02. Site Access - Universally Accessible Site

Provide a universally accessible site

Rationale: Implementing universal accessibility practices that support those with a broad range of abilities across a site ensures that all people are able to move freely between spaces and comfortably use facilities, contributing to increased physical activity, enhanced social inclusion, and decreased the risk of injury and psychological distress. 

For the most accurate strategy and documentation requirements, please refer to the digital scorecard made available on the Fitwel Platform.

Requirements

Demonstrate compliance with the below:

Universally Accessible Site (Full Credit):

Demonstrate compliance with all of the following requirements:

1. Provide adjoining ramps and sloped access for all outdoor stairs or steps leading to a main entrance of each building within the site, including pedestrian entrances to buildings from parking garages and entrances of ground floor residences.
2. Provide an automatic or push button door at a main entrance to each building(s) within the site, including pedestrian entrances(s) to the building(s) from parking garages
3. Ensure threshold height and configurations are flush with external and internal ground surfaces at all of the following entrances:
   – a main entrance to each building within the site
   – direct access entrances to buildings from parking garages
   – entrances to private residences on the ground floor.

4. Provide tactile direction indicators that provide directional guidance for people with low vision or vision impairments leading to a main entrance to each building(s) within the site.

   Qualifying TDIs are surface features that can be felt underfoot or with a cane to indicate safe routes, entrances, or changes in direction and may include but are not limited to the following:
   – guide bars
   – alignment bars
   – surface warning traction tape,
   – tactile ground indicator studs.

5. Ensure that all pedestrian paths, walkways, and crosswalks in paths of travel to all of the following outdoor areas within the site are continuous, unobstructed and free of obstacles – such as impeding trees, planting pots, bollards, bike racks, steps, uncovered/non-accessible drain grates or other barriers – that may impede or cause difficulties for those with physical disabilities:
   – restrooms
   – outdoor amenities
   – outdoor open spaces 
   – parking areas and garages
   – route to at least one transit stop if transit stop is located on-site or within a 1/2-mile or 800-meter walking distance of a site entrance.
6. Ensure that all outdoor stair surfaces within the site meet one of the following:
   – are coated with non-slip material.
   – include tactile material at each step to indicate a change in level.
7. Ensure all crosswalks and street crossings within the site provide a crosswalk that includes two of the following:
   – warning tactile surface to indicate the beginning of a crosswalk
   – curb cuts or level surface crossing
   – surface marking, such as clearly defined zebra lines
   – electronic signaling device that includes both audible and flashing crosswalk signals.

Compliance Documentation

Design and Built Pathways

• Requirement 1
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying the following:
    – the planned location of a main building entrance of each building within the site
    – the planned location of all ground floor residence entrances
    – the planned location of all pedestrian entrances to parking garages.
    – the planned location of all outdoor stairs along pathways leading to building entrances
    – the planned location of all outdoor ramps along pathways leading to building entrances.
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of each unique accessible entrance. 
• Requirement 2
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of each unique entryway with automatic or push button doors showing the automated feature.
• Requirement 3
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of each unique entryway with flush threshold showing the external and internal ground surfaces at all of the following entrances:
    – a main entrance to each building(s) within the site
    – direct access entrances to buildings from parking garages
    – entrances to private residences on the ground floor.
• Requirement 4
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) showing each unique tactile direction indicators leading to a main building(s) entrance(s).
• Requirement 5
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying the following:
    – the planned location of all main building entrance(s)
    – the planned location of the outdoor areas and amenities within the site
    – planned pathways between main building entrances and outdoor areas and amenities.
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) showing the accessible pathways to each of the identified outdoor areas and amenities
• Requirement 6
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying all planned outdoor stairs within the site.
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of each unique outdoor stair.
• Requirement 7
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying all planned street crossings within the site
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) showing the qualifying features used in each street crossing.