ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) for Play Areas

ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) for Play Areas

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Access Board has developed guidelines for play areas that were previously made available for public comment. Presented here are highlights of the final version, which includes changes made as a result of the Board’s review of public comments.

The guidelines for play areas add a new section (15.6) to the Board’s ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), which cover access to the built environment in new construction and alterations. This section addresses only those play areas that are newly built or altered. (Generally, existing facilities, while subject to certain ADA requirements, are not addressed by ADAAG except where altered). The guidelines provide scoping requirements, which indicate what is to be accessible, and technical requirements, which explain how to achieve access. The guidelines cover play areas provided at schools, parks, child care facilities (except those based in the operator’s home, which are exempt), and other facilities subject to the ADA.