Living at the Emergency Shelter
G. Sleeping Areas
Each accessible sleeping area needs to be on an accessible route connecting it to other activity areas in the shelter, including toilet rooms and bathing areas. An accessible route with adequate circulation and maneuvering space provides access in the sleeping areas for people who use wheelchairs or scooters and this route serves each accessible bed or cot.
Accessible cots have a sleeping surface at approximately the same height above the floor as the seat of a wheelchair (17 to 19 inches above the floor). When placed in several sections of the sleeping area, individuals who use a wheelchair, scooter, or other mobility device will be able to sleep near their family or other companions. An accessible route is needed to provide access to each accessible cot and a clear space at least 36 inches wide is needed along the side of the cot to make it possible to transfer between the mobility device and the cot. A preferred location for accessible cots is to have one side against a wall. This helps to stabilize the cot and the wall can act as a backrest when the person sits up on the cot.
G1. Is there an accessible route, at least 36 inches wide, that connects each sleeping area with other shelter activity areas?
Yes
No
Note: it may narrow to 32 inches wide for up to 2 feet in length. [ADA Standards § 4.3.2(3)]
G2. Is the accessible route free of steps and abrupt level changes over 1/2 inch?
Yes
No
Note: level changes between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch should be beveled). [ADA Standards §§ 4.1.3(1), 4.3.8]
Note: Although the facility survey cannot check the accessibility of the cots because they will not be installed until the shelter is in use, planning for setting up the sleeping area and for arranging the cots and mats should include providing space for an accessible route and clear floor space at each accessible cot. Cots used by people who are blind or who have low vision should be in an easily locatable area.
H. Restrooms and Showers
At least one set of toilet rooms serving the shelter must be accessible to individuals who use a wheelchair, scooter, or other mobility device. In large shelters where more than one set of toilet rooms is needed to serve the occupants, it may be necessary to provide additional accessible toilet facilities or to establish policies to assure that individuals with disabilities have access to the accessible facilities.
H1. If a sign is provided at the toilet room entrance (e.g. Men, Women, Boys, Girls, etc.), is a sign with raised characters and Braille mounted on the wall adjacent to the latch? [ADA Standards § 4.30.6]
Yes
No
If No, install a sign with raised characters and Braille on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door and centered 60 inches above the floor and leave the existing sign in place on the door if removing it will damage the door.
Note: an additional sign may be mounted on the toilet room door but this cannot be considered to be the accessible sign which must be mounted on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door.
H2. Does the door to the toilet room provide at least 32 inches clear passage width when the door is open 90 degrees? [ADA Standards § 4.13.5]
Yes
No
H3. Is the hardware (e.g., lever, pull, panic bar) usable with one hand without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist? [ADA Standards § 4.13.9]
Yes
No
If No, can the door be propped open without compromising privacy, or can the hardware be modified by adding new accessible hardware, or adapting or replacing hardware?
H4. On the pull side of the door, is there at least 18 inches clearance provided on the latch side if the door is not automatic or power-operated? [ADA Standards § 4.13.6, Fig. 25]
Yes
No
H5. If there is a raised threshold, is it no higher than 3/4 inch at the door and beveled on both sides? [ADA Standards §§ 4.1.6(3)(d)(ii), 4.13.8]
Yes
No
NA
If No, replace threshold with one with beveled sides or add a sloped insert.
H6. If the entry has a vestibule, is there a 30-inch by 48-inch clear floor space inside the vestibule where a wheelchair or scooter user can be outside the door swing? [ADA Standards § 4.13.7]
Yes
No
If No, possible solutions include leaving the inner door open or removing the outer door.
H7. Inside the toilet room, is there an area where a person who uses a wheelchair or other mobility device can turn around - either at least 60-inch diameter circle or a “T”-shaped turn area as shown in the figures below? [ADA Standards §§ 4.22.3; 4.2.3]
Yes
No
Minimum spaces for turning
H8. If lavatories are provided, does at least one have at least a 29 inch high clearance under the front apron with the top of the rim no more than 34 inches above the floor? [ADA Standards § 4.19.2]
Yes
No
H9. Are the drain and hot water pipes for this lavatory insulated or otherwise configured to protect against contact? [ADA Standards § 4.19.4]
Yes
No
H10. Does this lavatory have controls that operate easily with one hand, without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist? [ADA Standards § 4.19.5]
Yes
No
H11. If mirrors are provided, is the bottom of the reflecting surface for the mirror at this lavatory no higher than 40 inches above the floor or is a full length mirror provided? [ADA Standards § 4.19.6]
Yes
No
H12. For at least one of each type of dispenser, receptacle, or equipment, is there clear floor space at least 30 inches wide x 48 inches long adjacent to the control or dispenser (positioned either parallel to the control or dispenser or in front of it)? [ADA Standards §§ 4.23.7; 4.27.2; 4.2.5 and Fig 5; 4.2.6 and Fig 6]
Yes
No
H13. Is the operating control (switch, lever, button, or pull) of at least one of each type of dispenser or built-in equipment no higher than 54 inches above the floor (if there is clear floor space for a parallel approach) or 48 inches (if there is clear floor space for a front approach)? [ADA Standards §§ 4.23.7; 4.27.3; 4.2.5 and Fig 5; 4.2.6 and Fig 6]
Yes
No
H14. Are all built-in dispensers, receptacles, or equipment mounted so the front does not extend more than 4 inches from the wall if the bottom edge is between 27 inches and 80 inches above the floor? [ADA Standards §§ 4.23.7; 4.27; 4.4.1; Fig. 8]
Yes
No
Toilet Stalls
H15. Is at least one wide toilet stall provided with an out swinging door, side and rear grab bars, and clear space next to the toilet? [ADA Standards § 4.17]
Yes
No
If No, check to see if another toilet room provides a wide accessible toilet stall, note its location for shelter planners, and answer all toilet room questions with respect to that toilet room.
