Accessibility standards are integrated throughout these Design Guidelines. The design and management team for each project must discuss school programming and scheduling to determine use of spaces and age groups or class level of students using various elements of the school to determine which standard to follow for heights of particular elements, such as sinks, grab bars, water closets, storage, etc.
The Federal government, state, and city of Chicago all have laws and rules that govern work in Chicago Public Schools. The various laws may conflict, however the strictest law always governs. In addition, CPS policy may require specific additional requirements that exceed those laws. The scoping sections of the IAC and Chicago Building Code indicate standards for new construction, alterations and additions. Title Il of the ADA, which applies to public elementary and high schools requires access to each type of program or service.
Regulations that apply to alterations, additions and new construction projects:
- The Chicago Building Code (CBC) Chapter 18-11 with ANSI-2018 as the accessibility standard
- The Illinois Accessibility Code (IAC)
- The Americans with Disabilities Act Design Guidelines (ADAAG)
Codes and regulations are subject to occasional modifications. Designers must use the most recent version of each applicable standard.
- Chapter 18 -11 of the CBC was revised in 2019 and became effective in December 2019. Modifications to the accessibility chapter are typically incorporated in the annual CBC update, published in or around November each year. The latest version of the CBC found on the City of Chicago website. ANSI standards must be purchased from the International Code Council.) The standards in the three regulations are similar, but when they are different the most stringent standard must be followed.
- The current version of the IAC became effective in October 2018 and remains in effect. It can be found on the Capital Development Board website.
- The current version of ADAAG became effective in January 2010 and can be found on the US Access Board website.
Terms that may be useful when discussing accessibility:
Accessible Route
Any continuous unobstructed route through a building or site that allows passage of a wheelchair.
Circulation Route
Any route through a building or site used by persons with visual impairments. This route typically follows the edge of a walkway or the joint between the wall and the floor which are used for detectable directional guidance.
Path of Travel
A term used in the ADA regulations associated with standards for alterations to areas of primary function. The path of travel includes the route to that space and accessible elements along that route such as parking spaces, walkways, building entrances, toilet rooms, and water fountains. (This term is inferred in the CBC in the section addressing alterations to a primary function.)
Primary Function Area
A term used in the ADA regulations associated with standards for Path of Travel improvements (see Volume 4/ Renovations). Primary Function Areas are spaces or areas at a facility which serve essential functions associated with the purpose for which the facility was designed. These areas include, but are limited to classrooms, libraries, cafeterias, gymnasiums, playgrounds, athletic fields, swimming pools, weight rooms, etc.