Universal Access in Historic Buildings

By Frank E. Heitzman, AIA, ASID

January, 2005

Buildings in their most basic form provide security, shelter, and functional places in which to work, play and live. But buildings also bind cultures. Historic buildings can help us to understand our culture’s past, linking the past and present in ways not always demonstrable in textbooks. It is important then that historic buildings be accessible to all.

However, if you are physically disabled, or temporarily disabled, you may know that older buildings are among the least accessible buildings.

You may have been dismayed when you approached a building and were met with a long flight of stairs leading up to a narrow entrance door. The elevated entrance, long a tradition in western architecture and dating at least to the classical Greek period, has denied access to countless people.

One of the most famous and influential houses in history, the seventeenth century Villa Rotunda by Palladio, sported a temple front and a grand stair on each of its four sides.Palladio’s villa served as a model for Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and for a great many others in the succeeding years. It was not until the appearance of the midwestern Prairie School style that grade level entrances were considered aesthetically acceptable.

Ironically, the Jeffersonian notion of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” has been extended in its fullness to only to those able-bodied, sighted, and hearing individuals who are able to freely enter and use the buildings where we shop, eat, bank, work and worship. The unintended exclusion of the disabled from our public life has led to a vast misconception of the extent of their numbers.For those building owners who remark “I don’t really need to make my building accessible since disabled persons never come here” the act of exclusion is a self-fulfilling prophesy.

Accessibility

Today, accessibility is an assumed requirement in most new man-made environments which are designed to be fully accessible to nonambulatory, blind, and deaf persons. Both state and federal laws cover accessibility. New buildings account for only about 10 percent of our total built environment. The challenge lies in providing access to the other 90 percent, which will exist far into the future. How do we make that larger part of our world accessible to disabled persons? One way would be to eventually replace every existing building with a new accessible one. That would take many years to accomplish and would not allow for the preservation of historic buildings. Another approach would be to accept differences in the level of accessibility of new and existing buildings, with acceptance of even greater differences between historic and non-historic buildings. That is the approach that both state and federal governments have taken in an effort to ensure accessibility to all of our built environment.

Building Codes

Both the state and the federal governments have created rules that regulate the making of both new and existing buildings accessible to disabled persons. Safety is not the primary consideration, rather insuring an opportunity for free and equal access to the active life of our communities is the goal.

Sometimes the standards and building code requirements conflict with efforts to preserve a building’s historic integrity, such as a code requirement for an additional fire escape in an existing building that was originally designed with only one internal open fire stair, or removing an unstable terra-cotta cornice from a high-rise building. There are ways that a preservation-sensitive owner can resolve these conflicts. The federal law that mandates provisions for accessibility is the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, referred to simply as the ADA. The ADA differs from most building codes in that the owner of any building that is construed as a “public accommodation,” whether or not it is historic, is required to make immediate modifications to the building to meet a certain level of accessibility, as long as it is “readily achievable” to do so.

Historic Buildings

Making historic buildings accessible can be more difficult than making nonhistoric buildings accessible. People generally want access to a historic building because of its historic quality, which may be compromised if ordinary accessibility solutions are provided. For instance, one of the easiest ways to meet the letter of accessibility codes requiring access to the entrance of a historic building would be to remove a portion of the entrance stairs and build a ramp in front of the building. That might expediently solved one problem, but could also dramatically threaten the historic appearance of the building’s façade. Moreover, historic buildings frequently have multiple impediments to access, including: no parking lot near the entrance; no smooth path for wheelchairs from parking lot to building entrance; steps leading to the front entrance door; narrow and thick front doors; doorknobs and encumbering door closers; no spaces for wheelchairs in auditoria and other rooms; narrow corridors and interior doors; no public toilet rooms, or the toilets are on raised floors or are too small for wheelchairs; and no visible (and many times not audible) emergency warning systems. Virtually everyone of these items can have an effect on the historic significance of a property. It is obvious that special consideration should be given to historic buildings when providing accessibility features.

State Accessibility Code

Today Illinois has one of the most comprehensive sets of requirements in the country for this complex area of building design. In addition to regulating the design of virtually all new buildings, the code also includes requirements for additions to existing buildings, alterations to buildings, minimum requirements for buildings used by state or local governments, and provisions for work on historic buildings. The provisions dealing with changes to historic buildings are unique in the country (and probably in the world). The Illinois code provides a special list of “technical alternates” for historic buildings. Those alternates provide accessibility for disabled persons, but permit a reduction in the ease of access. For instance, doors do not have to be as wide, and ramp slopes may be slightly steeper. If one cannot make the main entrance door to a historic building accessible without compromising its historic integrity, a different access location for disabled persons may be provided.

