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Introduction


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Accessibility Assessment | Wasco County

Introduction

Wasco County Elections Office
511 Washington Street  Room 201
The Dalles  Oregon 97058

Download a Microsoft Word version of the Assessment

May 5, 2004

Robert W. Pike
President
Environmental Access Inc.

On April 13, 2004, Environmental Access, Inc. conducted an onsite visit and survey of the Tillamook 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 and access aisle should be re-striped so that they are in compliance. 

Accessible Routes

Parking
The access aisle of the parking space should be connected through the parking lot with a crosswalk and detectable warnings.

Public Sidewalk:
Handrails should be installed on each side of the walkway from the public sidewalk to the accessible entrance.

Entrances

Accessible Rear Entrance:
The area under the door-opening button should be leveled or the door-opening button should be relocated to a level area.

Other Exterior Entrances:
Directional signs utilizing the International Symbol of Access should be provided at inaccessible entrances indicating the location of the accessible entrance.

Elections Entrance:
The doors should be replaced with a door that provides a minimum 32-inch clear opening width. The round doorknobs should be replaced with accessible door hardware. The door opening force should be reduced to a maximum of 5 lbs.   Raised letter and Braille signage should be installed on the latch side of the door, centered at 60 inches above the floor.

Interior Entrances:
The double doors without adequate clearance should be replaced with a door that provides the minimum 32-inch clear opening width. Doors with round doorknobs should be replaced with accessible hardware.

Counters

A portion of the main counter should be lowered so that it is a maximum of 34 inches above the floor and the full width of the counter.

Toilet Rooms

Men’s:
The door threshold should be beveled. The paper towel dispenser should be replaced with an accessible dispenser and mounted so that it is not a protruding object hazard. The urinal shield should be moved so that there is a minimum of 30 inches between the shield and the wall. The toilet seat cover dispenser should be relocated from above the grab bar. The toilet paper dispenser should be relocated so that it is a maximum of 36 inches from the back wall.

Women’s:
The door threshold should be beveled. The paper towel dispenser should be lowered to a maximum of 48 inches above the floor and mounted so that it is not a protruding object hazard. The shelf should be removed or relocated so that it is not a protruding object hazard. The toilet seat cover dispenser should be relocated from above the grab bar. The toilet paper dispenser should be relocated so that it is a maximum of 36 inches from the back wall.