Deschutes County Assessment

Accessibility Assessment | Deschutes County

Deschutes County Elections
1300 NW Wall St, Suite 200
Bend Oregon 97701

Download a Microsoft Word version of the Assessment

July 13, 2007

Robert W. Pike
President
Environmental Access Inc.

Introduction

Environmental Access, Inc. conducted an onsite visit and survey of the Deschutes County Elections Office for compliance with the ADA Accessibility Guidelines and/or Chapter 11 of the Oregon Structural Specialty Code, the accessibility requirements adopted by the State of Oregon, whichever is more stringent.

The scope of the survey included the accessible route from the public sidewalk and parking, if provided, to the accessible entrance. If the accessible route to the elections office included use of an elevator, the elevator was evaluated. In addition to surveying the public access areas of the elections office, employee and volunteer areas were evaluated. The survey includes an evaluation of the most accessible toilet facilities that serve the elections office.

The purpose of the survey was to identify structural barriers to the county elections office so that the elections office can evaluate and prioritize barrier removal and obtain financial assistance from the HAVA Program to assist with the funding of the removal of these barriers.

The recommendations provided in this report are made to assist the county elections office in identifying and removing structural barriers to its facilities. An evaluation of individual programs, services and activities within a certain facility was not part of this study. This report does not address potential program modifications that may be available to provide program accessibility. Public entities that are subject to Title II of the ADA must conduct an ADA compliance review known as an ADA Self Evaluation. The ADA Self Evaluation must include an evaluation of policies, practices, procedures, programs, employment, and communication as well as an evaluation of facilities for structural accessibility. As part of the ADA Self Evaluation, each public entity is required to develop an ADA Transition Plan to address any structural barriers identified during the ADA Self Evaluation process.

The ADA Compliance Report

Each report has an “Executive Summary” located at the beginning of the report that summarizes all of the recommendations made in the body of the report. The recommendations are prioritized in order of importance using the priorities established by the U.S. Department of Justice for public entities.

The body of the report utilizes three sections for each set of structural barriers identified. The first section is titled “Existing Condition.” The “existing condition” section summarizes the building element or elements that do not comply with either the ADA Accessibility Guidelines or the State of Oregon Building Code whichever is more stringent.

The second section is titled “ADA Accessibility Guidelines.” The “ADA Accessibility Guidelines” section of the report is a summary of the applicable accessibility requirements, including the more stringent Oregon requirements where applicable. A complete copy of the ADA Accessibility Guidelines should be consulted along with the current version of the State of Oregon Building Code prior to making any alterations to the facility.

The third section is titled “Recommendations.” The “recommendations” section provides a recommendation or recommendations for the removal of the architectural barriers identified. This section may also make a recommendation for an alternative to barrier removal or may make a recommendation for a temporary solution.

Digital photographs of non-conforming elements are provided in the report in order to assist with their identification and location within the facility. The photographs are numbered for reference in the body of the report by page and photograph number. Not all non-conforming elements have photographs as many of the elements are clear and straightforward and therefore photographs were not included in the report. Digital camera operator error also caused some photographs to be missing.

Some counties have provided drive-up drop boxes at their county courthouses or at other convenient locations within their county for voters to drive-up and drop their ballots without having to exit their vehicle. These drive-up drop boxes are excellent ways to provide improved access for people with disabilities and seniors. Because of the cost of removing many of the barriers identified during this survey, counties should consider providing these drive-up drop boxes as an alternative.

If, after reviewing the report, there are any questions about the barriers identified or the recommendations made, or any other aspect of the survey or report, please contact Bob Pike at Environmental Access, Inc., (503) 526-9400 or Bobpike@comcast.net

Executive Summary

Accessible Route

Detectable warnings consisting of raised truncated domes should be installed a minimum of 24 inches wide where accessible routes cross vehicular lanes of travel. The accessible route should be modified so that the maximum cross slope is 2 percent.

Parking

The post-mounted signs should be raised so that the bottom edge of the parking signs are a minimum of 84 inches above the ground.

Telephone

The telephone should be lowered and modified so that it is not a protruding object hazard, a table or other element at or below 27 inches would alleviate this hazard. A sign should be provided indicating the location of a TTY.

Signs

Raised letter and Braille signs should be installed with the centerline at 60 inches above the floor on the latch side of the door on all exit doors that have an overhead exit sign. Signs mounted above 80 inches must have letter and character heights a minimum of 3 inches.

Elections Office

The door opening force should be adjusted so that it does not exceed 5 lbs.

Drinking Fountains

Drinking fountain manufacturers sell an accessory element that installs below the standard height drinking fountain to alleviate the protruding object hazard. Unless either the latch or the door closer is removed from the doors to the men’s and women’s toilet rooms, the drinking fountains should be relocated so that they do not impede into the maneuvering clearance on the push side of the doors.

Toilet Rooms

Doors:
The opening force of the toilet room doors should be adjusted so that it does not exceed 5 lbs.

Lavatory:
The feminine hygiene dispenser should be relocated out of the clear floor space of the lavatory and so as not to be a protruding object hazard.

