Slide 1 Welcome to the AccessibilityOnline Webinar Series
A collaborative program between the ADA National Network and the US Access Board

The Session is Scheduled to begin at 2:30pm Eastern Time
We will be testing sound quality periodically

The content and materials of this training are property of the US Access Board and the DBTAC - Great Lakes ADA Center and cannot be used and/or distributed without permission.  This program is funded under award #H133A060097 from the U.S. Department of Education through the auspices of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) and an inter-agency agreement with the U.S. Access Board. For permission to use training content or obtain copies of materials used as part of this program please contact us by email at adata@adagreatlakes.org or toll free (877)232-1990 (V/TTY)

Slide 2 Accessible Play Areas
Three separate photos of children with disabilities playing at a playground
Slide 3 Presenters
U.S. Access Board Pictures of Bill Botten and Peggy Greenwell

Slide 4 SESSION AGENDA
•	Application of ABA and ADA Standards 
•	Play Area Terminology
•	Ground Level Play Components and Accessible Routes
•	Elevated Play Components and Accessible Routes
•	Play Component Accessibility 
•	Soft Contained Play Structures
•	Questions

Slide 5 New ADA and ABA Standards
•	Based on the Board’s ADA-ABA Guidelines (2004)
•	Revised 1991 ADA Standard (ADAAG and UFAS)
•	Earlier supplements added – including “Play Areas and other Recreation Facilities” 

Slide 6 2004 ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines
Graphic depicting the Parallel ADA Application and Scoping chapters 1 and 2 (pages 5 - 71) and ABA Application and Scoping Chapters 1 and 2 (pages 72 - 140) shown referencing Common Technical Chapters 3 - 10 ( pages 141 - 289 

Slide 7 Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Standards
•	Buildings and facilities constructed or altered or leased on behalf of the federal government
•	Where?
•	Employee day care centers, federal parks, other Federal leased facilities
•	Play area accessibility guidelines  effective May 8, 2006 - GSA

Slide 8 Current ADA Standards
Option: DOJ’s 2010 standards (mandatory March 15, 2012)  
 OR
DOJ’s 1991 standards (until March 15, 2012)  

Slide 9 What Standards Apply to Existing ADA Facilities?
•	Title II — Program accessibility
•	Title III — Readily achievable barrier removal

For more information, contact DOJ @ 800 514-0301

Slide 10 Safe Harbor – Existing Facilities
•	Elements that comply with 1991 Standards do not need to be modified to meet the 2010 Standards unless those elements are altered on or after March 15, 2012. 

•	Safe Harbor does not apply to elements in existing facilities that were not subject to specific requirements in the 1991 Standards

For more information, contact DOJ @ 800 514-0301

Slide 11 Elements in 2010 Standards Not Subject to Safe Harbor
(A) Residential facilities and dwelling units
(B) Amusement rides
(C) Recreational boating facilities
(D)Exercise machines and equipment
(E) Fishing piers and platforms
(F) Golf facilities
(G) Miniature golf facilities
(H) Play areas
(I) Saunas and steam rooms
(J) Swimming pools, wading pools, and spas 
(K) Shooting facilities with firing positions, 
(L) Miscellaneous.
   (1) Team or player seating
   (2) Accessible route to bowling lanes
   (3) Accessible route in court sports facilities
For more information, contact DOJ @ 800 514-0301

Slide 12 Online Guidance
www.access-board.gov/ada/
Image of "Guide to the ADA and ADA Standards" web page 

Slide 13 Play Area Guidelines
•	Picture of Inside Play Area and Outside the Play Area

Slide 14 The play area guidelines do not apply to:
•	Play areas designed for children under 2 years old (Picture of young girl in a panel on a composite play structure.)

•	Family childcare facilities where the proprietor resides (picture of Large wooden composite play structure.)

•	Amusement attractions (Picture of amusement park)

•	Religious entities

Slide 15 Building Pay Areas in Phases
•	Overhead view of large play area.

Slide 16 Accessibility must be maintained in each phase of development. Drawing of a large play structure constructed in two phases.

Slide 17 Photo of a large play area separated by age.

Slide 18 Geographically Separated Play Areas
Drawing of two separate play areas separated by a building.

Slide 19 Alterations vs. Maintenance
Normal maintenance activities such as replacing worn “S” hooks or topping off ground surfaces are not considered alterations.

Photo of Worn S-Hook and A man leveling wood fiber play surface material with a rake.

Slide 20 Alterations
•	Actions that affect, or could affect, the usability of the play area.   Photo of the installation of a new play area surface. 
•	Examples include removing a climbing play component & replacing it with a spring rocker, or changing the ground surfacing. Photo of Drilling large holes in the ground to support the play component structure at a new site.

