What are the specific standards for accessibility under the ADA? How does the ADAAG compare to other standards?
The standards to be used in new construction and alterations covered by the ADA are the ADA Standards for Accessible Design (ADA Standards). The substance and form of ADAAG is drawn from several sources, particularly the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) and the American National Standard Institute’s (ANSI) standards. The technical design standards in the ADA Standards for Accessible Design resemble the 1986 ANSI standards in large part. The numbering and format of the ADA Standards also resemble ANSI. However, there are significant differences between the ADA Standards and the 1986 ANSI standards. First, the ADA Standards contain scoping requirements—specifications as to how many, and under what circumstances, accessibility features must be incorporated. The ADA Standards also focus on certain areas not addressed in ANSI, such as dressing rooms, restaurants, automated teller machines, and mercantile establishments. The ADA Standards apply to all areas in new construction