State requirements for accessibility come into play only if changes are made to an existing building. There are no so-called “retroactive” or minimum requirements for buildings in Illinois unless the building is used by a state or local government body. There is an escalating series of requirements depending on the extent of the proposed alterations work as compared with the cost of rebuilding the entire building.For instance, if the cost of alterations is less than 15% of the cost of reconstructing the building and more than $100,000 is spent on alterations within a period of 30 months, only the portion of the building being changed must be made accessible. A hypothetical situation illustrates this point:an old stair is proposed to be rebuilt at a cost of $150,000.The complete reconstruction cost of the building is estimated at $1.5 million dollars. The proposed work is thus only 10% of the cost of rebuilding the entire building, therefore only the new stair that is replaced must comply with the accessibility code. The code requires that the new stair have no protruding nosings on the treads, that it be designed so that the treads are at least 11 inches wide and the risers are no higher than 7 inches, and that the handrails extend 12 inches horizontally beyond the highest riser and 23 inches beyond the lowest riser.Obviously, in some buildings the existing stair shaft may not be large enough to accommodate the new stair with its new riser-tread proportion.In that case, the stair shaft would have to be rebuilt to accommodate the new stair.However, if the rebuilding of the stair shaft would require that a major structural “load-bearing” member be relocated, the code says that the requirements would be waived due to “structural impracticability.” The local building department official would have to agree that this is, in fact, the case.

Basic Philosophy

In the case of our hypothetical building, which would cost $1.5 million dollars to reconstruct, the 15 percent threshold would be reached at a remodeling cost of $225,000. At that point, all of the other associated accessibility work listed above would have to be done. At current new construction costs of $80 to $100 per square foot, the $1.5 million dollar building would likely represent a 15,000 square foot building, possibly on two floors of 7,500 square feet each. A $225,000 expenditure would effectively remodel a 5,000 square foot area, or about one-third of the building. Only “general construction work” is included in the remodeling cost totals to compare against the reproduction costs. That means that mechanical, electrical, plumbing, reproofing, tuckpointing, interior redecoration, and exterior façade work are not included. That work can account for half or more of the total construction cost. Therefore, the state requirements are, in most cases, not as difficult to meet as they may seem at first glance. Finally, the Illinois Code says that if a building is being remodeled to more than 50 percent of the reconstruction costs, the entire building must be made completely accessible, just as if it were a new building. Given the exclusions for various costs, this 50 percent level would imply a “gut rehab” effort. Thus, it would not be difficult to meet the requirements at this level.

Buildings that are designated by the state as “historic” for the purpose of the accessibility code are buildings that are individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places or are contributing structures located within a National Register district, or are listed as local landmarks by a local historic preservation commission. The local commission or the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency can provide assistance in determining a building’s landmark status. If any building that is designated as historic is proposed to be remodeled, it must conform to the same accessibility requirements as any other building being remodeled, with the following exceptions:

Technical Alternates for Historic Buildings in Illinois

1. Ramp slopes may be 1 inch vertical rise for every 9 inch horizontal run (a 1:9 slope), if the maximum length is 12 feet horizontally between landings. This would allow for a maximum 16 inch rise between landings.

2. Ramp slopes may be 1 inch vertical rise for every 6 inch horizontal run, if the maximum length is 2 feet between landings (4-inch maximum rise between landings).

3. Minimum clear door width.

4. If no solution to accessibility to the front entrance is possible without having an “adverse effect” on the historic entrance, then an alternate accessible entrance may be provided with directional signs to it from the main entrance.

5. If making a historic stair accessible would have an adverse effect on the stair, the requirements for making that stair accessible would be waived.

6. Where access is limited to controlled groups with assigned tour guides (such as in a historic house museum or tour home), the following additional alternates are available:

a. Ramp slopes may be 1-inch vertical rise for every 4-inch horizontal run (1:4 slope), if the maximum rise is 9 inches.That may be accomplished with either a permanent or portable ramp.

b. Requirements for storage heights, switches or other operating devices, alarms, detectable warnings for blind people, and signs are not enforced.

One might ask why a public toilet room would have to comply with the Illinois Accessibility Code when there is no way a person in a wheelchair could even enter the building. The answer to that question underlies the basic philosophy behind the Illinois Code. The concept is that eventually, over time, the building will undergo alterations to every portion.As each part is altered, it will be made to comply. Thus, at some time in the future, the whole building will be made accessible.

Federal Accessibility Law (The ADA) And Existing Buildings

Buildings classified under the ADA as “public accommodations” require that all of their barriers be removed to the extent that it is readily achievable to do so.“Public Accommodations” include all privately owned buildings except the following building types: housing, private clubs, buildings that are controlled by religious organizations (not just churches), factories, warehouses, and office buildings.