Slide 21 Alterations
Additional Requirements
•	When altering a “primary function area”
•	Area altered must be in compliance with ADA or ABA Accessibility Standards  
•	Provide “path of travel” to the altered area 
•	20% Disproportionate Rule  
Photo of Drilling large holes in the ground

Slide 22 Moving components to create safe use zones
•	USE ZONE - Ground level area beneath and immediately adjacent to a play structure or piece of equipment that is designated for unrestricted circulation around the equipment.

•	It is predicted that a user would fall and land or exit the equipment on the surface of the use zone. 

•	Overhead drawing of the use zone.

Slide 23 Moving components to create safe use zones
•	Guidelines do not apply where ground surface is not changed or extended more than one use zone.
•	Overhead drawing depicting the use zone exception.

Slide 24 When altering the play component…not the surface
•	Photo of several people installing a deck on a composite play structure.

Slide 25 Replacing the entire ground surface…
•	Photo of Rollos of new play area surface material durning an installation.

Slide 26 Play Area 
•	Contains play components
•	Designed and constructed for children
Overhead photo of two-separate-play-areas.

Slide 27 Play Area Terms
•	Illustration of a composite play structure that highlights several terms.

Slide 28 Accessible Routes
•	Route designed to provide access for individuals with disabilities
•	Connects all entry and exit points of accessible play components
Photo of a straight line slide for two people. Composite play structure with two slides.

Slide 29 What is a Play Component? 
•	A play component is an element designed to generate specific opportunities for play, socialization, and learning. 
Photo of Young girl using a sand digger, Photo of Handi-rings and boy in a wheelchair and a photo of Child in wheelchair at a play panel.

Slide 30 What is a play component? What is not a Play Component?
•	Transfer Systems
•	Steps
•	Decks
•	Roofs
Illustration of Composite play structure.
Slide 31 Ground level play components
Approached and exited at ground level 

Photo of Children at play. Photo of Adaptive swings being used by persons with disabilities. Photo of Sand surface play area with several ground level play components.

Slide 32 Elevated play components
•	Approached from elevated level 
•	Attached to composite play structure 
•	Components
(counted once)
Photo of:
•	 Boy in wheelchair using a play panel on a composite play structure.
•	 Block CLimber to a composite play structure.
•	 Girl in wheelchair using a play panel.	

Slide 33 Determining Ground or Elevated
•	Ground-Level Play component (Photo of Stand alone tunnel slide)
•	Elevated play component (Photo of Two girls sliding side by side down from a composite play structure)

Slide 34 Play Types
•	Identified by the experience the play component generally is designed to provide
•	Climbing (Photo of Boy climbing on a cargo net ladder.)
•	Spinning (Photo of Girl on ground level spinning play component.)
•	Rocking (Photo of Girl in a ground level whale shaped spring rocker.)
•	Swinging (Photo of Two swing bay with two kids swinging.)

Slide 35 Ground-level Requirement
One of Each Type 
Photos of: 
•	Young girl talking into a talking tube
•	Girl manipulating a ground level play component.
•	Accessible sand digger highlighted among group of four sand diggers.
•	A swing bay with two swings highlighted.

Slide 36 Ground-Level Requirements
More than one — integrated in the play area
Photo of Sand play area with four sand diggers.
Photo of Children playing at a play table, one child in a wheelchair.

Slide 37 Minimum number based on the number of elevated play components provided
•	Minimum quantity of ground-level play components
•	Minimum number of different types
•	Table from the guidelines that prescribes the number and types of accessible play components required to be on an accessible route.

Slide 38 Ground Level Accessible Routes

•	Surface
•	Clear width
•	Clear width reductions
•	Changes in level 
•	Running Slope
•	Cross Slope
•	Openings
•	Protruding Objects

Photo of a large composite play structure in a play area.

Slide 39 Accessible Surfaces
Accessible ground surfaces must comply with ASTM F 1951-99. Includes accessible routes, clear floor or ground spaces, and turning spaces

Photo of ASTM F1951 test setup in a laboratory.

Slide 40 Accessible Surfaces located in the Use Zone
If located within the use zone, the accessible ground surfaces must also be impact attenuating (ASTM F 1292-99 or 04)
Photo of Two girls on a airplane shaped spring rocker. Photo of Accessible route to a composite play structure.

Slide 41 Surface inspection and maintenance
Accessible ground surfaces must be inspected and maintained regularly & frequently to ensure continued compliance with ASTM F 1951-99.

