Accessibility Requirements

• Technical Guidelines and Policies
• Accessibility Guide for Small Businesses
• Universal Design Principals and Guidelines
• Helpful Links

Technical Guidelines and Policies

• Accessibility Requirements for Townhouses
• Accessibility - When is an Elevator or Ramp Required? (Flow Chart) (Revised May 18, 2006) (PDF: 33K)
• URM Building Disabled Access Requirement: Code Interpretation (November 1, 2005) (PDF: 236K)
• Procedures for Design, Plan Review, Construction and Inspection of Access Regulations for Multi-Family Projects (September 13, 2005) (PDF: 24K)
• Information Bulletin 305 - Accessible Parking Requirements (December 2005) (PDF: 790K)

Accessibility Guide for Small Businesses

(Revised 6/13/08) (PDF: 578K) includes:
Accessibility law, unreasonable hardship, order of barrier removal, examples of barrier removal, accessible entrances, door hardware, accessible routs, ramps, lifts, parking, bathrooms, drinking fountains, sales and service counters, fitting rooms, and historical buildings.

Universal Design

Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. It provides everyone with:

• The benefits of barrier-free design
• User-friendly architecture
• A comfortable environment

  Handouts from the Center for Universal Design

  • The Principle of Universal Design (PDF: 369K)
  • A Brief History of Universal Design (PDF: 63K)
  • Definitions of Accessible, Adaptable and Universal Design (PDF: 97K)
  • Wood Ramp Design (PDF: 311K)
  • Curbless Showers (PDF: 2.06MB)
  • Bathroom Tech Sheet (PDF: 261K)
  • Additional Publications from The Center for Universal Design
    

Helpful Links

• State of California Department Division of the State Architect (DSA) Universal Design Guidelines

• State of California Frequently Asked Questions on Accessibility

• Center for Universal Design
  National research, information, and technical assistance center that evaluates, develops, and promotes universal design in housing, public and commercial facilities, and related products.