Five Steps To Make New Lodging Facilities Comply With The ADA

STEP 3: MAKE SURE THE BUILDING PLANS DO NOT CONTAIN COMMON ADA MISTAKES.

Often, ADA mistakes at lodging facilities can be traced back to construction documents, such as site and building plans. Thus, a careful review of these documents can prevent most ADA mistakes. While local officials review these documents to make sure that state and local building and fire code requirements are met, they are not authorized to enforce federal laws like the ADA, and, consequently, do not review building plans for ADA mistakes (footnote). One way owners and franchisors can avoid ADA mistakes is by having building plans reviewed by someone with ADA expertise before construction starts. Another, less costly, option is to check the building plans to make sure they do not contain any of the most common ADA mistakes. To help owners, franchisors, architects, and building contractors avoid the most common ADA mistakes at lodging facilities, the Justice Department has prepared a publication called "Common ADA Problems at Newly Constructed Lodging Facilities." Owners should contact their architect, their franchisor's design and construction staff, or their building contractor before construction starts and ask them to confirm that the building plans do not contain these common ADA mistakes. If any of these problems do appear in the building plans, owners should have their architects correct the plans so they comply with ADA requirements before construction starts.

(footnote) Some state and local codes have been certified by the Department of Justice as consistent with the ADA's requirements.