Photo of A man leveling wood fiber surface material with a rake.
Photo of Transfer platform and a slide.

Slide 42 Ground-level Accessible Route 
Clear width 60 inches minimum
Photo of Two adaptive swings being used.
Slide 43 Clear width reductions
•	Illustration of an accessible route that has been narrowed to 36 inches due to a tree.
•	Permitted to narrow to 36 inches for a distance of 60 inches

Slide 44 Smaller Play Areas < 1000 sq. ft. must have:
•	Ground accessible routes that are 44 inches in width
•	Wheelchair turning space if route exceeds 30 ft. in length. 

Overhead drawing of play area.

Slide 45 Changes in Level
•	Changes in level of 1/4 inch high maximum permitted to be vertical. 
–	Elevation drawing of a change in level between the surfaces of two parallel planes with a vertical edge that is 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) high maximum. 
–	Photo of Rubber safety tiles  
•	Changes in level between 1/4 inch high minimum and 1/2 inch high maximum to be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:2. 
     Changes in level greater than 1/2 inch high must be ramped.
•	Photo of Accessible route into a play area.
•	Elevation drawing of a change in level 1/4 to 2 inches (6.4 - 13 mm) high that is beveled with a slope of 1:2.

Slide 46 Running Slope
	Maximum 1:16 running slope on ground-level accessible routes
Photo of Composite play structure with accessible route highlighted and a slope of 1:16.
Photo of Large composite play structure.
Graphic illustrating the 1 to 16 slope requirement.

Slide 47 Cross Slope
•	Cross slope of ground level route must not be steeper than 1:48. (An illustration of a person in a wheelchair on a cross slope.)
o	Cross slope is the slope of the surface perpendicular to the direction of travel.
o	Cross slope is measured the same way as slope is measured (i.e., the rise over the run).

Slide 48 Openings
Openings in floor or ground surfaces shall not allow passage of a sphere more than 1/2 inch diameter. Elongated openings shall be placed so that the long dimension is perpendicular to the dominant direction of travel. 
Photo of the intersection of two sidewalks and the gap between not greater than a half inch.   
Illustration of Elongated openings, such as in a grating, are shown in plan view with openings 2 inch (13 mm) maximum in one dimension.  The other dimension is longer (unspecified) and is perpendicular to the dominant direction of travel.

Slide 49 Protruding Objects
•	At ground level, objects may not protrude into the 60-inch wide space of an accessible route up to or below the height of 80 inches, measured above the accessible route surface. 

•	Applies only to the 60-inch ground level accessible route, and is not required for the entire play area. 

Photo of two children playing at store front counter in a play area, the boy uses a walker. Photo of Two people on the lower level of a multi level composite play structure.

Slide 50 Elevated Play Component Requirements
At least 50% of the elevated play components must be on an accessible route.
Overhead photo of a young girl in a wheelchair playing with a stering wheel on the upper level of a composite play structure.

Slide 51 Minimum Number of Elevated Components
50% of all elevated play components in a play area must be reached by an accessible route

•	Photo of a small composite play structure with kids playin around and on it. Less than 20 elevated components: ramp and/or transfer = 50%

•	Photo of a large composite play structure with a transfer platform. 20 or more elevated components: 25 % ramp + 25% ramp and/or transfer = 50%

Slide 52 Providing Ramp Access to 50% of the Play Components
No additional ground level components required. Overhead photo of a large composite play structure and many children play on and around it.

Slide 53 Elevated Accessible Routes
•	Transfer Systems (Photo of young person transfering from their wheelchair to the transfer platform of a composite play structure.)
•	Ramps (Photo of two children in wheelchairs passing going opposite directions on an elevated accessible route.)

Slide 54 Elevated Accessible Route Width
•	36-inch minimum clear width
•	Exceed where possible
•	Some reductions permitted
Photo of two children in wheelchairs passing going opposite directions on an elevated accessible route.

Slide 55 32-inch narrowed width permitted for 24-inch length to accommodate features in the composite structure
Photo of an elevated accessible route narrowed to 32 inches.

Slide 56 Openings
•	Shall not allow passage of a sphere more than 1/2 inch diameter
•	Elongated openings shall be placed so that the long dimension is perpendicular to the dominant direction of travel. 
•	Opening criteria only applies when elevated access is by ramp

Illustration of round 1 inch openings in a play component deck surface.
Illustration of elongated openings, such as in a grating, are shown in plan view with openings 2 inch (13 mm) maximum in one dimension.  The other dimension is longer (unspecified) and is perpendicular to the dominant direction of travel.

