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Special Hospitality Industtry edition of Universal Design Newsletter

Accommodating All Guests (PDF)



This presentation outlines important ADA issues for hotels.

The Effect of the DOJ's Newly Proposed ADA Standards on Hotel Design

Top 10: What the Lodging Industry Needs to Know About the New ADA/ABA-AG

The US Department of Justice has proposed adopting the Americans with Disabilities Act/Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADA/ABA-AG) in 2007 as the new ADA Standards for Accessible Design. While nothing is set in stone, the following 10 issues will likely have a significant effect on lodging and other types of facilities.

  1. Everything is Covered. In the existing ADA Standards, things that are not described are not covered, and many non-fixed items, such as temporary facilities or dining tables are exempted. The new standards cover everything (fixed or not) even if not described.
  2. Limited Construction Tolerances. Minimums, maximums and ranges are now defined (and limited), creating problems with standard construction details, i.e., toilet centerline.
  3. Parking Space Numbers and Signage. Increased number of van accessible parking spaces and modified signage/striping requirements.
  4. Numbers of Accessible Guest Rooms. Rounding up, increase in numbers required during alterations. Increase in number of hearing impaired rooms. Portable kits not allowed.
  5. 48” High Maximum Reach Range. No 54” high side reach allowed with side approach.
  6. Partially Obstructed T-Turn. One leg of T-Turn can provide only knee and toe clearance.
  7. Accessible toilet 5’ Clear Width at All Toilets. Every accessible toilet needs side access.
  8. Vanity Equity. Accessible guestrooms must have bath vanities of the same size as comparable non accessible guest rooms.
  9. Recreation Access Criteria. New criteria for changing benches, swimming pools, playgrounds, golf courses, etc.
  10. ADA/ABA-AG Defines Barriers. The DOJ proposes to make the new criteria apply to existing buildings to the extent it is readily achievable.

Hospitality: Tips for Customer Service Staff

These tips are from the DBTAC Mid Atlantic Center newsletter, Summer, 2007.

  1. Speak directly to the individual you are addressing, not to a companion or sign language interpreter. Never shout at a person; speak in a normal tone of voice.
  2. Identify yourself when you meet someone with a vision disability.
  3. Be prepared to use a variety of tools and methods to communicate with people with disabilities, such as writing notes for people who have hearing impairments (keep a pad of paper handy), or reading printed information or giving verbal directions (it doesn't help to point!) to people with vision impairments.
  4. Listen attentively when talking with people who have difficulty speaking, and wait for them to finish. If necessary, ask short questions that require short answers or a nod of the head. Never pretend to understand; instead, repeat what you have understood and allow the person to respond.
  5. If you offer assistance, wait until your offer is accepted. Then listen or ask for instructions.
  6. If needed, describe people with disabilities using "person-first language" (e.g., a person who is blind, not a blind person). Avoid words/phrases like "handicapped," "victim," "wheelchair bound," and "confined to a wheelchair."
  7. Treat adults as adults. Never patronize adults with disabilities by patting them on the head, calling them by their first names (when you do not do so with other adults), or otherwise treating them like children.

Find out how Universal Designers & Consultants Inc. can help you.