Frequently Asked Questions
Historic Preservation and Accessibility
Q: What are "historic properties"?
A: These are properties that are listed or that are eligible for listing in the National Register or Historic Places, or properties designated as historic under State or local law.
Q: Are historic properties exempt from complying with accessibility requirements under the ADA?
A: No. Alterations to historic properties must comply with the historic property provisions of the ADA Standards for Accessible Design (ADAAG), to the maximum extent feasible. Title II entities also have the choice of using the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) to achieve compliance. Under those provisions, alterations should be done in full compliance with the alterations standards for other types of buildings. However, if following the usual standards would threaten or destroy the historic significance of a feature of the building, alternative standards may be used. The decision to use alternative standards for that feature must be made in consultation with the appropriate advisory board designated in ADAAG, and interested persons should be invited to participate in the decision-making process.
Q: What are the alternative requirements?
A: The alternative requirements provide a minimal level of access. For example --
- An accessible route is only required from one site access point (such as the parking lot).
- A ramp may be steeper than is ordinarily permitted.
- The accessible entrance does not need to be the one used by the general public.
- Only one accessible toilet is required and it may be unisex.
- Accessible routes are only required on the level of the accessible entrance.
Q: What if complying with even these minimal alternative requirements will threaten or destroy the historic significance?
A: In such a case, which is rare, structural changes need not be made. Rather, alternative methods can be used to provide access, such as providing auxiliary aids or modifying policies.
For example: A historic house is being altered to be used as a museum. The architect designing the project concludes that most of the normal standards for alterations can be applied during the renovation process without threatening or destroying historic features. There appears, however, to be a problem if one of the interior doors is widened, because historic decorative features on the door might be destroyed. After consulting ADAAG, the architect determines that the appropriate historic body with jurisdiction over the particular historic home is the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The architect sets up a meeting with the Council, to which a local disability group is invited.
At the meeting the participants agree with the architect's conclusion that the normal alterations standards cannot be applied to the interior door. They then review the special alternative requirements, which require an accessible entrance. The meeting participants determine that application of the alternative minimal requirements is likewise not possible. In this situation, the museum owner is not required to widen the interior door. Instead, the owner modifies the usual operational policies and provides alternative access to the activities offered in the inaccessible room by making available a video presentation of the items within the inaccessible room. The video can be viewed in a nearby accessible room in the museum.
Q: Does the special limitation apply to title II programs that are not historic preservation programs, but just happen to be located in historic properties?
A: No. In these cases, nonstructural methods of providing program accessibility, such as relocating all or part of a program or making home visits, are available to ensure accessibility, and no special limitation protecting the historic structure is provided.
[Sources: "Title II Technical Assistance Manual section II-5.5000," 
(www.ada.gov/taman2.html) Department of Justice, and "Title III Technical Assistance Manual section III-6.4000," (www.ada.gov/taman3.html) Department of Justice.]
