Blog
‘Misc’ Category
The Elderly – Toilets & Grab Bars – Some Thoughts
The requirements in the ADA Standards apply to toilets and grab bars used by people for independent use and include medical and long-term care facilities. But in housing that supports seniors such as in nursing facilities and assisted living residential communities, there is also the necessity to provide for assisted-use for toileting needs.
Braille – An Overview for ‘High-Vision’ People & Others
Braille was originally developed by Charles Barbier, who was interested in alternate writing forms. Some thought it was a code he created that could be used by the army at night.
Service, Support, & Assistive Animals – and California
There has long been discussion about the differences between Service Animals per the ADA Standards and Support Animals per FHA or even Service Animals under the Air Carrier Access Act. But in California, we like to be different.
Protruding Objects – on a lighter note
I received an email today from someone at an Administrative Authority enquiring as to my opinion on protruding objects. Apparently they are reviewing a new construction project where the wall sconces are installed at less than 80″ above the finished floor, which is fine, but they project into the hallway more than 4″ which is not fine.
Pop-Up Restaurants and What You Need to Know About Access
Janis Kent, Architect, FAIA, CASp © September, 2020 With the continuation of our on-going plague, many restaurants are taking their seating area out to the public sidewalks, parking areas, and even onto the streets. While the concept of pop-up restaurants has been around for a while, it has evolved as a temporary outdoor add-on to existing […]
Social Service Center Establishments – What Are They?
I have received a number of questions on how to treat multi-family residential facilities that also have offices and other services, and whether these are considered multi-use facilities. And of course the answer is – it depends.
Access — Who is it for?
Time and again, I find that there is often confusion as to what Access means and who it is for. There is this overlying presumption that it is mostly for people who use wheelchairs. There are many types of disabilities. The question is – what are we doing and for who is it for.
Reflectorized Parking Signs – Exactly What is That?
One of the items that did not seem entirely clear to me was reflective or reflectorized signs for parking, and how do you recognize them, vs glossy or matt signs. At one point I looked for small dots in the signs but many of them seem to be faded with no added benefit that I could discern. And recently I have been seeing the signs with vertical type prism bands. So what is required, what is the difference, and what are we looking for?
Companion Animals, Service Animals, and Access
Many times issues come up regarding the presence of animals in public spaces and places of public accommodation. Most building/business owners (hopefully) know enough to allow the service animal in and that they can not ask a person with an animal what their disability is. But the question is – is the animal really a service animal – how can they tell, and which animals are they required to allow to enter the premises?
What is a Certified Access Specialist (CASp)? Interview of Janis Kent in Connection Magazine
I have been asked many times, what is a CASp (Certified Access Specialist program) and why is this program necessary. What I have found over the years is that Accessibility has become so complex, not only in the scoping and technical aspects but also which regulations apply. Typically this has been in the realm of architects, but determining which regulations and how to apply them many times depends upon money sourcing and whether it is a program of a public entity or a federal agency.