ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments

3. Camera

Taking photographs is an important part of an accessibility survey. Surveying takes a lot of concentrated effort, it can be physically taxing, and even the best surveyors can make mistakes when they become tired. Photos fill in the gaps. If a question on a survey form is overlooked accidentally, a well-taken photograph will sometimes provide the answer to the question. Photos also help identify accessibility problems that surveyors have inadvertently overlooked. In addition, photos may be useful for reporting and explaining survey techniques and results to decision makers and for crafting solutions to accessibility problems.

For best results, use a digital camera with at least three megapixels of resolution and a zoom lens. Consider using a strap on your camera, since a camera can be easily dropped during a long day of shifting back and forth between taking photos and taking measurements or notes. If possible, use a camera with a time/date stamp setting showing when photographs were taken, since that feature will help you organize.

• Remember to charge the camera battery or, for cameras that use standard disposable batteries, have extra batteries on hand.

• Take “establishing shots” – that is, photographs that show what you are about to survey. Establishing shots help you to organize your photographs after the survey work is done for the day. If you are surveying the County Courthouse, the first photo you should take is an establishing shot showing an easily identifiable exterior view of the County Courthouse. Remember, establishing shots not only help you separate photographs of one building from another, they also help you separate photos of one room from another, otherwise, it may be difficult to separate photos of one courtroom from another. If the establishing shot does not include a sign with a room number or description, consider making a handwritten sign that you photograph. 

• Use the camera to take photos of everything measured for accessibility so you can easily determine the exact location of features that may need to be modified. 

• Consider taking additional photos of the digital level showing slope and cross slope measurements of walkways and ramps as well as photos showing exactly where the digital level was placed. This survey technique will help to resolve questions that may arise about how and where measurements were taken and whether information recorded on survey forms is accurate.

• Keep a log of each photograph taken. After all, the drinking fountains on one floor of a facility will often look very similar to the drinking fountains on every other floor. 

• At the end of your survey day, either print out your photos and label them carefully or create a detailed photo log while reviewing the photos on a computer. Remember to stop surveying early enough so you have time to organize and label your photos.

Whenever possible, include your measuring tape in your photographs. A good photograph showing the tape measure being used to measure the accessibility of a feature such as a door is an excellent way of documenting ADA compliance as well as accessibility problems that need to be addressed. Photographs of this kind can also assist project managers and facilities and maintenance personnel in understanding exactly how a feature needs to be modified to provide accessibility.