Accessibility Assessment | Jefferson County
Introduction
Jefferson County Elections Office
66 SE “D” Street Suite C
Madras Oregon 97741
Download a Microsoft Word version of the Assessment
May 25, 2004
Robert W. Pike
President
Environmental Access Inc.
On May 20, 2004, Environmental Access, Inc. conducted an onsite visit and survey of the Jefferson County Elections Office for compliance with the ADA Accessibility Guidelines and Chapter 11 of the Oregon Structural Specialty Code, the accessibility requirements adopted by the State of Oregon.
Most election offices were located in their county courthouse. Therefore most of the surveys involved an evaluation of a portion of a larger facility. 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 also included an evaluation of the most accessible toilet facilities that served the elections office.
The purpose of the survey was to identify structural barriers to the county elections office so that the elections offices 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.
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 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.
Photographs of barriers are provided in the appendix section of the report, which is located at the back of the report. The photographs are numbered and referenced in the body of the report by appendix page and photograph number. Not all barriers have photographs as many are clear and straightforward and therefore photographs were not included in the appendix of the report. New 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.
Executive Summary
Parking
The parking space signs should be raised to 84 inches above the ground.
Entrances
Rear Entrance:
The door opening force should be adjusted so that it is no greater than 8-1/2 lbs. A raised letter and Braille exit sign should be installed on the latch side of the door, centered at 60 inches above the floor.
Front Entrance:
The door opening force should be adjusted so that it is no greater than 8-1/2 lbs. A raised letter and Braille exit sign should be installed on the latch side of the door, centered at 60 inches above the floor. The door threshold should be repaired.
Gate at Elections:
The gate should be modified to swing in both directions.
Counters
A 36-inch section of the counter should be lowered to a maximum of 34 inches above the floor. In the interim, a clipboard or accessible table should be utilized.
Toilet Rooms
Men’s:
The door pressure should be reduced to a maximum of 5 lbs. An accessible paper towel dispenser should be installed and the inaccessible dispenser should be relocated so that it is not a protruding object hazard. The toilet paper dispenser should be located a maximum of 36 inches from the back wall. The entrance door swing should be reversed so that the door is out-swinging.
Women’s:
The door pressure should be reduced to a maximum of 5 lbs. An accessible paper towel dispenser should be installed and the inaccessible dispenser should be relocated so that it is not a protruding object hazard. The toilet paper dispenser should be located a maximum of 36 inches from the back wall. The flush control should be relocated to the open side of the stall or an automatic flush device should be installed on the water closet. The entrance door swing should be reversed so that the door is out-swinging.
Drinking Fountains
A dual height drinking fountain should be installed, in the interim a paper cup dispenser and waste basket should be provided at the inaccessible drinking fountain.
ADA Compliance Report
Parking
Existing Condition — Parking:
There are two disabled parking spaces provided in the parking lot at the rear of the building. Two 9-foot wide parking spaces share a common 8-foot wide access aisle. The slope on the accessible parking spaces and access aisles exceeds 2 percent and is greater than 4.5 percent. The signs are post-mounted at 58 inches above the ground.
ADA Accessibility Guidelines:
Two accessible parking spaces are provided. One space is required to be "van accessible." A van accessible space must provide a 108" parking space, a vertical clearance of 98", and a 96" wide access aisle under Oregon Law. The access aisle shall be located on the passenger side of the van accessible parking space. The second and subsequent spaces must have a 108" wide parking space, a vertical clearance of 80", and a minimum 72" wide access aisle. Two parking spaces may share a common 96" wide access aisle. ADAAG 4.1.2(5)(a)(b) & 4.6.5
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
If these signs are placed on posts then they shall be placed 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
The pavement of each accessible parking space shall be clearly marked with the International Symbol of Accessibility. The symbol shall be a minimum of 29" in height and a minimum of 24" in width. The width of the symbol striping shall be 4".
No ramp or other obstruction may extend into an accessible parking space or the adjacent access aisle.
Accessible parking spaces must measure at least 17' in length. ORS 447.233
Parking spaces and access aisles shall have a maximum slope of 1:50 (2%) in all directions. ADAAG 4.6.3
Recommendation:
The parking space signs should be raised to 84 inches above the ground.
Entrances
Existing Condition — Rear Entrance:
The door opening force exceeds 8-1/2 lbs. and is greater than 12 lbs. There is an exit sign over the door on the inside, there is no raised letter and Braille exit sign provided.
