2026 ADA Standards For Accessible
Design Exam-Graded A
You are tasked with providing the accessible path to a theater building. The building pad
is situated 8 inches above the rest of the site and the front entry is covered by an
extended roof feature. The building is 40ft wide at the entry and the storefront doors are
centered on the facade and are 12ft wide (2 pairs of double doors each door leaf is 3ft
wide). The entry canopy only extends out 10ft and the owner would like the ramp to be
adjacent to the building but allow for a 4ft wide stairs. Will you be able to ramp up to the
theater in one straight run? - ANSWER-Step 1. Find the total rise
The total rise of the building is 8" which is well under the 30" max rise for a ramp with a
single run
Step 2. Calculate the distance of ramp you need
Note that ramps cannot exceed running slopes steeper than 1:12.
8" rise : 96" Run - 96" / 12" = 8ft
Step 3: Factor in the landing space
60 inches landing is required on either side of the run.
5ft (landing) + 5ft (landing) + 8 ft (ramp) = 18ft.
Step 4: Determine if one ramp run can fit between the storefront doors and the corner of
the building
40ft - 12ft =
A client would like to construct a new building on a very steep terrain. As the architect it
is your job to make sure the building meets the 2010 ADA standards. You determine
that the site is structurally impracticable, what is the minimum you must due to
accommodate most occupants ability to access the site? - ANSWER-I. Demonstrate to
the AHJ that the unique characteristics of the site prevent you from fully complying with
the ADA requirements
II.Any portion of a facility that can be made accessible shall be made accessible to the
extent that it is not structurally impracticable.
III.if individuals with certain disibilities (i.e. wheelchair) would be structurally
impracticable, then accessibility shall be ensured to persons with other types of
disabilities (i.e. crutches, sight, hearing)
The government would like to make alterations to a historic army base and would not
like to threaten the historical significance. The building must meet 2010 ADA standards
what is the minimum you must due to appease both parties? - ANSWER-1. Alterations
to historic properties shall comply to the maximum extend feasible to the ADA design
standards
2. If it is not feasible to provide physical access to the historic property without
threatening the historic significance alternative methods of access shall be provided.
, A client would like to make some major alterations to a multi purpose building. The
primary functions of the building are small office space dining hall, reception space and
a assembly hall for ted talks. The building includes all of the necessarily functions (i.e
storage rooms, corridors, mechanical rooms, etc). The client would like to know to what
extend the 2010 ADA accessibility standards requires him to alter his space so he can
build a contingency for these items? - ANSWER-1. Any alterations that affect the
usability or access to an area with a primary function shall ensure to the maximum
extent feasible that the path of travel to these altered areas (i.e restrooms, telephones
and drinking fountains) are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
2. Primary functions are major activities in which the facility is intended for, (i.e dining
hall, reception space, small office, assembly hall are the primary functions that should
be accessible after these alterations)
3. Secondary functions (i.e mechanical rooms, janitors closets, entrances, corridors,
employee lounges are not areas of primary functions)
4. Alterations to windows, hardware, controls, electrical outlets and signage shall not be
deemed alterations that affect the usability or access to a primary function
Define the path of travel? - ANSWER-Continuous, unobstructed way of pedestrian
passage that does not prevent a patron from approaching, entering or exiting a space.
This includes exterior means of access (i.e. sidewalks, streets and parking areas) in
addition to the entrance to the facility.
A building is located on a site what general areas are affected by the path of travel? -
ANSWER-An accessible path of travel consists of.....
1. Sidewalks
2. Curb ramps
3. Interior/Exterior pedestrian ramps
4. Clear floor paths through lobbies, corridors, rooms
5. Parking access aisles
6. Elevators & Lifts
You have just completed the schematic design phase of a major renovation to a multi-
purpose building on a unique steep slope. The client has taken these plans to get
preliminary estimate bids on how much this is going to cost him, which is around
$700,000. You mention to the client that this design set does not include requirements
to comply with 2010 ADA standards. You update your plans to include a general scope
of the extent that the building needs to be updated and the client sends this out for bid.
The bids come back at 900,000 as these ADA compliant changes cost 200,000. The
client says the project is over budget. Is the owner not going to be able to renovate his
multi purpose building? Must he meet all of the accessibility requirements? - ANSWER-
These alterations fall under dis-proportionality in order to make the building accessible
the renovations exceed 20% of the overall design cost (900,000 * 20% = 180,000).
What are some of the examples of costs that may be counted towards
disproportionality?
