Settlement Agreement between the United States and against Laurens County, South Carolina, Attachment (J)

Attachment J

Altered Facilities

Please Note: Paragraph 36 of the Settlement Agreement requires that within three months of the effective date of this Agreement, the County provide signage as necessary to comply with 28 C.F.R. § 35.163(b), after having surveyed all facilities that are the subject of this Agreement for the purpose of identifying those that have multiple entrances not all of which are accessible.

In order to ensure that the following spaces and elements in County facilities, which have been altered since January 26, 1992, are readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities, the County will take the following actions:

1. Within twelve months of the effective date of this agreement, the County shall complete the following modifications to the Judicial Services Complex located at 100 Hillcrest Drive:

a. Common Problems

i. The interior doors throughout the facility require more than 5 pounds of force to operate. Throughout the facility, provide doors that require no more than 5 pounds of force to open. Standards §§ 4.1.3(7)(b), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.13.11(2)(b).

ii. The fire extinguisher cabinets throughout the facility protrude 10 inches into the circulation route and would not be detectable for blind persons who use canes. Provide an accessible route throughout the facility such that no objects with their bottom leading edges measuring between 27 inches and 80 inches above the finished floor protrude more than 4 inches into walks, halls, corridors, passageways, or aisles. Free-standing objects mounted on posts or pylons may overhang 12 inches maximum from 27 inches to 80 inches above the ground or finished floor. Standards §§ 4.1.2(3), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.4.

iii. No assistive listening system is provided. In each assembly area, such as the grand jury room, the courtrooms, and any conference or meeting rooms, provide a permanently installed assistive listening system (ALS) or a portable ALS with an adequate number of electrical outlets or other supplementary wiring necessary to support a portable assistive listening system. Also provide at least 2 receivers for use by the general public and signage in each assembly room indicating their availability. Standards §§ 4.1.3(19)(b), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.30, 4.33.

iv. Reception Desk Shelves: The shelves at the Probate Office, Assessor's Office, Treasurer's Office, and the Auditor's Office are protruding objects that would not be detectable to blind persons who use canes. Provide an accessible route at each such location such that no objects with their bottom leading edges measuring between 27 inches and 80 inches above the finished floor protrude more than 4 inches into walks, halls, corridors, passageways, or aisles. Free-standing objects mounted on posts or pylons may overhang 12 inches maximum from 27 inches to 80 inches above the ground or finished floor. Standards § 4.4.

b. Women's Toilet Room with Stalls Off Lobby

i. No accessible mirror has been provided. Provide a mirror with the bottom edge of its reflecting surface no more than 40 inches above the finished floor. Standards §§ 4.1.3(11), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.22.6, 4.19.6.

ii. The air dryers are protruding objects that are not cane-detectable. Provide an accessible route at this location such that no objects with their bottom leading edges measuring between 27 inches and 80 inches above the finished floor protrude more than 4 inches into walks, halls, corridors, passageways, or aisles. Free-standing objects mounted on posts or pylons may overhang 12 inches maximum from 27 inches to 80 inches above the ground or finished floor. Standards § 4.4.

iii. Toilet Stall for Persons with Disabilities

(1) The toilet centerline is 21 inches from the wall. Provide a toilet with a centerline that measures 18 inches from the near side wall. Standards §§ 4.1.3(11), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.22.4, 4.17.3, Fig. 30.

(2) The flush control is on the closed side. Provide a flush control mounted on the "open" side of the toilet's clear floor space; 44 inches or less above the finished floor; and requiring a maximum of 5 pounds of force to operate; or provide an automatic flush device. Standards §§ 4.1.3(11), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.22.4, 4.16.5, 4.17.2, 4.27.4.

(3) No accessible coat hook has been provided. Provide a coat hook at a maximum height above the finished floor of 48 inches for a forward approach or 54 inches for a side approach and that is accompanied by clear floor space of 30 by 48 inches that allows a forward or parallel approach by a person using a wheelchair. Standards §§ 4.25.2, 4.25.3, 4.2.4, 4.2.5, 4.2.6.

(4) The grab bars are improperly configured. Provide a rear grab bar that is at least 36 inches in overall length, with the closer end no more than 6 inches from the side wall, and a side grab bar that is at least 40 inches in overall length, with the far end mounted at least 54 inches from the rear wall and the closer end 12 inches or less from the rear wall. Ensure that the grab bars are mounted 33 to 36 inches above the finished floor; with a diameter between 1¼ and 1½ inches; with 1½ inches between the grab bar and the wall; and at least 1½ inches between the grab bar and any other object, such as a toilet seat cover dispenser or a toilet paper dispenser. Standards §§ 4.17.6, 4.26.2, Fig. 30.

c. Men's Toilet Room with Stalls Off Lobby

iii. The urinal does not have an elongated rim, the rim height is 25 inches and the flush control is 45 inches. Provide a urinal with an elongated rim mounted 17 inches or less above the finished floor, a clear floor space of at least 30 inches wide and 48 inches deep centered on the urinal, and a flush control height of 44 inches or less above the finished floor. Standards §§ 4.1.3(11), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.22.5, 4.18.2, 4.18.3, 4.18.4.

iv. Toilet Stall for Persons with Disabilities

(1) The toilet centerline is 21 inches. Provide a toilet with a centerline that measures 18 inches from the near side wall. Standards §§ 4.1.3(11), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.22.4, 4.17.3, Fig. 30.