Dispensers:
The toilet seat cover dispensers should be removed from above the side grab bars.

ADA Compliance Report

Accessible Route

Existing Condition — Public Transportation/Public Sidewalk:
The accessible route at N.W. Lafayette Avenue and N.W. Hill Street does not comply; there is no curb separation or detectable warnings where the route crosses the vehicular lane of travel. The accessible route from N.W. Lafayette Avenue has a cross slope greater than 2 percent. The accessible route from the entrance off of Wall Street to the public way crosses vehicular lanes of travel and there are no detectable warnings.

ADA Accessibility Guidelines:
At least one accessible route shall be provided within the boundary of the site from public transportation stops, passenger loading zones, if provided, and public streets and sidewalks, and accessible parking spaces to the accessible entrance to the facility. The accessible route, to the maximum extent possible, shall coincide with the route used by the general public. ADAAG 4.1.2(1) & 4.3.2(1)

An accessible route shall not cross a vehicular lane of travel. If an accessible route crosses or adjoins a vehicular way, and the route is not separated by curbs, railings or other elements between pedestrian areas and vehicular ways, the boundary between the areas shall be defined by a continuous detectable warning 36" wide. ADAAG 4.29.5 & OSSC 1103.2.3.2

Detectable warnings shall consist of raised truncated domes with a diameter of nominal 0.9 inches, a height of nominal 0.2 inches and a center-to-center spacing of nominal 2.35 inches and shall contrast visually from the adjoining surfaces, either light-on-dark, or dark-on-light. ADAAG 4.29.2

An accessible route shall be a minimum 36" wide. The minimum clear headroom on an accessible route shall be 80". The maximum slope allowed on an accessible route is 1:20 with a cross slope no greater 1:50. ADAAG 4.3.3, 4.3.5, 4.3.7 & 4.4.2

Recommendation:
Detectable warnings consisting of raised truncated domes should be provided a minimum of 24 inches wide where accessible routes cross vehicular lanes of travel. The accessible route should be modified so that the maximum cross slope is 2 percent.

Parking

Existing Condition:
The post-mounted parking signs marking the accessible parking spaces are too low; they are mounted at approximately 60 inches to the bottom edge of the sign.

ADA Accessibility Guidelines:
A sign shall be posted for each accessible parking space. The sign shall be clearly visible to a person parking in the space. Signage shall be provided that utilizes the International Symbol of Accessibility with letters a minimum of 1" in height to read: "Parking with DMV Disabled Permit Only. Violators subject to towing under ORS 811.620 and a fine of up to $450.00 under ORS 811.615."

These signs shall be placed on posts with the bottom edge of the sign at least 84" above the parking lot surface. The van accessible parking space shall add the language "van accessible" to the bottom of the designated sign. ORS & ADAAG 4.1.2(7)(a)(b) & 4.6.4

Recommendation:
The post-mounted signs should be raised so that the parking signs are a minimum of 84 inches above the ground.

Telephone

Existing Condition:
The phone located in the lobby of the building is not accessible and it is a protruding object; it is mounted at 60 inches above the finished floor and protrudes 5 inches from the wall. There is no signage indicating where a TTY may be located.

ADA Accessibility Guidelines:
Controls, dispensers, receptacles, or other equipment shall be located within a clear floor space of 30” by 48." A clear floor space of 30" by 48" shall be provided to allow a forward or parallel approach. If a clear floor space allows only a forward approach, the maximum high forward reach shall be 48". If a clear floor space allows a parallel approach, the maximum high side reach shall be 54". Controls and mechanisms shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist to operate. The maximum force allowed to activate controls shall be no greater than 5 lbs. ADAAG 4.2.5, 4.2.6, 4.25.3, 4.27.4 & OBC 1109.2.3

Objects that project from walls and into walks, corridors, passageways or aisles, with their leading edges between 27" and 80" above the finished floor, shall protrude no more than 4". Objects projecting from walls with their leading edges at or below 27" above the finished floor may protrude any amount. Free-standing objects mounted on posts or pylons may overhang a maximum of 12" from 27" to 80" above the finished floor or ground. Protruding objects shall not reduce the required clear width of an accessible route. ADAAG 4.4 & OBC 1109.5

Recommendation:
The phone should be lowered and modified so that it is not a protruding object hazard, a table or other element at or below 27 inches would alleviate this hazard. A sign should be provided indicating where a TTY is located for use.

Signs

Existing Condition:
There are overhead signs on the second floor of the building that do not comply, including the sign above the county clerk’s office door. These signs are mounted above 80 inches and the letters on the signs are not a minimum of 3 inches. None of the permanent rooms and spaces on the second floor, including the county clerk’s office has raised letter and Braille signs. There are exit doors in the building that are marked with overhead “Exit” signs, but these exits are not marked with raised letter and Braille exit signs.

