 

5. There is no audible signal to indicate elevator location. 2.87 2.76 

6. Thexe is no raised print or Braille on the wall next to the elevator 

Uoars to indicate elevator location. 3.14 2.96 

7. l%e doors close toe quickly. 

8. The floor of the elevator is slippery. 

9. Other (plcuse Specifil: 

2.89 2.79 

1.56 1.59 

II-- 

l 

April 

1993 

1.54 

1.88 

1.52 

2.17 

2.67 

2.05 

2.68 

1.52 

7 

Page 79 GAO/PElb¶D-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix III 

Survey Findings 

8. Consider the times you have used the public restrooms of a public establishment in the past 6 months. How often, 

if at all, have you encountered the following barriers? (Ureck one colru?m per boderl. 

Mean Score 

January August April 

BARR1ERS 1992 1992 1993 

1. The bathroom or stall is too small 3.29 3.19 2.91 

2. The toilet is located too far from the grab bars. 2.56 2.53 2.41 _ 

3. These is not enough room to close the door betdnd you. 3.32 3.21 2.97 

4. The toilet seat is too low. 2.55 2.47 2.38 

5. The hardware on the door is diffkult to operate. 2.66 2.56 2.48 

6. The. dispensers are not accwible, 12.75 ( 2.67 1 2.53 

7. lie hardware on the sink is djfficult to onerate. 12.59 1 2.52 1 2.40 

8. The sink is not accessible. 2.55 2.48 2.32 

9. Other (piuse specify): 

10. Olher (please specifi}; 

9. Consider the times you have used telephones of a public establishment in the past 6 months. How often. if al all, 

have you encountered the following barriers? (Check OR C&WI per barrier). 

Mean Score 

January August W 

BARRIERS 1992 1992 1993 

1. I’lme arc not enough wheelchair-accessible pubbc telephones. 3.26 3.08 1 2.98 

2. Signage on phones (e.g., which accept coins versus calling 

Cards) is difficult to read. 2.73 2.64 2.60 

3. There are not enough public phom with amplification systems. 3.50 3.27 3.16 

4. There are not enoqh public TTYs 3.71 3.66 3.57 

5. Busirtesses do nol have ‘KIT numbers to call for information. 3.60 3.53 3.51 

6. Other (pkwse speci/u): 

I I I I 

7. Other (please specib): 

8 

Page 80 GAOIPEhQ-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix III 

Survey Findings 

SO. Ccmskler the Umes you have used hotel rowns in the past 6 months. How oftea, if at all. have you encountered the 

followinl! barriers? (Checlr one column per brwier). 

4. Showers d/or bathtubs are not accessible for wheelchairs. 3.04 3.64 3.51 

5. There are no asdive devices for the deaf (fire Jan-a. phone indicator, alarm clock, door knocker. ITI’). 3.90 3.73 3.56 

6. Tlerc arc no maps of rooms or room location in raised print. 3.70 3.51 3.35 . 

5. Other (pktzw speciill): 

8~ 0th (plea.w specifi): 

9 

Page 81 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Appenlx III 

Survey Findings 

11. Consider tlw times you needed service assistance in a public establishmet in the past 6 moat&~ HOW often, ifat 

all, have you encountered ti following bntiers? (Clreck one column per barrier). 

Mean Scar0 

January August April 

BARRIERS 1992 t992 1993 

1. services refuse 10 pay for sign language intexpreters. 3.16 2.88 3.01 

2, Sign lsnguage interpreters are not available when needed. 1 3.19 1 3.01 I 3.19 

3. I’m refused service because of my disabiW. t 1.49 1 1.43 1 1.42 

4. ptrsoml as&tam is required (e.g. locating or retrieving items 

pt a grocery stone or other retail store. reading a menu. locating 2.65 

different deparnneots or features of the site, etc.). 

5. lhe wait for personal asWance is too long. 

6. F’e~0nalasslsta~ispaov3ckdIncorrecdy. 2.06 

7. RcqueaB for personal pssistance an! refused. 1.48 

8. Tbm Is not enough ideation available In Iarge print, Braille, 

or on eametle (e.g. museum brochures, hospital information. 3.32 

tansit dedules, etc.). 

9. other @hue spcc@q: 

2.38 

2.21 

1.87 

1.36 

3.21 

2.28 

2.16 

1.91 

1.42 

3.00 

IO 

Page 82 GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix III 

Survey Findings 

12. QmsiUer lhe times you he used public transit in the past 6 months. HOW O*n, if&It all, haVe YOU erroountend 

the following bar&n? fCl=ck one COIWWI per hrricr). 

not have TI’Y numbers to call to request 

II 

Page 83 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADk Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix IV 

Federally Funded Resources 

Questions about ADA compliance and requests for additional information 

about the ADA may be directed to one of the federal agency numbers listed 

below. 