Slide 57 Changes in Level
•	Changes in level of 1/4 inch high maximum permitted to be vertical. 
o	Elevation drawing of a change in level between the surfaces of two parallel planes with a vertical edge that is 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) high maximum.

•	Changes in level between 1/4 inch high minimum and 1/2 inch high maximum must be beveled with a slope not steeper than 1:2. 

•	Changes in level greater than 1/2 inch high must be ramped.
o	Elevation drawing of a change in level 1/4 to 2 inches (6.4 - 13 mm) high that is beveled with a slope of 1:2.

Slide 58 Ramps
•	Photo of Young girl in wheelchair on elevated accessible route.
•	Photo of a large composite play structure with elevated accessible routes and ramps.

Slide 59 Running Slope
Photo of a boy using a wheelchair descending a ramp with handrails on both sides.
Photo of 12’ ramp
Maximum running slope for ramps on elevated accessible routes = 1:12 
Graphic depicting the 1 to 12 maximum ramp slope.
Slide 60 Ramp Rise
Rise of a ramp is the amount of vertical distance the inclined or slanted surface ascends or descends. 

Maximum 12 inch vertical rise
Photo of Ramp at play equipment.

Slide 61 Handrails
•	Continuous within the full length of the ramp run  

•	Gripping surfaces with a circular cross section must have an outside diameter of 0.95 in. min. and 1.55 in. max. 

•	No extensions required
Photo of handrails on a ramp serving a composite play structure.

Slide 62 Handrails
•	Top of handrail gripping surfaces must be 20 in. min. and 28 in. max. above the ramp surface.

•	Clearance between handrail gripping surfaces and adjacent surfaces = 1 1/2 in. min.

Slide 63 Edge Protection
•	Edge protection – extend deck 12 inches minimum OR provide a curb/barrier within 4 inches of ramp surface (Photo of Handrail on ramp serving play structure.)
•	The cross section of a ramp with handrails is shown where the ramp surface extends 12 inches (305 mm) minimum to the outside of the handrails.

•	An elevation drawing shows a vertical clearance of less than 4 inches (100 mm) between the ramp surface and the bottom edge of a horizontal rail.

Slide 64 Turning Space
•	Turning or maneuvering space is defined as the space required for a wheelchair to make a 180-degree turn.  Plan view of a turning circle with a 60 inch (1525 mm) diameter. 

•	At least one turning space must be provided on the same level as elevated play components. Plan view of t-turn space where each segment is at least 60 inches (1525 mm) long and 36 inches (915 mm) wide.

Slide 65 Landings
•	Level landings required at the top and bottom of elevated ramps
•	If ramps change direction = 60 in. by 60 in. min.
•	As wide as the ramp leading to it & 60 inches minimum in length

Photo of Children playing with panels on level landing of a composite play structure.

Slide 66 Cross Slope
•	Cross slope of ramp runs must not be steeper than 1:48. 
•	Cross slope is the slope of the surface perpendicular to the direction of travel.
Photo of Wheelchair cross slope diagram.

Slide 67 Turning Space, Landings, and Clear Floor or Ground Spaces may overlap
Photo of Child in wheelchair on level landing of an elevated play structure.

Slide 68 Transfer Systems
•	Transfer platforms
•	Transfer steps
•	Transfer supports
•	Clear floor or ground space

Photo of: transfer system with shallow steps, Girl in wheelchair transferring to transfer platform and photo of children playing on transfer platform and transfer steps. 

Slide 69 Less than 20 Elevated Play components
	May use a transfer system, instead of ramps, to connect at least 50% of the elevated components 
Photo of a small elevated play structure.

Slide 70 Transfer Systems
•	Consists of a transfer platform and transfer steps
Photo Young boy crawling down transfer steps of a composite play structure.
•	 Individual transfers, or “bumps” or crawls up and down to access play components
Photo of a girl with a wheelchair using a transfer system.

Slide 71 Transfer Platform
•	14 in. deep X 24 in. wide minimum 
•	11– 18 in. above the floor or ground surface
•	24 in. side to be unobstructed 

Where it is expected that an individual would transfer onto the play structure and leave behind their wheelchair or mobility device

Photo of transfer platform. Photo of Young girl transferring to a transfer platform.

Slide 72 Transfer Steps
•	14 in. deep by 24 in. wide minimum
•	8 in. maximum height 
Photo of transfer steps and a transfer platform. Photo of young boy traversing up a set of transfer steps to an elevated play structure.

Slide 73 Transfer Supports
A means of support must be provided. Photo of Transfer platform with handrails. Photo of Young girl transfering to a transfer platform using handholds.