(2) No accessible coat hook has been provided. Provide a coat hook at a maximum height above the finished floor of 48 inches for a forward approach or 54 inches for a side approach and that is accompanied by clear floor space of 30 by 48 inches that allows a forward or parallel approach by a person using a wheelchair. Standards §§ 4.25.2, 4.25.3, 4.2.4, 4.2.5, 4.2.6.

(3) The grab bars are improperly configured. Provide a rear grab bar that is at least 36 inches in overall length, with the closer end no more than 6 inches from the side wall, and a side grab bar that is at least 40 inches in overall length, with the far end mounted at least 54 inches from the rear wall and the closer end 12 inches or less from the rear wall. Ensure that the grab bars are mounted 33 to 36 inches above the finished floor; with a diameter between 1¼ and 1½ inches; with 1½ inches between the grab bar and the wall; and at least 1½ inches between the grab bar and any other object, such as a toilet seat cover dispenser or a toilet paper dispenser. Standards §§ 4.17.6, 4.26.2, Fig. 30.

d. Single User Toilet Rooms - Jury Room #1

i. Women's:

(1) The signage is mounted on the door. Provide a toilet room sign with raised and Braille characters mounted on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door with the centerline of the sign 60 inches above the finished floor and situated such that a person can approach within 3 inches of the sign without encountering an obstruction or standing within a door swing. Standards §§ 4.1.2(7)(d), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.30.1, 4.30.4, 4.30.5, 4.30.6.

ii. Men's

(2) The toilet centerline is 21 inches. Provide a toilet with a centerline that measures 18 inches from the near side wall. Standards §§ 4.1.3(11), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.22.4, 4.16.2, Fig. 28.

(3) The flush control is on the closed side. Provide a flush control mounted on the "open" side of the toilet's clear floor space; 44 inches or less above the finished floor; and requiring a maximum of 5 pounds of force to operate; or provide an automatic flush device. Standards §§ 4.1.3(11), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.22.4, 4.16.5, 4.27.4.

(4) The side and rear grab bars are mounted at 37 inches above the finished floor. Provide grab bars that are mounted 33 to 36 inches above the finished floor. Standards §§ 4.1.3(11), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.22.4, 4.16.4, 4.26.2, Fig. 29.

e. Single User Toilet Rooms - Jury Room #2

i. Women's:

ii. Men's

(2) The toilet centerline is 19 ½ inches. Provide a toilet with a centerline that measures 18 inches from the near side wall. Standards §§ 4.1.3(11), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.22.4, 4.16.2, Fig. 28.

(3) The flush control is on the closed side and is mounted higher than 44 inches. Provide a flush control mounted on the "open" side of the toilet's clear floor space; 44 inches or less above the finished floor; and requiring a maximum of 5 pounds of force to operate; or provide an automatic flush device. Standards §§ 4.1.3(11), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.22.4, 4.16.5, 4.27.4.

f. Single User Toilet Rooms - Grand Jury Room #3

i. Women's

(2) The toilet flush control is on the closed side. Provide a flush control mounted on the "open" side of the toilet's clear floor space; 44 inches or less above the finished floor; and requiring a maximum of 5 pounds of force to operate; or provide an automatic flush device. Standards §§ 4.1.3(11), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.22.4, 4.16.5, 4.27.4.

ii. Men's

(2) The toilet centerline is 19 ½ inches. Provide a toilet with a centerline that measures 18 inches from the near side wall. Standards §§ 4.1.3(11), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.22.4, 4.16.2, Fig. 28.

g. Drinking Fountains

i. Fountain in Entrance Hallway

(1) The controls of the lower fountain require 12 pounds of force to operate. Ensure that fountain controls are operable with one hand, require 5 lbf or less to operate without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist; and are front mounted or side mounted near the front edge. Standards §§ 4.1.3(10), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.15, 4.27.4, Fig. 27.

ii. Fountain Located Near the Large Courtroom.

(1) The high fountain protrudes 16 inches. Provide an accessible route at this location such that no objects with their bottom leading edges measuring between 27 inches and 80 inches above the finished floor protrude more than 4 inches into walks, halls, corridors, passageways, or aisles. Free-standing objects mounted on posts or pylons may overhang 12 inches maximum from 27 inches to 80 inches above the ground or finished floor. Standards §§ 4.1.2(3), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.4.

(2) The controls of the lower fountain require 12 pounds of force to operate. Ensure that fountain controls are operable with one hand, require 5 lbf or less to operate without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist; and are front mounted or side mounted near the front edge. Standards §§ 4.1.3(10), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.15, 4.27.4, Fig. 27.

h. Holding Cells - (3 total)

i. Two of the three holding cells contain a built-in toilet and sink with a rear grab bar. No side grab bar is provided at either toilet. For at least one of the cells, provide a side grab bar that is at least 42 inches in overall length, with the far end mounted at least 54 inches from the rear wall and the closer end 12 inches or less from the rear wall; mounted 33 to 36 inches above the finished floor; with a diameter between 1¼ and 1½ inches; with 1½ inches between the grab bar and the wall; and at least 1½ inches between the grab bar and any other object, such as the toilet paper dispenser. Standards §§ 4.1.3(11), 4.1.6(1)(b), 4.22.4, 4.16.4, 4.26.2, Fig. 29.