JUSTICE DEPARTMENT INITIATIVE TO ENSURE ADA COMPLIANCE AT NEW WASHINGTON NATIONAL'S BALLPARK, Fact Sheet</strong> </strong></span>

FACT SHEET

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT INITIATIVE TO ENSURE ADA COMPLIANCE AT NEW WASHINGTON NATIONALS’ BALLPARK

In June 2005, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice initiated a compliance review of the owners and operators of the new ballpark that will be home to the Washington Nationals baseball team. The Department opened this compliance review under the authority of Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Title II of the ADA applies to state and local government agencies, such as DC Sports & Entertainment Commission. Title III of the ADA applies to private businesses known as public accommodations, including the operators of recreational facilities, such as baseball stadiums. Title III of the ADA also applies to those who design and construct these facilities. To ensure that compliance with the ADA would be incorporated into the ballpark from the beginning, the Civil Rights Division began its compliance review when the ballpark was still in the conceptual design phase.

From the outset, compliance review has been focused on ensuring that the Nationals’ baseball stadium, when built, will be in full compliance with the requirements of the ADA. The compliance review was intended to be a collaborative undertaking in which the Civil Rights Division would work closely with DC Sports & Entertainment Commission; the owners and operators of the Nationals franchise; HOK/Devrouax and Purnell, PLLC, the architects selected to design the stadium; and Clark-Hunt-Smoot, the construction companies charged with building the stadium. The Civil Rights Division has worked collaboratively with other entities early in the design process to ensure the ADA compliance of facilities covered by Title II or Title III.

The ADA establishes several requirements to ensure the accessibility of newly constructed assembly areas, such as sports stadiums. Following is a summary of some of the key ADA requirements for newly constructed facilities:

Wheelchair Seating: At least one percent of the total seating must be wheelchair accessible seating locations, and each wheelchair seating location must have an adjacent fixed companion seat. Wheelchair seating locations must be horizontally and vertically dispersed throughout all seating areas and provide a choice of admission prices and views comparable to those for the general public. In assembly areas where spectators would be expected to stand during an event, wheelchair seating locations must enable people who sit there to see over the heads of spectators standing in front of them. Wheelchair seating locations must be integrated into the seating plan so that people using wheelchairs are not isolated from other spectators or their friends and family members.
Designated Aisle Seats: An additional one percent of the total seating must be designated aisle seats. These seats are typically used by people with mobility disabilities who are ambulatory.
Luxury Suites: Each luxury suite will provide wheelchair seating, and each luxury suite restroom will be accessible.
Accessible Routes: Accessible routes must be provided so people with disabilities can travel throughout the ballpark.
Accessible Amenities: All amenities provided in a stadium, such as concession counters, souvenir stands, and restaurants, must be accessible to people with disabilities.
Ticket Windows: Ticket windows must be at an accessible height.
Toilet Rooms, Dressing Rooms, and Locker Rooms: All of these rooms must be accessible to people with disabilities.
Access for People Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: When audible communications are integral to events such as sporting events, the stadium must provide effective communication to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. For example, assistive listening systems must be provided for people who are hard of hearing. For people who are deaf, effective communication can be achieved by providing captioning on visual displays visible throughout the ballpark that enables deaf spectators to read information that is orally communicated to others and receive prompt notification of emergency situations.
Admission Prices: Stadiums must offer a full range of ticket prices for wheelchair seating locations.

The Civil Rights Division expects to continue its cooperative relationship with the private partners until full compliance with ADA requirements has been ensured in the design, construction and operation of the new stadium.

Aug 2, 2007