H16. Is the toilet stall at least 60 inches wide and 56 inches deep (wall mounted toilet) or 59 inches deep (floor mounted toilet)? [ADA Standards § 4.17.3]
Yes
No
If No, note the width and depth of the stall. _________________
H17. Is at least 9 inches of toe clearance provided under the front wall and at least one side wall of the toilet stall? [ADA Standards § 4.17.4]
Yes
No
H18. Is the centerline of the toilet 18 inches from the adjacent side wall? [ADA Standards § 4.16.2; 4.17.3]
Yes
No
H19. Is the top of the toilet seat 17 inches to 19 inches above the floor? [ADA Standards § 4.16.3]
Yes
No
H20. Is the flush valve located on the wide side adjacent to the lavatory or is an automatic flush valve provided? [ADA Standards § 4.16.5]
Yes
No
H21. Is a horizontal grab bar at least 40 inches long securely mounted on the adjacent side wall 33 to 36 inches above the floor with one end no more than 12 inches from the back wall 33 to 36 inches above the floor? [ADA Standards § 4.16.4; 4.17.6]
Yes
No
H22. Is a second horizontal grab bar at least 36 inches long securely mounted on the back wall with one end no more than 6 inches from the side wall 33 to 36 inches above the floor? [ADA Standards § 4.16.4; 4.17.6]
Yes
No
H23. Is the door to the toilet stall located diagonally opposite, not directly in front of, the toilet or on the opposite side wall from the wall with the long grab bar? [ADA Standards § 4.17.3]
Yes
No
H24. Unless the wide stall is located at the end of a row of toilet stalls, does the door to this wider stall open out? [ADA Standards § 4.17.3]
Yes
No
H25. Is the clear width of the door at least 32 inches (measured between the face of the door and the edge of the opening) when the door is open 90 degrees? [ADA Standards § 4.13.5]
Yes
No
H26. If there are 6 or more stalls in the restroom, is one of those stalls (in addition to the wider stall noted above) exactly 36 inches wide with an out swinging stall door that provides at least 32 inches of clear width? [ADA Standards § 4.22.4]
Yes
No
H27. Does this 36-inch wide stall have horizontal grab bars on both of the side partitions that are at least 36 inches long and 33 to 36 inches above the floor? [ADA Standards § 4.22.4]
Yes
No
H28. Is the surface of the toilet seat in this 36-inch-wide stall 17 to 19 inches above the floor? [ADA Standards §§ 4.16.3; 4.22.4]
Yes
No
H29. If a coat hook is provided is it mounted no higher than 54 inches above the floor for a side approach or 48 inches above the floor for a front approach? [ADA Standards § 4.25.3]
Yes
No
Note: For many emergency shelters, evacuees are not expected to use shower or bathing facilities due to the short period they may stay at the shelter. If planning for the shelter operation includes offering shower or bathing facilities, then those facilities should be on an accessible route and checked for accessibility. For information on the requirements for accessible showers or bathtubs see the ADA Standards for Accessible Design which is available online at www.ada.gov.
Accessible Shower Stall
Minimum Size and Clearances
Accessible Shower Stall Grab Bars
and Seat, Shower, and Control Area
I. Public Telephones
When public telephones are provided, then one or more accessible public telephones should be provided in areas serving shelter activity and service areas. Whenever accessible telephones are provided, each should be on an accessible route. In shelters it is common to provide additional telephones on tables or desks and some of these telephones should be accessible.
A text telephone (also commonly known as a TTY) is a device that allows individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have a speech disability to communicate over a telephone. Having at least one TTY in any building that has at least four pay phones, provides access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
I1. If at least one public telephone or one bank of telephones is provided, does at least one of each type of telephone (e.g., pay telephone, intercom telephone, other telephone) have the following?