The ADA includes a detailed list of the types of barrier removal that would be normally considered to be “readily achievable:”

1. Installing ramps (see also the note below)

2. Making curb cuts in sidewalks

3. Repositioning shelves

4. Rearranging tables, chairs, vending machines, display racks and other furniture

5. Repositioning telephones

6. Adding Braille markings on elevator control buttons

7. Installing flashing fire alarm lights

8. Widening doors

9. Installing offset hinges to widen doorways

10. Eliminating turnstiles or providing alternative accessible paths

11. Installing accessible door hardware (such as lever handle locks)

12. Installing grab bars in toilet stalls

13. Rearranging toilet partitions to increase maneuvering space

14. Installing pipe insulation under lavatories and sinks to prevent burns

15. Installing raised toilet seats (note that this is not permitted in Illinois)

16. Installing full-length bathroom mirrors

17. Repositioning paper-towel dispensers in a bathroom

18. Creating designated accessible parking spaces

19. Installing accessible paper-cup dispensers at an existing drinking fountain

20. Removing high-pile low-density carpeting

21. Installing hand controls

The Technical Assistance Manual published by the Justice Department, which explains the intent of the ADA further, states that providing access to spaces that can be reached only by a flight of steps would not normally be considered readily achievable if it “would require extensive ramping or an elevator.” Furthermore, if a building contains less than 3,000 square feet per floor or is only two stories tall, the owner does not have to install an elevator to reach the upper floor or basement – even if the building is being remodeled – unless those floors contain a doctor’s office, shopping center, or transportation terminal. The federal law also stipulates the required priorities for barrier removal, assuming that not all the items listed above are going to be readily achievable initially. Those priorities are:

1. First, an owner of a public accommodation should take measures to provide access to the building of from public sidewalks, parking or public transportation. Those measures include, for example, installing an entrance ramp, widening an entrance door, and providing accessible parking spaces in the parking lot (if a parking lot is provided by the building). Portable ramps could be used when installation of a permanent ramp is not readily achievable.

2. Second, an owner of a public accommodation should take measures to provide access to areas within the building where goods and services are made available to the public. Those measures include, for example, adjusting the layout of display racks, rearranging tables, providing Braille and raised character signs, widening doors, providing visual alarms, and installing ramps. Note, however, that the rearrangement of temporary or movable structures, such as furniture, equipment, and display racks is not considered to be readily achievable if it results in a significant loss of selling or serving space.

3. Third, an owner of a public accommodation should take measures to provide access to at least one existing restroom in the building (assuming restrooms are provided for public use). Those measures include, for example, removal of obstructing furniture or vending machines, widening doors, installation of ramps, providing accessible signs, widening of toilet stalls, and installation of grab bars.

4. Fourth, an owner of a public accommodation should take any other measures necessary to provide access to the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations offered within the building.

If an owner cannot remove all of the barriers for full accessibility due to cost, he or she must attempt to make all the changes possible using a less-expensive method. This may not result in accessibility for all, but would probably make the building accessible to the majority. The acceptable alternates cited by the ADA are providing a slightly steeper ramp that that specified in the ADA standards, or providing a slightly narrower door than that required.

If the owner cannot accomplish this “lesser quality” barrier removal due to cost, he or she still has to make the goods and services in the building available to disabled persons through some other means, such as providing curb service or home delivery, retrieving merchandise for the customer from inaccessible shelves, or by relocating activities to another accessible location.

Business owners are also required to effectively communicate about their goods and services to disabled persons through written documents, tape recordings, Braille materials, large-print materials, or through persons who are fluent in sign language. For instance, a restaurant’s menu may have to be read to a blind person, or spoken instructions may have to be written for a deaf person.

Keep in mind that all of these requirements need to be met only to the extent that they are able to be done without causing “significant difficulty or expense.” However, the limit on significant difficulty or expense has not definitively been set by the government, and an owner must determine for himself or herself what that limit would be in their circumstance.

Where there are many tenants in a building, the question might arise concerning who is responsible for barrier removal. Normally, a tenant would be responsible for removable of barriers within his or her leasehold space, while the owner of a building would be responsible for removing barriers in the common spaces shared by multiple tenants. But this may not always be the case if the lease states otherwise. It is possible that a tenant could be responsible for maintaining his own space as well as the building lobby (if there were only one tenant on a floor, for instance). On the other hand, if the owner of the building agreed to “build out” the tenant’s space, the owner could be charged with also making it accessible. There is no clear-cut answer to this question. The prudent thing to do at this time would be to review and perhaps renegotiate the lease to make the division of responsibility clear.

