Questions and Answers: Accessibility Requirements for Existing Swimming Pools at Hotels and Other Public Accommodations

15. Can I store my lift and bring it out only when it is requested by a person with a disability?

No. A pool lift must remain in place and be operational during all times that the pool is open to guests. The ADA and its implementing regulations require equal and independent access for people with disabilities for all covered facilities (not just pools). Allowing covered entities to store lifts and only take them out on request places unnecessary additional burdens on people with disabilities. People with disabilities have long faced the challenges of dealing with portable accessibility features – e.g., staff are unavailable or too busy to help locate and set up the equipment, the equipment is missing, the equipment isn’t maintained, or staff do not know how to safely set up the equipment. In addition, the ADA Standards specify that a lift must be located at the proper water depth and with the necessary space around it to maneuver a wheelchair. Moving a portable lift around raises the likelihood that the lift will be improperly located, making it difficult or dangerous to use.