36 CFR Parts 1190 and 1191 ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines - Preamble (Discussion of Comments and Changes)

Comment. The proposed rule referred to ambulatory accessible compartments as "non-wheelchair accessible" compartments. Commenters considered this term confusing since it also encompasses inaccessible compartments. Preference was expressed for "ambulatory accessible" compartments, the term used by the advisory committee.

Response. The term "non-wheelchair accessible" compartments has been replaced with "ambulatory accessible" compartments.

Ambulatory accessible compartments were specified to be 36 inches wide absolute in the proposed rule, consistent with the original ADAAG. Throughout the new guidelines, the Board has sought to specify dimensions as a range instead of in absolute terms where practicable to facilitate compliance without compromising accessibility. The width of ambulatory compartments is specified to ensure that the grab bars required on both sides are simultaneously within reach. In the final rule, the Board has replaced the 36 inch wide specification with a range of 35 to 37 inches.