Remodeling in accordance with the ADA

1. Ramp slopes may be built steeper than normal – 1 inch vertical rise to 10 inch horizontal run for a 6 inch maximum height, or 1 inch vertical rise in 8 inch horizontal run for a 3 inch height, instead of the normal 1 inch in 12 inch.

2. Handrail extensions are not required if they would be located in such a way as to be hazardous.

3. Minimum elevator cab dimensions may be 48 inches x 48 inches, instead of 51 inches x 68 inches.

4. Minimum clear door width is 31 3/8 inches instead of 32 inches.

5. Minimum 3 foot wide accessible toilet stalls instead of 5 foot wide stalls.

6. Spaces for wheelchairs may be clustered rather than dispersed in assembly areas.

7. Platform lifts may be used instead of elevators.

8. One accessible dressing room may serve both sexes instead of providing one for each sex.

ADA Path of Travel Requirements

By the ADA, whenever any part of the structure that contains the building’s primary functions is remodeled, it must have an accessible path of travel from the street or parking lot to that remodeled part. One accessible toilet room for each sex, an accessible drinking fountain, and an accessible telephone must also be provided.However, the building owner is required to spend only an additional 20 percent of the cost of remodeling to do this extra work.If the complete “path of travel” cannot be done within the 20 percent allowance, the owner must do whatever can be done within that amount.The 20 percent allowance must be spent in the following order of priority:

1. An accessible entrance to the building.

2. An accessible route to the altered area, for example, by widening doorways or installing ramps.

3. At least one accessible restroom for each sex, by enlarging toilet stalls, installing grab bars in toilet stalls, and installing accessible faucet controls on the lavatories.

4. One or more accessible telephones, by relocating an existing telephone to an accessible height, installing amplification devices, and possibly installing a telecommunications device for deaf persons (TDD).

5. One or more accessible drinking fountains with the spout 36 inches above the floor.

6. Accessible parking stalls that are 16 feet wide.

7. Accessible storage.

8. Visual and audible alarms.

The division of building owner and tenant responsibility is well defined in cases of remodeling. If a tenant remodels only the space that the tenant occupies, this will not trigger the “path of travel” requirements. But if the owner of the building remodels a part of the building, the path of travel requirements must be met.

Historic Buildings under the ADA

1. A building that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

2. A “contributing building” located in a National Register historic district.

3. A building that is “Eligible” for listing in the National Register (as determined by the State Historic Preservation Officer.

4. A building that has been designated as historic by a local historic preservation commission.

Existing historic buildings that are not intended to be remodeled or restored must be made accessible to the maximum extent that can be afforded (the so-called “readily achievable” standard), as long as the proposed changes do not “threaten or destroy” the historic character of the building. The Illinois State Historic Preservation Officer (the “SHPO”) is obligated to determine whether the required accessibility provisions will threaten or destroy the historic character. Local historic preservation commissions can also assist building owners in making those determinations. The Illinois office of the SHPO is located in the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency in Springfield. Available from that office or online at http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/tps/tax/rhb/index.htm is the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, which lists ten basic criteria for guiding decisions concerning remodeling or additions to historic buildings to retain their historic integrity.If the SHPO determines that any particular accessibility provision will threaten or destroy the historic character of the building, that provision does not have to be implemented.However, alternate and perhaps less accessible provisions must still be made, and goods and services must still be available to disabled persons through other means.

How does the SHPO determine whether an accessibility requirement will threaten or destroy the historic character of the building? Decisions regarding the effects of renovation on historic buildings are a normal part of the work of the state historic preservation office as well as local historic preservation commissions.To guide these decisions, a step-by-step process is followed.

Step one: A basic analysis of the building is made to determine the level of historic, architectural, or cultural significance of the affected historic resources. Those elements that are part of the major public areas of the building, such as the primary street elevation, the front door, and the formal public rooms would generally be considered highly significant and would, therefore, be most adversely affected by accessibility changes. Basements, closets, and bathrooms are not generally considered to be historically significant spaces and usually can be altered. A historical analysis of an entire facility is not normally required to make decisions about specific architectural elements. Most historic buildings have areas that are of greater of lesser historic importance. For example, it is often possible to locate the accessible entrance at a location of lesser architectural or historical importance – a typical alternative access treatment for many historical buildings.A sign at the front entrance or base of the entry stairs will direct individuals to a side or rear accessible entry.

Step two: If proposed accessibility changes would threaten or destroy the historic character of the building, a list of “alternative requirements” for historic preservation work may be applied. These alternative (or so-called “minimum” requirements) are as follows:

1.          Only one accessible path of travel to an accessible entrance need be provided.

2. One entrance door, instead of all, may be made accessible.If no public entrance can be made accessible without negatively affecting the historic integrity, then a secondary entrance may be made accessible, as long as directional signs are provided at one or more of the non-accessible entrances.

3. Ramp slopes may be made steeper over short distances.A maximum slope of 1 inch rise in 6 inches horizontal run may be used for a maximum length of 24 inches on the exterior only.

4. Access must be provided to all publicly-used spaces on the level of entrance.

5. Displays and written information must be located so that they can be seen by seated persons (no higher than 44 inches above the floor).

If the application of alternate provisions would also threaten or destroy the historic character of the building, the alternates would not be required. According to the U.S. Justice Department, that situation would be unusual. Step three, then, is to apply the lower level, lesser quality barrier removal, just like requirements for other historic buildings that do not undergo remodeling. In addition, the same type of exemptions that are available for non-historic buildings are also available for historic buildings.

Providing accessible vertical circulation throughout a small historic building, such as a historic house museum, may be difficult. It may be impossible to install an interior elevator to avoid major structural changes or compromises to historic rooms. In that case, the acceptable alternative by ADA standards would be to provide access to the principal floor, but no other levels, and then provide a video or photographic program showing the entire house in an accessible visitor’s center. The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park has done this successfully. Even some older ambulatory visitors opt to see the video rather than climb all of the various stairs at that site.

Scale is another important issue in measuring the effect of accessibility changes on historic structures. Changes that may have little overall impact on a large commercial historic building could easily destroy the character-defining features of a small residential structure. Small additive features that do not require demolition to make a building more accessible will likely not threaten or destroy its historic character. These might include the addition of a small handrail at the front steps, signs, alarm systems, and portable ramps. The key to designing those elements is what preservationists call “reversibility”- installing items without destroying historic materials, so that if they were removed later, the building would be intact.

Principles Of Universal Design

1: Equitable Use
The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.

· Provide the same means of use for all users: identical whenever possible; equivalent when not.

· Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users.

· Provisions for privacy, security, and safety should be equally available to all users.

· Make the design appealing to all users.

2: Flexibility in Use
The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.

· Provide choice in methods of use.

· Accommodate right- or left-handed access and use.

· Facilitate the user's accuracy and precision.

· Provide adaptability to the user's pace.

3: Simple and Intuitive Use
Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

· Eliminate unnecessary complexity.

· Be consistent with user expectations and intuition.

· Accommodate a wide range of literacy and language skills.

· Arrange information consistent with its importance.

· Provide effective prompting and feedback during and after task completion.

4: Perceptible Information
The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.

· Use different modes (pictorial, verbal, tactile) for redundant presentation of essential information.

· Provide adequate contrast between essential information and its surroundings.

· Maximize "legibility" of essential information.

· Differentiate elements in ways that can be described (i.e., make it easy to give instructions or directions).

· Provide compatibility with a variety of techniques or devices used by people with sensory limitations.

5: Tolerance for Error
The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

· Arrange elements to minimize hazards and errors: most used elements, most accessible; hazardous elements eliminated, isolated, or shielded.

· Provide warnings of hazards and errors.

· Provide fail safe features.

· Discourage unconscious action in tasks that require vigilance.

6: Low Physical Effort
The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.

· Allow user to maintain a neutral body position.

· Use reasonable operating forces.

· Minimize repetitive actions.

· Minimize sustained physical effort.

7: Size and Space for Approach and Use
Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility.

· Provide a clear line of sight to important elements for any seated or standing user.

· Make reach to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user.

· Accommodate variations in hand and grip size.

· Provide adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assistance.

These principles should be applied in making decisions about how to make historic buildings accessible to all persons, regardless of disability. This is a philosophical approach, which goes beyond building codes and the ADA, which must be satisfied in any event, but following codes alone do not always provide the best accessibility. We sometimes get caught up in adherence to the letter of codes without fully understanding the principles that underlie the reason behind the code requirement.

Typical Accessibility Problems and Solutions

Basic things that should be done to assure access are as follows:

1. Park nearby or on site.
2. Get onto the building site.
3. Approach an entrance door via ramp or lift.
4. Get through an entrance door.
5. Get around the first floor through doors and hallways.
6. Get onto upper and lower floors via ramp or lift.
7. Read signs.
8. Use public toilet rooms.
9. Use public drinking fountains.
10. Use public telephones.
11. Conduct business face to face.
12. Hear or see alarm signals.
13. Exit the building safely in an emergency.
14.  

Getting into the Building.The most difficult part of access into a historic building is getting in the door. Typically, the first floor will be located from 6 inches to 4 feet above the ground. Where the rise is minimum, the sidewalk can be simply raised to meet the first floor level, but that becomes very noticeable for differences in height above 12 inches.

