Attachment E: Program Access Modifications at Emergency Shelters

1.     East Middle School

a.     Parking.  Although 2 parking spaces are reserved for persons with disabilities, neither is designated as “van- accessible.”  On the shortest accessible route to the accessible entrance, provide at least 1 van accessible space a minimum of 96 inches wide, served by an access aisle at least 96 inches wide, with a vertical sign with the International Symbol of Accessibility located such that it cannot be obstructed by parked vehicles, and with an additional “Van-Accessible” sign located below the International Symbol of Accessibility.  Standards §§ 4.1.2(5)(b), 4.6, 4.30.7(1).

b.     The toilet room that is currently designated for people with disabilities is not accessible because the door swings into the single user toilet room and encroaches upon the required clear floor space at the lavatory.  Remove the sign designating this toilet room as accessible to persons with disabilities.  Redesignate the men’s and women’s staff toilet rooms as the accessible toilet rooms.  For each, provide a toilet room sign with the International Symbol of Accessibility and raised and Braille characters.  The sign shall be mounted on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door with the centerline of the sign at 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), 4.30.1, 4.30.4, 4.30.5, 4.30.6, 4.30.7.

2.     Jefferson Middle School

a.     Parking - There are three parking spaces designated as reserved for persons with disabilities in this lot.  Two of these spaces have no signs designating them as accessible.  The accessible space in front has a sign that can be obscured by a parked vehicle.  On the shortest accessible route to the accessible entrance, provide 1 van accessible space and 2 standard spaces designated as reserved for people with disabilities.  Standard accessible spaces shall be a minimum of 96 inches wide and served by access aisles at least 60 inches wide.  Van accessible spaces shall be a minimum of 96 inches wide and served by access aisles at least 96 inches wide.  All spaces designated as reserved for persons with disabilities shall have vertical signs with the International Symbol of Accessibility located such that they cannot be obstructed by parked vehicles.  Van accessible spaces shall have an additional “Van-Accessible” sign located below the International Symbol of Accessibility.  All spaces and access aisles for persons with disabilities shall be flat and level, with slopes and cross-slopes not exceeding 1:50 in all directions, and their surfaces shall be firm, stable, and slip-resistant.  Standards §§ 4.1.2(5), 4.6, 4.30.7(1).

b.     The entrance door to the school leading to the shelter area has two single doors in series with insufficient maneuvering space within the vestibule.  Provide a designated accessible entrance that has a minimum space between two hinged or pivoted doors of 48 inches plus the width of any door swinging into the space, with doors swinging in either the same direction or away from the space between the doors. Standards §§ 4.1.3(7)(a), 4.13, Figs. 24, 25, 26.  Alternatively, on days that the facility is being used as an emergency shelter, keep the interior door propped open.

c.      The doors to the accessible toilet rooms serving the shelter area require too much force to open.  For each, provide a door that does not take more than 5 pounds of force to open or close.  Standards §§ 4.1.3(7)(b), 4.13, Fig. 25.

3.     Waukegan High School

a.     The main entrance to the area used as a warming center does not provide a 32 inch width at the double doors because of a security Astragal.  Instead of removing this device, provide an accessible route near the pool entrance that maintains 32 inch clear width at doors.  Provide signage at the main entrance directing users with disabilities to the designated accessible route by the pool entrance.  Standards §§ 4.13, 4.30.

b.     Unisex Toilet Room off the Special Education Classroom.

i.     There is no signage for this room, which is the only toilet room designed for persons with disabilities in the area near the emergency shelter.  Provide a toilet room sign with the International Symbol of Accessibility and raised and Braille characters.  The sign shall be mounted on the wall adjacent to the latch side of the door with the centerline of the sign at 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), 4.30.1, 4.30.4, 4.30.5, 4.30.6, 4.30.7.

ii.     The door hardware is a round knob.  Provide a door with hardware usable with 1 hand and without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.  Lever-operated, push-type, and U-shaped handles are acceptable designs.  Standards §§ 4.1.3(7)(b), 4.13, Fig. 25.

iii.     The toilet centerline measures 31 inches from the side wall.  Provide a toilet with a centerline that measures 18 inches from the nearest side wall.  Standards §§ 4.1.3(11), 4.22.4, 4.16.2, Fig. 28.

iv.     The rear grab bar is too short.  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; 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.  Standards §§ 4.1.3(11), 4.22.4, 4.16.4, 4.26.2, Fig. 29.

v.      The toilet paper dispenser is placed incorrectly.  Provide a toilet paper dispenser that is mounted on the side wall within reach of the toilet, with its top at least 1½ inches under the side grab bar, and centered at least 19 inches above the finished floor.  Standards §§ 4.1.3(11), 4.22.4, 4.16.6, Fig. 29(b).