Ensuring ADA Compliance

Download the Ensuring ADA Compliance Document

The Project Design Professional is responsible for implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act, specifically the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (“ADAAG”) as adopted by the Department of Justice; and, shall engage the services of an independent Accessibility Consultant to review all design and construction documents for compliance with both the ADA and the applicable edition of the IBC family of building codes as currently enforced by the Pa. Dept. of L&I. In cases of conflicts between the ADA and the IBC codes, the most stringent requirement or guideline of the two shall be incorporated into the design. Variance requests must be submitted to the assigned WCU Project Manager and approved by same prior to submittal to L&I for consideration.  

For all projects, in addition to meeting the above referenced codes and standards, project-specific goals identified by the University to enhance and improve the accessibility of the campus and its buildings must be considered and incorporated. No modification may be undertaken that makes the campus lessaccessible.

  1. If current existing accessible routes will be impacted by a construction project, design professionals shall include design documentation for the construction of ADA compliant temporary accessible routes around construction sites to permanent or temporary ADA compliant entrances to adjacent occupied public buildings. Design professionals shall design temporary ADA compliant directional signage to facilitate use of temporary accessible routes.
    Design professionals shall include the demolition and removal of temporary accessible route features, including signage, when the permanent accessible routes become available to the public. Execution of the work, including signage, is to be performed by the contractor. Temporary access routes shall be in place prior to the closing/demolition of permanent ones.
  2. Design and Procedural Guidelines: The University requires all new or renovation projects is to provide accessible facilities in areas served by accessible entries and along accessible routes, and to provide those entries and routes whenever feasible as part of the project; and, to meet project-specific accessibility goals:
  • Connection of the new or existing building with the existing campus accessible routes
  • Modification of existing entrances to provide accessible routes, if applicable
  • ingress/egress including inclusion of additional HC ramps or electronic door opening devices
  • Access to primary function spaces in the new/renovated building
  • Access to accessible toilet facilities in the new/renovated building
  • Access to all public services in the new/renovated building
  • Identification of existing non-compliant conditions as related to the project.  For any project with exterior component(s) or features such as exterior ramps, project shall include the appropriate site restoration to be undertaken after completion of the project.
  • Parking including code required signage, van accessible requirements
  • Curb ramps, curb cuts & accessible routes including tactile surface requirements and hand railings
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