Shelter Accessibility Standards for People with Disabilties

​I. Access to Building and Reception Area

• Accessible curb cuts or curb ramps
  
• Automatic doors or handles with appropriate pull bars/panic bars or levers
  
• Level landings (minimum 60” long)
  
• Thresholds of doors no greater than ¾ of an inch
  
• Accessible parking with van accessible parking spaces
  

II. Access within Shelter

• Routes between shelter areas are free of objects up to 80 inches from the ground
  
• Hallways are accessible with ramps/lifts
  
• Raised letters or Braille available on directional signs including but not limited to floor identifiers, call buttons, elevators, etc.
  
• Policies and procedures include alternative methods of communication for people with disabilities
  
• Backup source of electrical power for facility refrigerators, coolers, etc.
  

​III. Access to Multiple Levels of Shelter

• Elevator provided to each level on which sheltering services or activity area is located
  
• Call button on elevator less than or equal to 42 inches
  
• Elevators have audible tones/bells/announcements to identify each floor or an emergency alarm
  
• If elevator is not present in facility and multiple levels are used for shelter, wheelchair lift is provided
  

IV. Accessible and Accommodating Restrooms

• Sign with raised letters or Braille identifying restroom
  
• Doorway into restroom provides 32 inch clear passage width
  
• Stall with out-swinging door (inside stall greater or equal to 60 inches wide and 56 inches deep
  
• Grab bars in stall 33-36 inches wide
  
• Top of toilet seat 17-19 inches from floor
  
• Sinks less than or equal to 34 inches from floor
  
• Towel dispenser less than or equal to 39 inches from floor
  
• 60 inch minimum turn space outside of bathroom stall
  

V. Accessible and Accommodating Showers

• Shower stall (minimum 36 inches by 36 inches)
  
• Shower seat 17-19 inches from floor
  
• Grab bars 33-36 inches from floor
  
• Hand-held spray unit with hose at least 60 inches long
  

VI. Accessible and Accommodating Cafeterias

• Tables 28-34 inches from floor
  
• Accessible spaces at tables with fixed seating
  
• Serving line [counter] 28-34 inches from floor
  
• Aisles (minimum 38 inches wide, free of objects up to 80 inches from floor)
  
• Drinking fountains less than or equal to 27 inches from floor
  

VII. Accessible Telephones

• Maximum 48 inches from floor
  
• TTY or TDD phone(s) available
  
• Earpiece or volume controls on phones
  
• Signs directing people to nearest TTY accessible phone(s)
  

VIII. Accessible Sleeping Area

• Accessible routes greater than or equal to 36 inches wide that connect sleeping area with other shelter activity areas
  
• 100 square feet of space per individual with wheelchair and/or service animal
  
• Accessible cots (preferably same height off floor as wheelchair)
  
• Cots available for positioning next to walls to support people with disabilities while sitting up
  
• Cots able to be positioned in easily identifiable areas for blind individuals or those with visual impairments (example: 1st in a row)
  
• Cots available in areas with varied lighting
  
• “Stress-free” areas for people whose disability is affected by noise and confusion​