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Accessible Stadiums (key
features)
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The ADA requires new stadiums to
be accessible to people with disabilities so they, their families,
and friends can enjoy equal access to entertainment, recreation,
and leisure.
At least one percent of the seating
must be wheelchair accessible.
Accessible seating must be an integral part of the seating
plan so that people using wheelchairs are not isolated from
family and friends.
A companion seat must be provided
next to each wheelchair seating location and wheelchair seating
locations must be provided in all areas, including sky boxes
and specialty areas. Folding seats can be used in wheelchair
seating locations when the area isn't needed by a person using
a wheelchair.
Wheelchair seating locations must
be on an accessible route, providing access from parking and
transportation areas and connects to all public areas, including
restaurants, concessions, restrooms, public telephones and
exits.
Wheelchair seating locations must
provide lines of sight comparable to those provided to other
spectators. In addition to wheelchair seating locations, at
least one percent of all fixed seats in all seating areas
must be aisle seats with no armrest, or with a removable or
folding armrest on the aisle side to accommodate people with
limited mobility who do not use wheelchairs.
An accessible route must connect the wheelchair seating locations
with the stage(s), performing areas, arena or stadium floor,
dressing or locker rooms, and other spaces used by performers.
All concessions, including food
service areas, restaurants, and souvenir stands, must be accessible.
For example, lowered counters must be provided where goods
are provided and where cash registers are located. Condiments
and self-serve food items must be provided within reach of
a person using a wheelchair.
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An accessible route must provide
access to all public and common-use areas including the playing
field, locker rooms, dugouts, stages, swimming pools and warm-up
areas. The accessible route provides access for the public,
employees and athletes using the facility.
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When audible communications
are integral to the use of a stadium, assistive listening
systems are required for people who are hard of hearing. These
systems amplify sound and deliver it to a special receiver
that is worn by the spectator or spectator's hearing aid,
depending on the type of system used.
The stadium must provide receivers for the assistive listening
system. The number of available receivers must equal four
percent of the total number of seats.
Signs must be provided to notify spectators
of the availability of receivers for the assistive listening
system.
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When parking spaces are provided,
accessible parking spaces for cars and vans are required and
they must be the closest spaces to the accessible entrances
and must be on an accessible route.
If passenger drop-off areas are provided,
they must be accessible and an accessible route must connect
each accessible drop-off area with an accessible entrance(s).
Curb ramps must be provided if the drop off area is next to
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At least 50 percent of the entrances
must be accessible. Those that are not accessible must have
signs directing the public to the nearest accessible entrance.
Accessible entrances that have turnstiles
must also have an accessible gate or door.
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Each public and common-use (including
employee) restroom must be accessible. This includes rest
rooms in work areas and rest rooms located in skyboxes and
suites.
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Each bank of public telephones
must contain at least one or more wheelchair accessible telephones,
which must have the ability to amplify the volume at the handset.
A sign must identify telephones equipped with amplification.
At least one public TDD (telecommunications
device for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech
impairments) must be provided. Signs must identify the location
of the TDD and provide direction from other telephone banks.
For each bank of public telephones
with three or more units, at least one telephone must be equipped
with a shelf and electrical outlet to permit a person to use
a portable TDD.
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Drinking fountains must accommodate
people who use wheelchairs and people who stand but have difficulty
bending or stooping. Half of the unit must be wheelchair accessible
and the others must accommodate standing users.
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Where audible fire alarms or
emergency notification is provided, flashing lights are required
in public and common use areas, including toilet and bathrooms,
and along public corridors.
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Signs that identify permanent
rooms and spaces, such as those identifying rest rooms, exits
or room numbers, must have Braille and raised letters or numbers
so that they may be read visually or tactually (by feeling
the numbers with one's fingers). They must also meet specific
requirements for mounting location, color contrast, and non-glare
surface. Signs that provide direction to, or information about,
functional spaces must only comply with requirements for character
proportion, character height, and finish and contrast between
the characters and background.
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For more information about the
ADA's design and construction requirements, contact the Department
of Justice's toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301
(voice), and (800) 514-0383 (TDD). Detailed requirements can
be found in the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. The ADA
Standards and other useful technical assistance documents
are available from the ADA Information Line.
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