ADA sidewalk requirements

Title 3 of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) of 1990 was written to make places open to the public also accessible to the disabled. ADA sidewalk requirements are meant to assist those with disabilities to have an “accessible path” that gives them equal access to all public locations equivalent with those who are not disabled. These requirements apply to city, school and public park sidewalks as well as walkways on private property that are open to the public.

ADA sidewalk requirements primarily deal with creating a surface and slope that accommodate the disabled. This means removing any lift or gap of ¼ inch or more. It requires a slope of 1 to 12 (1 inch of rise for every 12 inches of run) and a recommends a smooth surface. ADA sidewalk requirements also require a minimum sidewalk width of 4 feet and include the use of curb ramps with specifications for landings and detectable warnings where the sidewalk connects with roads and parking areas.

ADA sidewalk guidelines 2017, 2016, 2015...

The ADA sidewalk guidelines have been revised and updated several times including major revisions in 2010 that significantly expanded the definition of the disabled. PRECISION Trip Hazard Removal has been following these updates since 2001 to insure our sidewalk inspections and repair work is always 100% ADA compliant.

Properties built before 1992, if they have not been modified since could claim an exception to being ADA compliant unless the fixes could be achieved without much difficulty or expense. A court would decide on a case by case basis what is difficult or expensive depending upon the abilities and revenue of the organization managing the sidewalks.

Rather than risk an ADA compliance lawsuit or a trip and fall injury that triggers a settlement or lawsuit, repairing hazards on your walkway and improving their ADA compliance is much less expensive. Many organizations fear doing any inspections or repairs with the false idea that ignorance, or the financial inability to do all repairs at once will limit their liability. This has not historically been an effective defense in ADA or personal injury lawsuits.

Get an ADA compliant sidewalk

The most effective strategy is to show due diligence by having documentation of regular sidewalk inspections, and a plan of repairing the most egregious hazards or ADA compliance issues. Showing that your organization is consistently making progress towards greater and greater ADA compliance makes a stronger defense in the case of a lawsuit or injury.

PRECISION provides the most thorough sidewalk inspection programs, typically uncovering 30% more risks and ADA compliance issue that less experienced inspectors would miss. The inspections produce a well-documented report with all hazards mapped out in GIS data along with suggested fixes and costs to do so. PRECISION offers a unique horizontal concrete slicing process that is 100% ADA compliant and can repair ADA compliance issues that otherwise would require full replacement of the concrete panels.

Start on your path towards improved ADA compliance by getting a sidewalk inspection today.

Get a quote