What are the requirements for physical access for public accommodations?
A newly constructed public accommodation must meet all of the physical access requirements of the ADA Access Guidelines (ADAAG), unless a state standard is stricter. For example, in Illinois, most of the state standards in the Illinois Accessibility Code (IAC) are stricter, so the IAC should be followed. The ADAAGs give an exemption to the general requirements of an elevator in new construction if the building is less than 3 stories tall or has less than 3,000 square feet per story (with certain exceptions to the exemption). The IAC has no such exemption and thus would have to be followed. A public accommodation being remodeled must have the part being altered accessible to the “maximum extent feasible” according to the ADAAGs. If the part being altered is a primary function area (e.g., training center), then that area must be connected to the main entrance by an accessible route which includes accessible bathrooms, drinking fountains, etc. along the route. It is possible that a public