Slide 74 Clear Floor and Ground Space
Adjacent to platform

Figure (a) is an elevation drawing showing a transfer platform with a surface height 11 to 18 inches (280 to 455 mm) above the ground.  Figure (b) is a plan view of the platform having a depth of 14 inches (355 mm) minimum and a width of 24 inches (610 mm) minimum.  A clear ground space that is 48 inches (1220 mm) long minimum is centered on this dimension parallel to the 24 in (610 mm) minimum long unobstructed side of the transfer platform.

Photo of a young girl in wheelchair begining to transfer to platform of a composite play structure.

Slide 75 Transfer System Design
Limiting the distance required for movement
Photo of elevated play structure. 

Slide 76 Connected Elevated Play Components
•	Where transfer systems are used…
–	Elevated play components may connect other elevated play components
–	Care must be taken
Photo of Crawl tube connecting elevated decks. Photo of Elevated walkway with handrails connecting elevated play components.

Slide 77 Accessible Play Components
•	 Clear floor or ground space
•	 Entry points and seats
•	 Play tables
•	 Reach ranges

Photo of two young boys sitting on play structure. Photo of Girl in a wheelchair playing and  a girl standing playing with a panel on the side of a play structure, at ground level.

Slide 78 Accessible Play Component Guidelines 
Integration of accessible play components with other components
Photo of Play area with sand surface. Children using sand diggers. Photo of Several boys seated on the play structure one using a wheelchair.

Slide 79 Clear Floor or Ground Space
•	30 in. x 48 in. min.
•	Discretionary placement
•	Applies to ground-level & elevated components accessed  by ramp
Photo of child in wheelchair playing with a steering wheel attached to a play panel.
Plan view of clear floor space 30 inches (760 mm) wide and 48 inches (1220 mm) long.

Slide 80 Entry Points and Seats
•	11 in. minimum to 24 in. maximum above the ground or floor surface
•	Mid-level height of 18 in. is recommended

Photo of:
•	Two boys seated on a play structure. 
•	Young kids playing with a plastic race car that fuctions as a spring rocker.
•	Photo of a climbing wall that connects the ground to an elevated play structure.

Slide 81 Play Tables
•	For ages 5 years old and over
•	Knee clearance minimums
–	24 inches high 
–	30 inches wide
–	17 inches deep

•	Top of rim 31 inches maximum

Photo of Two young girls playing at a play table. One girl is seated in a wheelchair.
Photo of a young boy in a wheelchair digging in an elevated sand play table.

Slide 82 Play Tables – Under 5
May provide a parallel approach instead of knee clearance if the rim is a maximum of 31 in. high. Photo of Young boy using hand canes standing at a play table.

Slide 83 Reach ranges
	Recommended specifications for locating manipulative features on play components within the reach of individuals using mobility devices 
Illustration of high and low side reaches of girl using wheelchair. 
Photo of a boy using a wheelchair at an interactive play panel.
Illustration of high and low forward reaches of boy using a wheelchair.

Slide 84 Reach Ranges 
3-4 year olds: 20 to 36 in.
5-8 year olds: 18 to 40 in.
9-12 year olds: 16 to 44 in.
Photo of Children playing at a playground. 
Photo of Three children playing with interactive play panels. One boy uses a walker.

Slide 85 Water Play Components
Ground level access and transfer access to elevated play components required
Photo of a water splash park. A photo of a water play structure. A photo of Children in the splash pad one boy in a wheelchair.

Slide 86 Soft Contained Play Structure Entry Points
A play structure made of one or more components where the user enters a fully enclosed environment that utilizes pliable materials
Photo of entry point of a soft contained play area.
•	3 or fewer entry points = 1 on accessible route
•	4 or more entry points = 2 on accessible route
Image of soft contained play structure
Transfer system permitted

Slide 87 RESOURCES
•	Toll-free technical assistance hotline (800) 872-2253
•	Phone: (TTY) (202) 272-0082
•	E-mail
–	ta@access-board.gov

Cover of the Guide to ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Play Areas.

Slide 88 Questions?

Slide 89 Where to direct questions 
U.S. Department of Justice
•	Implementing regulation and additional requirements
•	Requirements for existing facilities – title II & III

    (800) 514-0301 (voice)
    (800) 514-0383 (TTY)
	www.ada.gov

   U.S. Access Board
•	2010 Accessibility Standards for new construction and alterations

(800) 872-2253 (voice) 
(800) 993-2822 (TTY)
(202) 272-0081 (FAX)
ta@access-board.gov
www.access-board.gov

Slide 90 Thank you for participating in today’s webinar
Next scheduled session: “Accessible Residential Facilities”  
January 6, 2011
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET