February 2, 2011 AccessibilityOnline Webinar “ Accessible Courthouses”

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. Audio and visual are provided through the on-line webinar system.   

This session is closed captioned.  Individuals may also listen via telephone by dialing 712-432-3100 code 930098 # (This is not a Toll Free number)
The content and materials of this training are property of the US Access Board and the Great Lakes ADA Center and cannot be used and/or distributed without permission.  This program is funded through a contract 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) www.AccessibilityOnline.org

Slide 2:
Webinar Features
Closed captioning – click  CC icon (top of screen) or control-F8 and adjust the captioning screen as needed
Customize your view – choose “View” from the menu bar at the top of the screen and choose the layout you prefer from the dropdown menu.
Questions - type and submit questions in the Chat Area Text box or press control-M and enter text in the Chat Area
Emotions/Hand-raising:  Please do not use these features during this session

Slide 3: 
Presenter 
U.S. Access Board Dave Yanchulis 

Slide 4: 
Accessible Courthouses Session Agenda 

Slide 5: 
New ADA Standards DOJ’s 2010 standards (mandatory March 15)  
Image of the cover of the 2010 ADA Standards (DOJ), cover of the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines (2004) and the DOJ seal

Slide 6: 
ADA and ABA Standards State & Local Courthouses:
ADA Standards  Federal Courthouses:   ABA Standards (GSA) 
Image of a Government building and the GSA logo

Slide 7: 
ADA and ABA Standards 
§206 Accessible Routes
§231 Judicial Facilities
§808 Courtrooms
§807 Holding Cells Image of an open book

Slide 8: 
Courthouse Accessibility 
Too often treated as an afterthought.   Must be integrated into all stages of design, including mock-ups.  Can be achieved without compromising security, sightlines, and other requisites. Image of a courtroom mock-up (jury box)

Slide 9: 
Advisory Committee 
Courthouse Access Advisory Committee
Group photo of Courthouse Access Advisory Committee

Slide 10: 
Committee Report 
Guidance on: Meeting the Standards
Best Practices; Common Errors; Image of cover of the Courthouse Access Advisory Committee report

Slide 11: 
Entrances 

Slide 12: 
Entrances (§206.4) 
Public Entrances:  60% min. (plus those serving parking structures, elevated walkways/ tunnels) Restricted Entrances:  at least 1 Detainee/ Inmate Entrances:  at least 1 

Slide 13: 
Entrances
Best practices: Minimize elev. at entry/ avoid plinths 
 Access to primary entrance  Door automation (required for Federal) 
Image of courthouse entrance

Slide 14: 
Entrances
Plinths often require complex access routes
Image of courthouse with many steps to entrance with complex ramp highlighted

Slide 15: 
Entrances
Automation of Exterior Doors
Required: Federal Courthouses (GSA’s Public Building Standards)
Recommended:  Other Courthouses 

Slide 16: 
Entrances 
Bollards and other security barriers cannot obstruct accessible routes (§206.8) Photo of concrete security bollards

Slide 17: 
Entrances 
Accessible route required through or around security screen devices (§206.8)
Photo of entrance with security screening (metal detector)

Slide 18: 
Restricted Entrances
2-Way Communication Devices:
Visual and audible signals required ((§230) Image of intercom station

Slide 19: 
Detainee/Inmate Entrances 
Exceptions for manual doors operated only by security personnel (§404.1):
Hardware  
Closing speed; Opening force
Automatic: only clear width & threshold requirements apply) Image of a cell door. 

Slide 20: 
Courtrooms 

Slide 21: 
Scoping 
 New Construction:  All Courtrooms (§231)
 Alterations: Each altered courtroom (§202)
Existing: Program Access Image of a courtroom

Slide 22: 
Courtrooms
3D drawing of courtroom interior showing labeled areas and elements

Slide 23: 
Courtroom Entrances 
Doors compliance with §404
 5 lbf max opening force otherwise automate
Photo of courtroom entrance doors
 Slide 24: 
Courtroom Entrances 
Automated Doors (§404.3) 
Clear floor space at controls located outside door swing
Drawing of Clear floor space at door control shown in plan view outside the swing of door
 
Slide 25: 
Courtroom Entrances
Doors in series (§404.2.6) 
48” min. separation between swing of doors 
Drawing of Person using wheelchair shown between two doors in series occupying maneuvering clearance at one door that is outside the swing of the other 

Slide 26: 
Courtroom Signage 
 Courtroom Number/ Labels: visual and tactile (§216)
Also required for: 
Other room numbers
 “Permanent” room labels, including restrooms 
 Exits
 Floors Levels 
Photo of courtroom entrance with signage and image of room number sign with raised numbers and Braille

Slide 27: 
Courtroom Signage 
 Visual only: directional and informational signs, rules of conduct
Exempt: occupant names, building names, temporary signs 
Image of a Sign: "No Cell Phone Use, Please" with logo 
 
Slide 28: 
Gallery Seating
Photo of gallery seating area of courtroom

Slide 29: 
Gallery Seating 
Wheelchair spaces required according to total seating capacity (§221)
Total 		W/C Spaces 
4-25		1 
26-50		2 
51-150	4 
151-300	5

Slide 30: 
Gallery Seating 
 Wheelchair spaces must be located within seating footprint 
Drawing of Plan view of gallery seating area with 4 wheelchair spaces along center aisle (2 each side)

Slide 31: 
Gallery Seating 
Assembly Area Wheelchair Space (§802)
Front or Rear Entry 36” x 48” min. Side Entry 36” x 60” min.
Drawing of wheelchair space 36" by 48" min. for rear or side entry and 36" by 60" min. for side entry 

Slide 32: 
Gallery Seating
WC spaces must be located to provide shoulder to shoulder alignment with adjacent seating. Drawing of wheelchair space aligned for shoulder-to-shoulder alignment with adjacent bench; should centerline measured 36" from front of space

Slide 33: 
Gates 
Recommendation:  No Gates
Photo of courtroom with no gate in rail

Slide 34: 
Gates (§404) 
 32” min. clear width (1 leaf) Smooth surface on push side.  Opening force:  5 lbf max.
 Closing speed (spring hinges - 1.5 sec. min.)  Compliant hardware. Photo of courtroom double-leaf gate

Slide 35: 
Jury Box and Witness Stand 
 Clear floor space within defined area (removable seats allowed)
 Gates/ enclosures: unassisted access  Ramp or lift (if raised) – must be permanent
 Not allowed: portable solutions, fold-out/ telescoping ramps (except in some retrofits)
 Turning space in areas served by ramp

Slide 36: 
Clear Floor Space (§305) 
Forward Approach 
Greater width (36”) required where space is confined more than half the depth 
Image of clear floor space 30" wide by 48" deep min. or 36" min. wide if confined on both sides for more than 24" 

Slide 37: 
Clear Floor Space 
Side Approach 
Greater length (60”) required where space is recessed/ confined more than half the width. Image of clear floor space 60" long min. and confined at the front and back more than 15"

Slide 38: 
Clear Floor Space 
Knee and Toe Clearance Drawing of Clear floor space with counter overlapping the front shown in plan and side view with knee clearance 27" high min.

Slide 39: 
Jury Box and Witness Stand 
Alterations:  If ramp/ lift would obstruct MOE, wheelchair space can be located outside defined area (§808.3) Qualified historic facilities – departures allowed where compliance would impact historic integrity (§202.5)

Slide 40:
Jury Box
Row at floor level provides easier access. Image of Jury box with first row at floor level 60" deep min. that contains wheelchair space with side entry at one end

Slide 41: 
Jury Box
Turning space required on levels served by ramp (or lifts with entry ramps). Image of jury box with front tier raised accessed by ramp; turning space shown between ramp and wheelchair space of first row 

Slide 42: 
Jury Box
Turning space can overlap WC space (If not serving other locations, such as witness stand). Image of jury box with front tier raised accessed by ramp; turning space shown overlapping wheelchair space of first row 

Slide 43: 
Turning Space (§304) 
60” min. diameter circle T shaped space. Turning space can be at circular or T-shaped  Image of Turning circle and T-shaped turning space in plan view

Slide 44: 
Ramps (§405) 
Handrails both sides if rise > 6” edge protection. 60” min. landings (as wide as ramp) _ Drawing of Ramp with landings 60" long min. at top and bottom, a running slope of 1:12 max., a width 36" min., edge protection, and handrails on both side if rise exceeds 6"

Slide 45: 
Jury Box
Back-in space requires less space but entry gates often impact usability. Drawing of Jury box with first row at floor level and wheelchair space at end of row accessed from the front through a gate in the enclosure

Slide 46: 
Jury Box 
Gates at WC space that do not provide unassisted access should be avoided 
Often heavy due to millwork (> 5 lbf max. opening force)
Difficult to manually close from within space Photo of jury box with front gate in enclosure at accessible location

Slide 47: 
Jury Box 
Another example of enclosure with gate at WC space
Photo of jury box with front gate in enclosure at accessible location and additional view of jury box with front gate in enclosure at accessible location 
 
Slide 48: 
Witness Stand 
Witness stand at floor level provides easier access      
Photo of witness stand at floor level

Slide 49: 
Witness Stand 
If raised, ramps preferred means of access
Image of witness stand accessed by ramp
 
Slide 50: 
Witness Stand 
WC space confined at front and back – 60” min. length required for side entry
Drawing of Witness stand with wheelchair space 60" long min. shown in plan view

Slide 51: 
Witness Stand 
Turning space required on levels served by ramp (or lifts with entry ramps).
Raised witness stand in plan view with access ramp, wheelchair space overlapped by counter with knee and toe space below, and circular turning space partially overlapping the space 

Slide 52:
 Witness Stand 
T-shaped turning space (alternative to 60” circle). Raised witness stand in plan view served by ramp and containing T-shaped turning space 

Slide 53: 
Ramps v. Lifts 
Ramps recommended over lifts:  Preferred by most users Independent use, less conspicuous  Reliable – no maintenance

Slide 54: 
Platform Lifts 
Considerations:
Custom design – no standard design for courtrooms.   Architectural finishes and platform/ enclosure details  Unassisted Operation  Maintenance/ Repair
 Compliance with §410 and ASME A18.1 Standard

Slide 55:
Platform Lifts 
ASME A18.1 Standard (2008) has new section on Courtroom Lifts 
(This edition not yet referenced by the ADA & ABA standards) Cover of the ASME A18.1 Standard (2008)
 
Slide 56: 
Lift Drive Systems
Cantilevered Platform (Screw Drive ) Lift; Electric/Scissor Lift; Four –Cornered Screw Drive Lift 

Slide 57: 
Platform Lifts
Lift in normal position at level of witness stand. Image of Lift shown in position at witness stand level

Slide 58: 
Platform Lifts
Lift at lower level – doors closed, roll up barrier extended. Image of Lift platform at floor level with roll-up barrier extended

Slide 59: 
Platform Lifts
Door open at lower position; automated step/ramp.Image of lift door open with automated step/ entry ramp system

Slide 60: 
Platform Lifts
Lift in mid travel (witness stand floor) Image of lift platform at mid travel (witness stand floor)

Slide 61: 
Platform Lifts
Lift at upper level (judge’s bench) Image of lift platform at level of judge's bench

Slide 62: 
Platform Lifts
Photo of witness stand with integrated lift system

Slide 63: 
Platform Lifts
Roll-up Barrier Stowed Photo of interior of witness stand lift platform with roll-up barrier in stowed position

Slide 64: 
Platform Lifts
Roll-up Barrier Extended
Image of interior of witness stand lift platform with roll-up barrier in raised position

Slide 65: 
Platform Lifts 
Recommendations:
Coordination of millwork and lift design/ installation is essential
Establish minimum warranty requirements  Local/ regional service and parts availability

Slide 66: 
Judge’s Bench/ Work Stations (including clerk, court reporter, bailiff stations)
Clear floor space/knee & toe space Work surfaces (28” – 34” height) Vertical access (adaptability permitted) drawing of Clear floor space at judge's bench, clerk station, and court reporter station shown in plan view