U.S. Department of Justice 

Civil Rights Division 

Coordination and Review Section 

P.O. Box 66118 

Washington, DC 20035-6118 

(202) 5140301 Voice 

(202) 514-0383 TDD 

U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board 

Suite 1000 

1331 F Street, N.W. 

Washington, D.C. 20004-l 111 

(800) USA-ABLE Voice 

(202) 272-5449 TDD 

Regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers 

(800) 949-4232 Voicekno 

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 

1801 L Street, N.W. 

Washington, DC 20507 

(800) 669-4000 Voice 

(202) 275-7518 TDD 

Federal Communications Commission 

1919 M Street, N.W. 

Washington, DC 20554 

(202) 632-7260 Voice 

(202) 632-0485 TDD 

President’s Committee on Employment of People With Disabilities 

1331 F Street, N.W. 

Washington, DC 20004 

(202) 376-6200 Voice 

(202) 376-6205 TDD 

Page 84 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA: Effecta of the Law on Access 
Appendix Iv 

Federally Funded Resources 

U.S. Department of Labor 

Office of Federal. Contract Compliance 

200 Constitution Ave., N. W . 

Washington, DC 20210 

(202) 2 19-9428 Voice 

(800) 326-2577 TDD 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Federal Transit Administration 

400 Seventh St., S.W., Room 9315 

Washington, DC 20590 

(202) 366-1656 Voice 

(202) 366-2979 TDD 

Page 85 GAO/PEMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 
Appendix V 

Major Contributors to This Report 

principal Authors and 

Investigators 

Program Evaluation and 

Methodology Division 

Patrick Grasso, Assistant Director 

Carolyn L. Feis, Project Manager 

principal Advisers 

Program Evaluation and 

Methodology Division 

Frederick V. Mulhauser, Assistant Director 

Dirk Albrecht, Management Research Assistant 

Elizabeth Priaulx, Management Research Assistant 

Principal Field Data 

Collectors assessments and interviews during one or more of our three l-month 

observation periods in January 1992, August 1992, and April 1993. 

Atlanta Regional Office Robert V. Arcenia, Site Senior 

Johnny Barnes, Project Member 

Michelle E. Bowsky, Site Senior 

SherriU Y. Caldwell, Site Senior 

Kenneth A. Davis, Project Member 

Deena Devane, Project Member 

Sylvia L. Diaz, Project Member 

Stacey E. Harlow, Project Member 

Anthony Kinsey, Project Member 

Gerald L. Winterlan, Project Member 

Boston Regional Offke Ellen M. Bradley, Project Member 

Sally J. Coburn, Project Member 

Thomas H. Coder, Project Member 

Denise D. Hunter, Site Senior 

Ellen B. M assarsky, Project Member 

Arthur T. Merriam, Jr., Project Member 

Lester P+ Slater, Jr., Project Member 

Page 86 GAOIPEMD-94-14 ADA Effecta of the Law on Access 
AppemdixV 

Major Cuntribu~rs to This Report 

Denver Regional Office Debra J. &IT, Regional Assignment Manager 

Mary Cox, Project Member 

Maria A Durant, Site Senior 

Stephen P. Gaty, Project Member 

Michael L. Gorin, Project Member 

Miguel A. Lyian, Project Member 

James R. Moore, Project Member 

Christopher R. Moos, Project Member 

Renee Shirley, Project Member 

(973753) Page 87 GAOA’EMD-94-14 ADA: Effects of the Law on Access 

(sag adq,) 

1 1IVlN XId3lI SS3NISfl8 1 I 

3 

-----------I--c-----I-c--------c------------- 

Caw wd / 

i 
A version of this report is also availabIe on audio cassette and on a 3.5-inch disk suitable for use on 

IBM-compatible (MS-DOS) computers. To receive one free audio cassette or ASCII disk, check 

ONE of the boxes below, print your name and address, and return this form to the GAO. 

0 Please send me the AUDIO CASSETTE version of 

Americans With Disabilities Act: Effects of the Law on 

Access to Goods and Services (GACYPEMD-94-14AC). 

0 Please send me the COMPUTER DISK version of 

Americans With Disabilities Act: Effects of the Law on 

Access to Goods and Services (GAO/PEMD-94-14D). 

Name: 

Address: 

Telephone: 

GAOLPEMD-94-14AC 

GAO/PEMD-94-14D 
.’ 

I, 1, 

I ‘(j&&&g g&)+&&n 

,;. 1: I 

. . ‘~, Tip, &st copy of each’ GAO report and testimony is free. 

: ” Add&&k@& are $2 each. Orders should be sent to the 

f@owiing &d&e&, accompanied by a check or money order 

mad& dut td the Superintendent of Documents, when 

n&cesBaq. Orders for 100 or more copies to be mailed to a 

sihgk address are discounted 26 percent. 

Orders by mail: 

” ,I’ ,.U.S. Gener# Accounting OffIce 

;:.,’ m*.,mx 6016 

_ 

., ; G&thetim, MD 20884-6016 

._: 

.. j .; or visit: 

s !” .,” :., 

_ 

‘;, Booui loo0 

, 

..’ :’ 

.. ,’ TlbO &h St. Nl? (corner of 4th and G Sts. NW) 

‘. ’ U.S. G,en&al ,A&otiting ,OfTice 

, :. ., .i- IWashing$on, PC I.,,, t ‘L : 

: ~ Orders may al& be piaced by calling (202) 612-6000 

,. ’ or by us&g fax ntukber (301) 258-4066. 

RECYCLED PAPER