Opportunity RadarADA Accessibility
Requirements
Accessible routes, door clearances, ramps, restrooms, parking, elevators — the exact dimensions from the 2010 ADA Standards. Six free guides built for architects doing compliance checks.
ADA Compliance Guides
The dimensions and rules architects check most often, organized by element type.
ADA + IBC: how they work together
The ADA is federal civil rights law enforced by the DOJ. IBC Chapter 11 adopts accessibility requirements by reference and is enforced by local building departments. Both apply to most commercial and publicly accessible buildings.
- ADA 2010 Standards = the federal baseline
- IBC Chapter 11 references ICC A117.1 for technical specs
- When they differ, the more restrictive requirement governs
- Title II covers government buildings; Title III covers places of public accommodation
- Existing buildings: alterations trigger accessibility upgrades along the path of travel
Any alteration that affects usability triggers accessibility requirements along the "path of travel" to the altered area — typically up to 20% of the construction cost of the alteration. This includes accessible parking, routes, entrances, and restrooms.
New construction must be fully ADA compliant. Existing buildings must remove barriers when "readily achievable" — a lower standard than full compliance, but still legally enforceable. Document your barrier removal plan.
Need a full ADA compliance review?
The DataDrivenAEC Drawing Review agent reads your drawing set and flags ADA compliance issues — accessible routes, door clearances, restroom dimensions, ramp slopes — organized by sheet with severity and code reference.
- Flagged issues by sheet — not a raw list
- ADA section reference for every flag
- Severity: critical · advisory · note
- Delivered as a structured PDF to your inbox