Design Exam-Graded A
You are tasked with providing the accessible path to a theater building. The building pad
is situated 8 inches above the rest of the site and the front entry is covered by an
extended roof feature. The building is 40ft wide at the entry and the storefront doors are
centered on the facade and are 12ft wide (2 pairs of double doors each door leaf is 3ft
wide). The entry canopy only extends out 10ft and the owner would like the ramp to be
adjacent to the building but allow for a 4ft wide stairs. Will you be able to ramp up to the
theater in one straight run? - ANSWER-Step 1. Find the total rise
The total rise of the building is 8" which is well under the 30" max rise for a ramp with a
single run
Step 2. Calculate the distance of ramp you need
Note that ramps cannot exceed running slopes steeper than 1:12.
8" rise : 96" Run - 96" / 12" = 8ft
Step 3: Factor in the landing space
60 inches landing is required on either side of the run.
5ft (landing) + 5ft (landing) + 8 ft (ramp) = 18ft.
Step 4: Determine if one ramp run can fit between the storefront doors and the corner of
the building
40ft - 12ft =
A client would like to construct a new building on a very steep terrain. As the architect it
is your job to make sure the building meets the 2010 ADA standards. You determine
that the site is structurally impracticable, what is the minimum you must due to
accommodate most occupants ability to access the site? - ANSWER-I. Demonstrate to
the AHJ that the unique characteristics of the site prevent you from fully complying with
the ADA requirements
II.Any portion of a facility that can be made accessible shall be made accessible to the
extent that it is not structurally impracticable.
III.if individuals with certain disibilities (i.e. wheelchair) would be structurally
impracticable, then accessibility shall be ensured to persons with other types of
disabilities (i.e. crutches, sight, hearing)
The government would like to make alterations to a historic army base and would not
like to threaten the historical significance. The building must meet 2010 ADA standards
what is the minimum you must due to appease both parties? - ANSWER-1. Alterations
to historic properties shall comply to the maximum extend feasible to the ADA design
standards
2. If it is not feasible to provide physical access to the historic property without
threatening the historic significance alternative methods of access shall be provided.
, A client would like to make some major alterations to a multi purpose building. The
primary functions of the building are small office space dining hall, reception space and
a assembly hall for ted talks. The building includes all of the necessarily functions (i.e
storage rooms, corridors, mechanical rooms, etc). The client would like to know to what
extend the 2010 ADA accessibility standards requires him to alter his space so he can
build a contingency for these items? - ANSWER-1. Any alterations that affect the
usability or access to an area with a primary function shall ensure to the maximum
extent feasible that the path of travel to these altered areas (i.e restrooms, telephones
and drinking fountains) are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
2. Primary functions are major activities in which the facility is intended for, (i.e dining
hall, reception space, small office, assembly hall are the primary functions that should
be accessible after these alterations)
3. Secondary functions (i.e mechanical rooms, janitors closets, entrances, corridors,
employee lounges are not areas of primary functions)
4. Alterations to windows, hardware, controls, electrical outlets and signage shall not be
deemed alterations that affect the usability or access to a primary function
Define the path of travel? - ANSWER-Continuous, unobstructed way of pedestrian
passage that does not prevent a patron from approaching, entering or exiting a space.
This includes exterior means of access (i.e. sidewalks, streets and parking areas) in
addition to the entrance to the facility.
A building is located on a site what general areas are affected by the path of travel? -
ANSWER-An accessible path of travel consists of.....
1. Sidewalks
2. Curb ramps
3. Interior/Exterior pedestrian ramps
4. Clear floor paths through lobbies, corridors, rooms
5. Parking access aisles
6. Elevators & Lifts
You have just completed the schematic design phase of a major renovation to a multi-
purpose building on a unique steep slope. The client has taken these plans to get
preliminary estimate bids on how much this is going to cost him, which is around
$700,000. You mention to the client that this design set does not include requirements
to comply with 2010 ADA standards. You update your plans to include a general scope
of the extent that the building needs to be updated and the client sends this out for bid.
The bids come back at 900,000 as these ADA compliant changes cost 200,000. The
client says the project is over budget. Is the owner not going to be able to renovate his
multi purpose building? Must he meet all of the accessibility requirements? - ANSWER-
These alterations fall under dis-proportionality in order to make the building accessible
the renovations exceed 20% of the overall design cost (900,000 * 20% = 180,000).
What are some of the examples of costs that may be counted towards
disproportionality?
