New ADA Guidelines for Public Pools
New rules took effect March 2011
New ADA guidelines have taken effect as of March 2011 which include changes to design and accessibility requirements for public and community swimming facilities. These facilities must be ADA-compliant, disability friendly, and accessible.
These rules apply to commercial swimming pools, wading pools, and spas. Existing swimming pools and facilities have one year, until March 15, 2012 to comply with the new legislation, after which they would become subject to fines, penalties, and possible litigation.
Title II (Public Industry) and Title III (Private Industry) of the ADA apply to swimming pools. These sections prohibit disability discrimination by public entities and commercial facilities. Examples of Title II facilities include municipalities, cities, counties, and school districts. Examples of Title III facilities include recreational facilities, hotels, and places of education.
Entities falling under Title II and Title III will be required to provide "accessible means of entry for pools". The type of means of access that is required, depends on the structure. Any commercial pool containing more than 300 linear feet of pool perimeter walls, will be required to provide two means of access that are wheelchair accessible. The means of access can be any two of the five designated means of access. They include, pool lifts, sloped entries or ramps, transfer walls, transfer systems, or accessible pool stairs. Each of these means must meet certain criteria. Pools with less than 300 feet of perimeter walls will require at least one mean of access, either a pool lift or a sloped entry (ramp). Wading pools will be required to have a sloped entry. While spas will be required to provide a pool lift, transfer wall, or transfer system which resembles a small set of portable stairs. Wave pools and lazy river pools will only be required one means of access such as a pool lift, sloped entry, or transfer system.
For more information on these changes, and a complete library of resources, as well as the official adopted text, please click here to visit the ADA website.
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