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ada regulations

Regulations, Statutes, & Codes – in Terms of Access

Posted on February 14th, 2024

Explore the nuances of ADA and access codes with Janis Kent, Architect. Gain clarity on differences, implementations, and how federal and state regulations interact.

The Elderly – Toilets & Grab Bars – Some Thoughts

Posted on September 12th, 2022

The requirements in the ADA Standards apply to toilets and grab bars used by people for independent use and include medical and long-term care facilities. But in housing that supports seniors such as in nursing facilities and assisted living residential communities, there is also the necessity to provide for assisted-use for toileting needs.

Braille – An Overview for ‘High-Vision’ People & Others

Posted on July 8th, 2022

Braille was originally developed by Charles Barbier, who was interested in alternate writing forms. Some thought it was a code he created that could be used by the army at night.

Service, Support, & Assistive Animals – and California

Posted on September 10th, 2021

There has long been discussion about the differences between Service Animals per the ADA Standards and Support Animals per FHA or even Service Animals under the Air Carrier Access Act. But in California, we like to be different.

Protruding Objects – on a lighter note

Posted on February 4th, 2021

I received an email today from someone at an Administrative Authority enquiring as to my opinion on protruding objects. Apparently they are reviewing a new construction project where the wall sconces are installed at less than 80″ above the finished floor, which is fine, but they project into the hallway more than 4″ which is not fine.

Pop-Up Restaurants and What You Need to Know About Access

Posted on September 12th, 2020

Janis Kent, Architect, FAIA, CASp © September, 2020 With the continuation of our on-going plague, many restaurants are taking their seating area out to the public sidewalks, parking areas, and even onto the streets. While the concept of pop-up restaurants has been around for a while, it has evolved as a temporary outdoor add-on to existing […]

Social Services ADA requirements

Social Service Center Establishments – What Are They?

Posted on March 20th, 2019

I have received a number of questions on how to treat multi-family residential facilities that also have offices and other services, and whether these are considered multi-use facilities. And of course the answer is – it depends.

Access in the built environment - who is it for?

Access — Who is it for?

Posted on January 25th, 2019

Time and again, I find that there is often confusion as to what Access means and who it is for. There is this overlying presumption that it is mostly for people who use wheelchairs. There are many types of disabilities. The question is – what are we doing and for who is it for.

Reflective Parking Signs

Reflectorized Parking Signs – Exactly What is That?

Posted on July 9th, 2018

One of the items that did not seem entirely clear to me was reflective or reflectorized signs for parking, and how do you recognize them, vs glossy or matt signs. At one point I looked for small dots in the signs but many of them seem to be faded with no added benefit that I could discern. And recently I have been seeing the signs with vertical type prism bands. So what is required, what is the difference, and what are we looking for?

service animals and accessiblity

Companion Animals, Service Animals, and Access

Posted on May 18th, 2018

Many times issues come up regarding the presence of animals in public spaces and places of public accommodation. Most building/business owners (hopefully) know enough to allow the service animal in and that they can not ask a person with an animal what their disability is. But the question is – is the animal really a service animal – how can they tell, and which animals are they required to allow to enter the premises?