Existing Condition — Front Entrance:
The door opening force exceeds 8-1/2 lbs. and is greater than 12 lbs. There is an exit sign over the door on the inside, there is no raised letter and Braille exit sign provided. The door threshold is chipped and exceeds ½ inch and is not beveled. (See Appendix Page 2, Photo. # 1)
Existing Condition — Gate at Elections Counter:
There is a gate at the elections counter. There is no 18-inch latch side pull side clearance. (See Appendix Page 2, Photo. # 2)
ADA Accessibility Guidelines:
At each accessible entrance, at least one door shall be accessible. ADAAG 4.1.3(7)(a)
Out-swinging entrance doors with a front approach shall have a minimum 5' long landing and it shall extend a minimum of 18" beyond the latch side of the door. The floor or ground area within the required clearances shall be level and clear. ADAAG 4.13.6
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
Maximum threshold height shall be 1/2". Raised thresholds shall be beveled with a slope no greater than 1:2. If existing thresholds are 3/4" or less, and have a beveled edge on each side, they are acceptable. ADAAG 4.1.6(3)(d)(ii) & 4.13.8
The maximum force allowed for opening an exterior door shall not exceed 8-1/2 lbs. The maximum force allowed for opening an interior door shall not exceed 5 lbs. Chapter 11 & ADAAG 4.13.11
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
Recommendation — Rear Entrance:
The door opening force should be adjusted so that it is no greater than 8-1/2 lbs. A raised letter and Braille exit sign should be installed on the latch side of the door, centered at 60 inches above the floor.
Recommendation — Gate at Elections:
The gate should be modified to swing in both directions.
Recommendation — Front Entrance:
The door opening force should be adjusted so that it is no greater than 8-1/2 lbs. A raised letter and Braille exit sign should be installed on the latch side of the door, centered at 60 inches above the floor. The door threshold should be repaired.
Counter
Existing Condition:
There is a main counter that is located at 44 inches above the finished floor; there is no lower section. (See Appendix Page 3, Photo. # 3)
ADA Accessibility Guidelines:
If seating for people in wheelchairs is provided at tables or counters, knee spaces at least 27" high, 30" wide, and 19" deep shall be provided. The tops of accessible tables and counters shall be from 28" to 34" above the finished floor. ADAAG 4.32.3 & 4
In all areas where business transactions occur with the general public, such as department stores and retail stores where counters have cash registers and are provided for sales or distribution of goods or services to the public, a portion of the counter, a minimum of 36" in length, and a maximum of 36" above the finished floor shall be provided. Accessible counters, if provided, must be dispersed throughout the building or facility. Counters must be located on an accessible route. ADAAG 7.2
At ticketing counters, teller stations in a bank, registration counters in hotels and motels, box-office ticket counters, and other counters that may not have a cash register, but at which goods and services are sold or distributed, a portion of the main counter, which is a minimum of 36" in length and a maximum of 36" in height shall be provided. An auxiliary counter with a maximum height of 36" in close proximity to the main counter may be provided. As an alternative, a folding shelf attached to the main counter or the use of the space on the side of the counter or a desk may be utilized. ADAAG 7.2
Recommendation:
A 36-inch section of the counter should be lowered to a maximum of 34 inches above the floor. In the interim, a clipboard or accessible table should be utilized.
Toilet Rooms
There are men’s and women’s toilet rooms provided. The following deficiencies were identified.
Existing Condition — Men’s:
The door opening force is 10 lbs. The toilet room does not have a 5 foot turning diameter. The sinks do not provide adequate toe and knee space; the sink provides 28 inches of knee clearance under the counter. The paper towel dispenser is not accessible, it requires tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist to operate. The paper towel dispenser is a protruding object hazard, it protrudes 9 inches at 44 inches above the finished floor. The accessible toilet stall is 57 inches long with a floor mounted water closet. The centerline of the water closet is 17 inches from the sidewall. The toilet paper dispenser is mounted more than 36 inches from the back wall. (See Appendix Pages 3 & 4, Photos. # 4 & 5)
Existing Condition — Women’s:
The door opening force is 10 lbs. The toilet room does not have a 5 foot turning diameter. The sinks do not provide adequate toe and knee space; the sink provides 28 inches of knee clearance under the counter. The paper towel dispenser is not accessible, it requires tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist to operate. The paper towel dispenser is a protruding object hazard, it protrudes 9 inches at 44 inches above the finished floor. The accessible toilet stall is 57 inches long with a floor mounted water closet. The flush control is mounted on the wrong side of the water closet. The toilet paper dispenser is mounted more than 36 inches from the back wall. (See Appendix Pages 3, 4 & 5, Photos. # 4, 5 & 6)
ADA Accessibility Guidelines:
If toilet rooms are provided in a facility, then each public and common use facility shall be accessible. Accessible toilet room facilities shall be located on an accessible route.
