The Federal Americans with Disabilities Act is a Civil Rights type legislation that local Building Officials are required to administer, and which is ultimately enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The City of Gainesville has adopted the State of Texas Architectural Barriers Act (TAB), for handicap requirements.

1. All new projects with a value of over $50,000.00 are required to be approved for accessibility by the State or one of their approved contractors.
   
   
2. One of their requirements is that anything above or below the ground floor, which is not wheelchair accessible, shall have an elevator installed, or get a variance approved by the State.
   
   
3. A copy of the State plan approval letter is required to be provided to the City by State Law.
   
   
4. All remodeling projects over $25,000.00 in value are required to be approved for accessibility by the State.
   
   
5. The Responsible Architect or Engineer of the project is required to have his plans submitted to the State within five (5) days of sealing the plans.
   
   
6. If you don’t have an architect or engineer employed for these issues, go out and get one.  The City of Gainesville is not authorized to approve your accessibility plans.

All state and federal documents are currently under review and may have changes in the near future. All hold the property owner and the design professional responsible for compliance.

The following is a list of the most common issues from these documents that are looked for by the City of Gainesville Inspection Department:

1. Carpet pile not to exceed 1/2" in accessible route.
   
   
2. Door threshold plates not to exceed 1/2".
   
   
3. Lever type or other acceptable door hardware.
   
   
4. Exit doors to swing in direction of egress, and all exits are required to be accessible.
   
   
5. Door closer tension properly adjusted.
   
   
6. Ramps for grade changes greater than 6".
   
   
7. Ramps properly constructed to correct grade.
   
   
8. Landings at correct locations and correct size.
   
   
9. Handrails properly constructed to correct configuration.
   
   
10. Handrails on both sides of ramps.
    
    
11. ADA telephone correct height. (First pay phone to be ADA)
    
    
12. Correct hi/lo type ADA drinking fountain where required.
    
    
13. Wall outlets and switches correct height.
    
    
14. Countertops and workstations correct height.
    
    
15. Correct number of ADA parking spaces. The first space is to be van accessible, and correct location and types of signs.
    
    
16. All informational and directional signs to be tactile.
    
    
17. Restrooms to be accessible to include:
    a.  Correct locations and amount of grab bars.
    b.  Required turning circles in front of fixtures.
    c.  Required numbers and types of fixtures per type of occupancy      involved, and arrangement thereof. 
    d.  Correct location and type of tissue holders.
    e.  Required height/location of fixtures.
    f.   Correct location and size of mirrors.
    g.  Correct type of faucet handles.
    h.  Correct location of accessory items, such as paper towel
      dispensers, sanitary napkin dispensers, diaper changing     stations, etc.
    i.  Considerations of potty-parity law.
    
    
18. Height of lunch counters / tray racks.
    
    
19. Required ADA seating.
    
    
20. Width of aisles in mercantile establishments.
    
    
21. Locations of fire extinguishers.
    
    
22. Special requirements for the blind and deaf for hotel rooms and places of public assembly.
    
    
23. Number of accessible rooms in hotels, motels and apartments.
    
    
24. Accessible sidewalk ramps.
    
    
25. Elevator / lift requirements.
    
    
26. Model homes, modular offices and similar structures and uses must be ADA accessible.
    
    
27. New homes for sale to the general public are required to be able to be made accessible without changing any of the structural elements of the home.
    
    
28. Employers in non-accessible buildings are required to provide accommodations for handicapped employees.
    
    
29. Overhead doors may not be used as ADA exits or entrances.

This list is not intended to be all-inclusive, as new issues or special situations may arise at any time.