Yes
No
I1a. For a side approach (clear floor space at least 30 inches long x 48 inches wide), is the coin slot no higher than 54 inches above the floor? [ADA Standards § 4.31.2, Fig. 44 (a)]
Yes
No
I1b. For a front approach (where clear floor space at least 30 inches wide x 48 inches long), is the coin slot no higher than 48 inches above the floor? [ADA Standards § 4.31.2, Fig. 44 (b)]
Yes
No
I2. Does the phone have volume controls? [ADA Standards § 4.31.5]
Yes
No
I3. If three or more telephones are located in one bank serving the shelter, are a shelf and an electrical outlet provided at one telephone for use of a portable TTY? [ADA Standards § 4.31.9 (2)]
Yes
No
I4. If four or more pay telephones are provided on the site, is there a TTY (text telephone) provided at the shelter?
Yes
No
If yes, location_______________
I5. Is there a sign at each pay phone or pay phone bank for the shelter directing people to the nearest TTY? [ADA Standards § 4.30.7 (3); 4.31.9(3)]
Yes
No
J. Drinking Fountains
Approximately 50% of the drinking fountains serving the shelter must be accessible and located on an accessible route. Accessible drinking fountains must have enough space for a person using a wheelchair, scooter, or other mobility device to use the drinking fountain. The spout and controls of the drinking fountain must be near the front edge. The controls must be usable with one hand without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist. The other 50% of drinking fountains serving the shelter must be configured for use by people who have difficulty bending or stooping while standing.
When an object, such as a drinking fountain, protrudes more than four inches into the circulation path, the bottom edge must be at 27 inches above the floor or lower so the drinking fountain is not a hazard to people who are blind or have low vision.
The following questions apply to 50% of the drinking fountains that are provided.
J1. If the drinking fountain is a wall-mounted unit, is there clear floor space at least 30 inches wide (36 inches if it is in an alcove) x 48 inches long in front of the drinking fountain and at least 27 inches high under the fountain so that a person using a wheelchair can get close to the spout and controls? [ADA Standards § 4.15.5 (1), Figs. 4 (e) and 27 (b)]
Yes
No
J2. If the drinking fountain is a floor-mounted unit, is there clear floor space at least 30 inches long x 48 inches wide (60 inches if it is in an alcove) for a side approach to the drinking fountain so that a person using a wheelchair can get close to the spout and controls even though the fountain has no clear space under it? [ADA Standards § 4.15.5 (2), Figs. 4 (e), 27 (c) and (d)]
Yes
No
J3. Is the top of the spout no higher than 36 inches above the floor and at the front of the fountain or water cooler? [ADA Standards § 4.15.2]
Yes
No
J4. Does the water rise at least 4 inches high when no more than 5 pounds of force is applied to the controls of the fountain? [ADA Standards §§ 4.15.3 and 4.15.4]
Yes
No
J5. Are the controls on or near the front of the unit and do they operate with one hand without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist? [ADA Standards § 4.15.4]
Yes
No
J6. Is the bottom of the apron of the fountain 27 inches above the floor so that it provides the space needed for a person who uses a wheelchair to pull up under it but is not a hazard to people who are blind or have low vision and use a cane to detect hazards? [ADA Standards §§ 4.15.5 (1) and 4.4.1]
Yes
No
K. Eating Areas
An accessible route, at least 36 inches wide and without steps or steep slopes, must be provided to and throughout the food service and eating areas of the shelter. The accessible route allows people who use wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility devices to get to all of the food and drink items in the shelter and to accessible tables and seating.
K1. Is there an accessible route, at least 36 inches wide, that connects each of the shelter activity areas with the food service and eating areas (it may narrow to 32 inches wide for up to 2 feet in length)? [ADA Standards § 4.3.2(3)]
Yes
No
K2. Is there an accessible route that is at least 36 inches wide that connects accessible tables with serving, condiment, and dispenser areas? [ADA Standards § 5.3; 4.3.8]
Yes
No
K3. In each eating area, if tables with fixed seats are provided, do at least 5% of each type of table with fixed seats have accessible locations with knee space at least 27 inches high, at least 19 inches deep, and at least 30 inches wide with a table top 28 to 34 inches above the floor? [ADA Standards § 5.1]
Yes
No
Note: If movable tables and chairs are used as shown, then locate at least 5% of the tables adjacent to an accessible route. Tables can be relocated as needed during operation of the shelter.
K4. If built-in food, drink, condiment, and tableware dispensers are provided, are dispensers and operating controls mounted no higher than 54 inches above the floor if clear floor space is provided for a side approach? [ADA Standards § 5.5]
Yes
No
K5. If the operating controls are set back 10 to 24 inches from the front edge of the counter or table are they no higher than 46 inches above the floor? [ADA Standards § 5.5]
Yes
No
K6. If food service lines are provided, is an accessible route provided (at least 36 inches wide) and are the tray slides no higher than 34 inches above the floor? [ADA Standards § 5.5]
Yes
No
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