Slide 67: 
Judge’s Bench/ Work Stations 
Ramp or lift can be installed after construction if  necessary  space/ electrical service provided (§206.2.4) Not permitted for jury box or witness stand
Allowed by IBC (2009) - but not earlier editions
State/ local requirements may be stricter

Slide 68: 
Judge’s Bench/ Work Stations 
Best practices:
Vertical access provided in construction: in all courtrooms or at least 1 of each type of courtroom (adaptable access in the rest) 

Slide 69: 
Judge’s Bench 
Recommendations:  Ramp instead of lift Installed in construction Located outside courtroom (security, decorum) Photo of a Judge's bench

Slide 70: 
Judge’s Bench 
Ramp location behind wall
Ottawa County Courthouse Grand Haven, Michigan (HDR/FTC+H) 
3D drawing of judge's bench area with ramp located behind wall 
 
Slide 71: 
Judge’s Bench 
Ramp location behind wall Ottawa County Courthouse Grand Haven, Michigan (HDR/FTC+H) Plan view drawing of judge's bench area with ramp located behind wall
 
Slide 72: 
Judge’s Bench 
Lift location behind wall Kent County Courthouse Grand Rapids, Michigan (Tower Pinkster/HOK) Photo of Judge's bench and photo of lift serving judge's bench located behind wall 
 
Slide 73: 
Sample Courtroom (2,400 SF)
Plan of 2400 sf courtroom with separation between entry vestibule doors in series, gallery seating with 4 wheelchair spaces, jury box (first row) and witness stand at 6" elevation served by 1 ramp, clerk and court reporter stations with 6" elevation served by ramp, and judge's bench at 18" elevation served by ramp located in back corridor.  All raised areas contain circular turning space. 

Slide 74: 
Sample Courtroom (1, 800 SF
Plan of 1800 of courtroom with separation between entry vestibule doors in series, gallery seating with 4 wheelchair spaces, jury box with first row at floor level containing wheelchair space, witness stand at 6" elevation served by  ramp, clerk station at 6" elevation served by ramp, and judge's bench at 18" elevation served by ramp located in back corridor.  All raised areas contain circular turning space. 

Slide 75: 
Lecterns 
Compliance required where fixed or built-in Photo of courtroom lectern

Slide 76: 
Lecterns 
Best practice recommendations: Image of Lectern (side view) with adjustable surface 28" to 44" height, adjustable surface angle, top edge adjustable with surface, and knee/ toe space 27" high at 17" deep min.

Slide 77: 
Assistive Listening Systems 
Required in each courtroom (§219) Technologies (IR, loop, FM) Receivers (number, hearing-aid compatibility) Signs Photo of Assistive listening system
 
Slide 78: 
Assistive Listening Systems 
Signs required to indicate the availability of systems Sign indicating the availability of assistive listening system: "Assistive Listening Device Available See Clerk" 
 
Slide 79: 
Holding Cells 

Slide 80: 
Holding Cells (§231.3) 
Central and Court-Floor holding areas
Access to at least one of each type (e.g., male/ female, adult/ juvenile) Each courtroom served by at least one accessible cell Cells may serve more than one courtroom 

Slide 81: 
Holding Cells (§807) Doors (exceptions if operated only by security personnel) 
Turning Space Benches (if provided) Image of Cell area in plan view with wheelchair space adjacent to bench and turning circle 

Slide 82: 
Holding Cells (§807) 
Accessible toilet facilities Photo of Accessible toilet and lavatory serving holding cell

Slide 83: 
Visiting Areas
Access to counters on both the visitor and the detainee sides Method to facilitate voice communication Handset with volume control Non-contact visiting area with wheelchair accessible space and counter

Slide 84:
Other Courthouse Spaces; Jury Assembly Rooms; Jury Deliberation; Judges’ Suites 
Restrooms; Image of a Judge's chamber

Slide 85: 
Questions?
You may type and submit questions in the Chat Area Text Box or press Control-M and enter text in the Chat Area
 
Slide 86: 
U.S. Access Board (800) 872-2253 (voice) (800) 993-2822 (TTY) E-mail: ta@access-board.gov  www.access-board.gov 

Slide 87: 
Thank you for participating in today’s webinar next scheduled session:  
“2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design” March 1, 2012