Sometimes a new door at grade level can open into an intermediate level carved out of the interior, where a vertical platform lift is located. Simple versions of such lifts cost about $20,000 installed.The additional structural work necessary to cut the exterior opening and reframe the interior could cost another $20,000 – considerably less than the cost of installing a full elevator. Vertical platform lifts are legal for existing buildings in accordance with both the Illinois law and the ADA. A platform lift, unlike an elevator, is rated for only about 500 pounds of load and can lift only one individual in a wheelchair. A lift has no pit below or mechanical penthouse above, and does not necessarily have a fireproof shaft around it. And while an elevator can serve multiple floors, a lift can serve only two or three levels.

Another option is an “inclined platform lift,” which operates a platform alongside a stair on a track. The inclined platform lift is sometimes a less expensive alternative, but it is generally more visible and can be intrusive on the historic integrity of the building. Ideally, a disabled person should be able to operate the lift independently. I nclined platform lifts reduce the available exit capacity of the stair when deployed, and are, therefore, not very usable if only a single exist stair exists.

The least intrusive method is a vertical platform lift designed to disappear into the ground. When the lift is activated, its safety railings rise out of the ground, followed by the platform.These cost around $30,000, plus building alterations costs. The Lincoln Home in Springfield is equipped with such a device.

..... .....

If one cannot afford the disappearing platform lift, try avoiding making irreversible changes to the building when adding vertical circulation devices. Thus at some time in the future, if a better technological solution is invented, the changes can easily be reversed.

Getting through the door. If the entrance door has a minimum clearance of 31 3/8 inches, the door meets accessibility requirements, but the hardware may require modification to allow turning the latch without grasping a knob. This may mean replacing the knob with a lever device. It may also mean adding an electrical operator to the door that is activated by a gentle push or an electric eye. Door attendants are not preferred. T he goal is to allow a person with disabilities to maintain independence. If a door is too narrow by no more than 2 inches, offset hinges may be used to allow the door to swing clear of the frame, effectively widening the clear opening.Normal wheelchairs are about 26 inches wide, so it is physically possible to squeeze through that narrow of a door, but the wheelchair user would need to tuck his or her elbows in and would be unable to push the wheels while passing through the door opening.

Use of the offset hinge

Reversible addition to an existing door threshold

to make it accessible

Door knob has been unobtrusively

retrofitted with a handle to make it accessible

(National Park Service File Photo)

Hemingway Birthplace Home, Wesley Arnold, Architect, 1895

..............................................

Vertical platform lift installed to provide access to front porch        Interior “LULA” elevator installed provide access to all levels

Vertical circulation within building. Providing accessibility to upper floors is not required by law if it is not readily achievable, or if it is structurally impracticable. However, if an elevator is desired, the easiest to install is a hydraulic type. The elevator itself can be relatively small – about 4 feet square – and may be concealed in a closet or storeroom. The total cost will be about $100,000 for installing a four-stop elevator.

Minor changes of level.Often there are small changes of level in a historic building that may be accommodated by ramps. Ramps are an option if the height to be traversed is no more than 30 inches. For a 30-inch vertical rise, the ramp will need to be 30 feet long (a 1:12 slope) – the maximum length of ramp that is allowed without providing an intermediate landing. Keep in mind that wheelchair users will expend a great deal of energy in ascending such a ramp. A 5-foot clear landing at the top and bottom of the ramp must be provided, and 5-foot square landings at turns. The minimum width of a ramp is 36 inches clear between handrails. Handrails must be located on both sides of the ramp. A ramp has a maximum slope of 1 in 12 (or 1-inch rise per foot of run). Sloped sidewalks or ramps with grades of 1 in 20 or less do not require handrails.

Accessible toilet rooms. Very few existing or historic buildings have large enough toilet rooms to accommodate wheelchairs. The preferred solution is to create additional individual toilet rooms that will accommodate one person. The minimum space required is about 5 feet by 7 feet if the door opens out.A single user, unisex toilet room would be acceptable for use in an existing historic building.

Effective Communication. Having made physical access to your historic building allows wheelchair users to experience the interior and participate in activities within the building, but does not always allow persons with sight or hearing disabilities full access. It is important to provide enhanced communication methods or assistive devices to communicate with those persons.

Financial Assistance from the Government

The federal government currently offers two programs to assist the building owner or tenant in making accessibility provisions less costly. Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code (1990) allows for a maximum tax deduction of $15,000 per year for removal of barriers.

A tax credit is also available to businesses with $1 million or less in gross receipts or thirty or fewer full-time employees during the preceding year. The credit is 50% of the amount between $250 and $10,250 spent during the year for removal of barriers to comply with the ADA. The maximum tax credit is $5,125 per year.

Conclusion

All of us should be continually searching for ways to make out built environment more accessible to everyone. It is mainly a question of being sensitized toward the issues.Codes and standards only take us part way and are only as enforceable as we allow them to become. The major part of our task is learning to understand the difficulties that persons with disabilities are faced with in carrying out the ordinary activities of everyday business. That cannot be codified, but must come from our sense of humanity.