ADAAG 4.1.2(6) & 4.22.1
An unobstructed turning space is required in toilet rooms. This space shall be either a 60" diameter circle or a T-shaped space 60" square with 36" legs. ADAAG 4.2.3, 4.22.3 & 4.23.3
Doors into accessible toilet rooms shall provide a minimum of 32" clear space, provide lever-operated door hardware, and have a door opening force no greater than 5 lbs. Doors shall not swing into the clear floor space within the toilet room. ADAAG 4.22.2 & 4.23.2
At least one toilet stall shall be accessible in a toilet room. An accessible toilet stall shall have the following dimensions:
Accessible Stall: Minimum width: 60"
Minimum depth: 59” with a floor mounted water closet.
Minimum depth: 56” with a wall mounted water closet.
Water closets shall be located 18" from the sidewall or partition. The toilet seat height shall be located between 17" and 19" above the finished floor. ADAAG 4.16.3
Controls, dispensers, receptacles, or other equipment provided in the toilet room shall be located optimally at 48" above the finished floor. 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, 4.23.7, 4.25.3 & 4.27.4
Toilet paper dispensers shall be installed on the sidewall, below the grab bar, a minimum 19" above the finished floor and a maximum 36" from the rear wall. Toilet paper dispensers that control delivery or do not allow continuous paper flow shall not be used. ADAAG 4.16.6
If lavatories are provided, then at least one shall be accessible. ADAAG 4.22.6 & 4.23.6
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
Hot water and drainpipes under lavatories shall be insulated or otherwise designed to protect against contact. ADAAG 4.19.4
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
Recommendation — Men’s:
The door pressure should be reduced to a maximum of 5 lbs. An accessible paper towel dispenser should be installed and the inaccessible dispenser should be relocated so that it is not a protruding object hazard. The toilet paper dispenser should be located a maximum of 36 inches from the back wall. The entrance door swing should be reversed so that the door is out-swinging.
Recommendation — Women’s:
The door pressure should be reduced to a maximum of 5 lbs. An accessible paper towel dispenser should be installed and the inaccessible dispenser should be relocated so that it is not a protruding object hazard. The toilet paper dispenser should be located a maximum of 36 inches from the back wall. The flush control should be relocated to the open side of the stall or an automatic flush device should be installed on the water closet. The entrance door swing should be reversed so that the door is out-swinging.
Drinking Fountains
Existing Condition:
There is a drinking fountain near the toilet rooms, it is a single height drinking fountain.
(See Appendix Page 5, Photo. # 7)
ADA Accessibility Guidelines:
Where only one drinking fountain is provided per floor, accessible drinking facilities shall be provided for wheelchair users and for persons who have difficulty bending or stooping. This may be accomplished by utilizing a "hi-lo" drinking fountain design with spouts at wheelchair and standard height. ADAAG 4.1.3(10)(a)
An accessible drinking fountain shall provide a spout no higher than 36" above the floor or ground. The spout shall be located at the front of the drinking fountain. The spout shall provide a flow of water at least 4" high so as to allow the insertion of a cup or glass under the flow of water. Controls shall be located at the front or side mounted near the front edge. Controls shall be operable with one hand and shall not require tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist. The maximum force required to operate the controls shall be no greater than 5 lbs. ADAAG 4.15.2, 3, & 4 & 4.27.4
Wall- or post-mounted cantilevered fountains shall have a clear knee space a minimum of 27" high, 30" wide, and 17" to 19" deep. A minimum clear floor space 30" by 48" allowing a forward approach to the drinking fountain shall be provided. ADAAG 4.15.5(1)
Free-standing or built-in units not having clear knee space shall have a minimum of 30" by 48" clear floor space allowing a parallel approach to the drinking fountain. ADAAG 4.15.5(2)
Recommendation:
A dual height drinking fountain should be installed, in the interim a paper cup dispenser and waste basket should be provided at the inaccessible drinking fountain.