Design for Accessibility: A Cultural Administrator's Handbook

Legal Overview: the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act 25
Best Practice: Appoint a staff member to be the accessibility
coordinator for the organization’s accessibility efforts. The accessibility
coordinator becomes the “in-house” expert for guiding the organization,
its board, staff, volunteers and grantees (if applicable) toward inclusion
of people with disabilities and compliance with the ADA and Section 504
regulations. However, remember that compliance and accessibility must
be everyone’s responsibility.
Best Practice: Establish an access advisory committee. Seek out and
include input and advice from knowledgeable individuals with disabilities
representing different segments of the disability community. They can:
educate the organization about legal and social issues related to
accessibility; evaluate existing programs, policies and facilities; identify
areas for improvement; and recommend solutions. Work in partnership
with local membership organizations for people with disabilities, parents
of disabled children, service agencies, independent living centers,
advocacy groups, schools and local government entities, such as
vocational rehabilitation and community service boards.
3. Remove barriers to existing facilities and assure that
all new construction, renovations and alterations meet
or exceed applicable federal accessibility standards.
• New Construction. The most rigorous physical accessibility
requirements apply to new construction. All new construction of buildings
and facilities must meet or exceed the requirements of applicable federal,
state and local accessibility standards and codes. These standards and
codes set forth minimum standards with which all new construction must
comply. Organizations are encouraged to go beyond the minimum
standards to achieve the greatest degree of accessibility. For example,
an organization might elect to provide more accessible seats than the
minimum standards require.
• Renovations and Alterations. All renovations and alterations must
meet accessibility standards unless to do so is technically infeasible.
In that case, they must comply to the maximum extent feasible. If an
organization renovates or alters an area in such a way that it affects the
“A cultural institution and its constituents benefit when farsighted board
members and administrators look beyond minimum standards to broaden
the potential for usability of space and facilities for all potential staff,
constituents, visitors and audiences.”
Jonathan Katz, Chief Executive Officer, National Assembly of State
Arts Agencies