Summary Comparison Between the Illinois Accessibility Code 

Shaded areas indicate the requirement that provides better accessibility, and therefore, should be used
 

Illinois Accessibility Code (IAC)	Americans with Disabilities Act Guidelines (ADAAG)
Includes buildings listed or eligible for listing on National Register, a contributing building in a National Register Historic District, state or local landmarks, and buildings which undergo historic reconstruction	Includes buildings listed or eligible for listing on the National Register, state or local landmarks
Exemptions: 1.Privately owned single and two-family residences 2.Privately owned apartment buildings less than four stories in height or containing less than ten units 3.Individual dwelling units in privately owned apartment buildings four or more stories high and containing ten or more units which are not designated to be adaptable or accessible units 4.Privately-owned apartment buildings four or more stories high and containing ten or more units which are altered with private funds only 5.Housing owned or financed by the state or local government where there are fewer than five dwelling units on one site 6.All but one level of a multi-level platform (as long as the same functions and services are available on the accessible level) 7.Security observation galleries 8.Non-occupiable spaces accessed only by ladders, catwalks, crawl spaces, very narrow passageways and frequented only by service personnel for repair purposes 9.Basement, mezzanine, or 2nd floor of a two-story building up to 1000 square feet maximum area 10.Parts of buildings which would require removing or altering a load-bearing member which is an essential part of the structural frame as approved by the building department 11.Alterations which would be prohibited by existing physical or site constraints as approved by the building department 12.Temporary construction buildings	Exemptions: 1.All housing (except common public facilities) 2.Catwalks 3.Parts of buildings which would require removing or altering a load-bearing member which is an essential part of the structural frame  4.Alterations which would be prohibited by existing physical or site constraints  5.Buildings owned by religious organizations or entities controlled by religious organizations 6.Private Clubs.(Note that there are very stringent requirements for what the Department of Justice interprets is a “private club”) 7.Security observation galleries 8.Non-state or local government-owned and occupied office buildings, factories or warehouses are not considered to be “places of public accommodation” and are therefore exempt from accessibility requirements under the ADA.However, if a disabled person is hired to work in these types of buildings, accessibility must be provided under Title I of the ADA 9.Elevators are not required in 2-story buildings, unless they are a shopping center, shopping mall or professional office of a health care provider. 10.Elevators are not required in buildings of any number of stories that have less than 3000 square feet per story unless they are a shopping center, shopping mall or professional office of a health care provider.
No barrier removal is required unless alterations take place	Barrier removal must be done to an existing building to the extent that it is readily achievable, regardless of whether alterations will take place
The SHPO must be consulted by the Owner and the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation must be used as a guide to determine whether proposed or required alterations will “threaten or destroy” the historic character of a landmark.If so, “alternative Illinois Accessibility Code access provisions” may be used.	The SHPO “should” be consulted by the Owner to determine whether proposed or required alterations will “threaten or destroy” the historic character of a landmark.If so, “alternative ADA access provisions” may be used.
Definition of alterations: Any modification of a building, except normal maintenance, reroofing, interior or exterior redecoration, changes to mechanical and electrical systems, replacement of plumbing piping or valves, asbestos removal, and installation of fire sprinkler systems (unless these changes affect the “usability” of the building).	Definition of alterations: Any modification of a building that affects the usability of the facility, except routine maintenance, reroofing, painting or wallpapering, and changes to mechanical or electrical systems (unless these changes affect the “usability” of the building).
Definition of reproduction cost: The estimated cost of constructing a new building of like size, design and materials at the site of the original building	Definition of reproduction cost is not required
If alteration costs spent within a period of 30 months are 15% or less of reproduction cost,the element or space altered must comply with the code for new construction -alternative access provisions may be used if the SHPO determines that the alterations will “threaten or destroy” the historic character of the building	Extent of accessibility required is not based on % of reproduction cost spent. The element or space altered must comply and an accessible horizontal and vertical path of travel to the element or space must be provided, as long as that path of travel does not exceed 20% of the cost of the alteration of the element or space - alternative access provisions may be used if the Owner determines that the alterations will “threaten or destroy” the historic character of the building
If alteration costs spent within a period of 30 months are 15% or more of reproduction cost for “Historically Interpreted Buildings” (such as historic house museums), the following must be done:  1.An accessible route must be provided to one principle level with displays open to the public 2.An audible and visual information source must be provided adjacent to the main entrance to give directions and information 3.Displays must be able to be seen by seated persons – no higher than 44” above the floor 4.One unisex accessible toilet provided within 200 ft from main entrance 5.One accessible drinking fountain within 200 ft from main entrance 6.Accessible parking spaces where parking is provided 7.An accessible route from parking to an accessible entrance	Same as above
If alteration costs spent within a period of 30 months are 15% or more of reproduction cost for buildings which are not “Historically Interpreted Buildings” the following must be done:  1.Part altered must comply 2.An accessible entrance and an accessible means of egress 3.Horizontal and vertical accessible routes between an accessible entrance or accessible means of egress and the part altered 4.One unisex accessible toilet 5.Accessible parking spaces where parking is provided 6.An accessible route from parking to an accessible entrance	Same as above
Alternative access provisions 1.Maximum ramp slope 1:10 for 6" rise 2.Maximum ramp slope 1:8 for 3" rise 3.Maximum ramp slope 1:6 for 2" rise 4.Where access is limited to controlled groups with assigned tour guides, detachable ramps may be used 5.Where access is limited to controlled groups with assigned tour guides, the following requirements are waived: a.Doors and threshold heights (except door widths) b.Storage c.Controls and operating mechanisms where they are not intended to be operated by the public d.Detectable warnings e.Signage 6.Where access is limited to controlled groups with assigned tour guides or where a full-time door attendant is provided at the door, there are no special requirements for door hardware or operation (push force) 7.Where alteration of a door will not meet the Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation, doors must be improved to the greatest extent possible, but widths may be reduced to 29 ½”  8.If the main entrance cannot be altered without threatening or destroying the historic character of the building, then access at another unlocked entrance may be provided, with directional signage at the primary entrance and a notification system. 9.If a stair cannot be altered without destroying or greatly altering the historic aspects of the building, requirements for stair accessibility are waived 10.Where full extension of stair handrails would be hazardous or impossible due to plan configuration, they are not required 11.Where existing shaft or structural elements prohibit compliance with minimum dimensions of elevator cars, then new elevator cars may be minimum floor area of 48” x 48”  12.Accessible seating in assembly areas may be located in collected areas on an accessible route if it is technically infeasible to disperse the seating	Alternative access provisions 1.Maximum ramp slope 1:10 for 6" rise 2.Maximum ramp slope 1:8 for 3" rise 3.Maximum ramp slope 1:6 for 2" rise 4.Where full extension of stair handrails would be hazardous or impossible due to plan configuration, they are not required 5.Where existing shaft or structural elements prohibit compliance with minimum dimensions of elevator cars, then new elevator cars may be minimum floor area of 48” x 48”  6.Minimum existing door widths may be 31 3/8” clear 7.Maximum existing threshold height may be ¾” if sides are beveled 8.If the main entrance cannot be altered without threatening or destroying the historic character of the building, then access at another unlocked entrance may be provided, with directional signage at the primary entrance and a notification system.

