Technical Assistance for
ADA Projects

Technical Assistance

Consult the following guidelines, building codes, and enforceable standards when planning, constructing, or redeveloping outdoor recreational facilities. The following information is provided as a service from RCO and may not be a complete list, nor is it an intended to be an exclusive list of applicable provisions. It remains the responsibility of RCO grant recipients to follow all applicable federal, state, or local codes, standards, regulations, guidelines, or provisions that maximize access for people with disabilities.

1. Effective March 2012 , the use of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design are mandatory. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 was revised and new rules were issued implementing the changes March 15, 2011. The new regulations include the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. These new design standards apply to all grants awarded by RCO for alterations or new construction projects. Although their use is not mandatory under federal rules until March 2012, RCO requires their use because they are the most current and provide the most access possible. Visit the board's Web site for more details.


2. Draft Final Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas issued in October 2009 provide the latest scoping and technical information for camping, picnic, beaches and trails. These draft guidelines should be used when the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design do not provide coverage.


3. The current, applicable state building code is the 2009 International Building Code as amended, along with the most current American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A117.1), as referenced in the International Building Code, chapter 11, as amended. The International Building Code is updated every three years and the state adopts the new version a year later. However, amendments may happen each year. See Washington Administrative Code 51-50-1101. There is a new 2009 ANSI A 117.1 document that came out in 2010 that is available from the International Code Council. While not yet adopted into the current 2009 building code, it may be worth reviewing for the newest access information.


4. RCO supports using the most current accessibility building codes, access board ADA guidelines, final rules, final reports, technical bulletins, and best practices for providing accessibility. The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design are the latest and most current information available. It is your responsibility to research and use the newest available access codes and standards. If an access conflict arises among any standard, guideline, model code, or best practice, refer to the one providing the most access for people with disabilities. When applicable, accessibility still is required if no model code or standard exists, unless there are specific exceptions.


5. The adopted building code as amended, in Washington still exceeds the new 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design in a few areas. For example, the minimum route of travel width outdoors is only 36 inches in federal standards and 32 inches clear width for doors and gates, but in Washington State code the minimum outdoor route of travel “clear” width is 44 inches.


6. The Department of Justice and the Federal Access Board publishes technical assistance manuals and bulletins from time to time and they too may be consulted for the most current information or help. Here is the newest technical assistance manual about pools.

RCO ADA specialist