ADA Accessibility Guidelines:
Characters and numbers on such signs shall be sized according to the viewing distance from which they are to be read, except for signs higher than 80" above the finished floor, which shall have a minimum height of 3". The characters and background of signs shall be a non-glare finish. Characters and symbols shall contrast with their background, light-on-dark or dark-on-light. ADAAG 4.1.2(7), 4.1.3(16)(b), 4.30.2, 4.30.3, 4.30.5 and OSSC 1108.4.12.2

Signs which designate permanent rooms and spaces, shall be raised and provide Braille characters and pictograms. Letters and numbers shall be raised 1/32" and shall be accompanied by Grade 2 Braille. Raised character height shall be a minimum 5/8" and a maximum of 2". Pictograms shall be accompanied by the equivalent verbal description placed directly below the pictogram. The border dimension of the pictogram shall be 6" minimum in height. The characters and background of signs shall be a non-glare finish. Characters and symbols shall contrast with their background, light-on-dark or dark-on-light. The identification for rooms and spaces shall be mounted on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door. Where there is no wall space to the latch side of the door, including at double leaf doors, signs shall be placed on the nearest adjacent wall.

Mounting height shall be 60" above the finished floor to the centerline of the sign. Such signage shall allow a person to approach within 3" without encountering protruding objects or standing within the swing of the door. ADAAG 4.1.2(7), 4.1.3(16)(a) & 4.30.4, 5, 6 & OBC 1108.4.12.2

Recommendation:
Raised letter and Braille signs should be installed 60 inches on center on the latch side of the door on all exit doors that have an overhead exit sign.

Elections Office

Existing Condition:
The opening force on the doors to the elections office is greater than 5 lbs. and is as much as 10 lbs.

ADA Accessibility Guidelines:
Doors into accessible spaces and areas shall provide a minimum clear space of 32", provide lever-operated door hardware, and have a door opening force no greater than 5 lbs. ADAAG 4.3.3, 4.13.5, 4.13.6 & 4.13.11

Recommendation:
The door opening force should be adjusted so that it does not exceed 5 lbs.

Drinking Fountains

Existing Condition:
The dual height drinking fountains located on the first and second floors between the men’s and women’s toilet rooms are protruding object hazards; they protrude 12 inches at 34 inches above the floor. These dual height drinking fountains are also located within the men and women’s toilet room door’s maneuvering clearances.

ADA Accessibility Guidelines:
Objects that project from walls and into walks, corridors, passageways or aisles, with their leading edges between 27" and 80" above the finished floor, shall protrude no more than 4". Objects projecting from walls with their leading edges at or below 27" above the finished floor may protrude any amount. Free-standing objects mounted on posts or pylons may overhang a maximum of 12" from 27" to 80" above the finished floor or ground. Protruding objects shall not reduce the required clear width of an accessible route. ADAAG 4.4 & OBC 1103.2.4.8

On the pull side of the door, there must be a maneuvering clearance at least 60” deep and with a minimum of 18" of maneuvering clearance on the latch side of the door. On the push side of the door, there must be a maneuvering clearance at least 48” deep and with a minimum of 12” of maneuvering clearance on the latch side of the door if the door has a latch and closer. The floor or ground area within the required clearances shall be level and clear. ADAAG 4.13.6 & OBC 1109.9.3

Recommendation:
The drinking fountain manufacturers sell an accessory that installs on the standard height drinking fountain to alleviate the protruding object hazard. Unless either the latch or the closer is removed from the doors to the men’s and women’s toilet rooms, the drinking fountains should be relocated so that they do not impede into the maneuvering clearance on the push side of the doors.

Toilet Rooms

Existing Condition — Doors:
The entrance doors to the men’s and women’s toilet rooms on the first and second floor have door opening pressures that exceed 5 lbs. and range between 8 lbs. and 10 lbs.

Recommendation — Doors:
The opening force of the toilet room doors should be adjusted so that it does not exceed 5 lbs.

Existing Condition — Lavatory:
In the women’s toilet rooms on the first and second floors, the feminine hygiene dispenser is mounted so as to obstruct the clear floor space of the lavatory and is a protruding object hazard; it protrudes 7 inches at 40 inches above the finished floor.

ADA Accessibility Guidelines:
Lavatories shall be mounted with the rim or counter surface no higher than 34" above the finished floor. A clearance a minimum of 29" shall be provided from the floor to the bottom of the apron. Knee clearance a minimum of 27" high, 30" wide, and 19" deep shall be provided under the bowl. A clear floor space 30" by 48" shall be provided in front of the lavatory to allow a forward approach. ADAAG 4.19.2 & 4.19.3

Recommendation — Lavatory:
The feminine hygiene dispenser should be relocated out of the clear floor space of the lavatory and so as not to be a protruding object hazard.

Existing Condition — Dispensers:
The toilet seat cover dispensers are flush-mounted above the side grab bar in the men’s and women’s toilet rooms on the first and second floors and do not have a minimum radius of 1/8 inch.

ADA Accessibility Guidelines:
Dispensers and receptacles shall be installed so that they do not interfere with the use of the grab bars. A grab bar and any wall or other surface adjacent to it shall be free of any sharp or abrasive elements. Edges shall have a minimum radius of 1/8 inch. ADAAG 4.26.4 & OSSC 1109.10.5.5

Recommendation — Dispensers:
The toilet seat cover dispensers should be removed from above the side grab bars.