For Further Reading

Illinois Accessibility Code (71 Illinois Administrative Code 400).State of Illinois Capitol Development Board, April 24, 1997. http://www.cdb.state.il.us/forms/download/iac.pdf (includes the Illinois Environmental Barriers Act, Signage and Parking Regulations)

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Public Law 101-336, July 26, 1990, 104 Stat. 327.Published by the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Coordination and Review Section, P.O. Box 66118, Washington, D.C. 20035-6118.Queries, contact Robin Jones, the ADA Great Lakes Region Disability and IT Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago telephone (312) 996-1059.The ADA operates a national information line in Washington (202) 514-0301, or contact via the Internet at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm

ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG).The Access Board.http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm

Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS).The Access Board.http://www.access-board.gov/ufas/ufas-html/ufas.htm

ADA Title II Regulations (28 CFR PART 35).Department of Justice.http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/reg2.html

ADA Title III Regulations (28 CFR PART 36).Department of Justice. http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/reg3a.html

Ballantyne, Duncan S. and Harold Russell Associates, Inc. Accommodation of Disabled

Visitors at Historic Sites in the National Park System. Washington, D.C.: Park Historic

Architecture Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1983.

Jester, Thomas C. Preserving the Past and Making it Accessible for People with

Disabilities. Washington, D.C.: Preservation Assistance Division, National Park Service,

U.S. Department of the Interior, 1992.

Jester, Thomas C. and Sharon C. Park, AIA.Making Historic Properties Accessible.National Park Service Preservation Brief 32.http://www2.cr.nps.gov/tps/briefs/brief32.htm

Parrott, Charles. Access to Historic Buildings for the Disabled. Washington, D.C.: U.S.

Department of the Interior, 1980.

Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings (36 CFR 67).Department of the Interior.http://www2.cr.nps.gov/tps/tax/rhb/stand.htm

Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Washington, D.C.: Preservation Assistance Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1993. http://www2.cr.nps.gov/tps/secstan1.htm