02. Building 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

Requirement Guidance

For buildings with multiple entrances, identify a main building entrance that is used to access a common area within the building such as a lobby, reception area, or main circulation pathway.

Demonstrate compliance with the option below:

Option 1 - Universally Accessible Site (Full Credit):

Demonstrate compliance with all the following requirements:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+)

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

   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 or strips on the ground
   – alignment bars or strips on the ground
   – surface warning traction tape,
   – tactile ground indicator studs.

5. Ensure that all on-site outdoor stair surfaces within the project meet one of the following:
   – are coated with non-slip material.
   – include tactile material at each step to indicate a change in level.
6. Ensure accessible pedestrian paths, walkways, and crosswalks in paths of travel to all of the following areas within the project that 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:
   – all buildings within the project, including residential buildings and on-site amenities
   – shared restrooms
   – outdoor amenities
   – outdoor open spaces 
   – parking areas and garages.
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.

Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

1. Provide adjoining ramps and sloped access for all outdoor stairs or steps leading to entrances of ground floor residences of each building within the project.
2. Ensure threshold height and configurations are flush with external and internal ground surfaces at all entrances to private residences on the ground floor.

3. Provide tactile direction indicators that provide directional guidance for people with low vision or vision impairments leading to all ground floor residence entrances within the project.

   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 or strips on the ground
   – alignment bars or strips on the ground
   – surface warning traction tape,
   – tactile ground indicator studs.

4. Ensure that all on-site outdoor stair surfaces within the project meet one of the following:
   – are coated with non-slip material.
   – include tactile material at each step to indicate a change in level.
5. Ensure accessible pedestrian paths, walkways, and crosswalks in paths of travel to all of the following areas within the project that 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:
   – all buildings within the project, including residential buildings and on-site amenities
   – shared restrooms
   – outdoor amenities
   – outdoor open spaces 
   – parking areas and garages.
6. 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.
    

Option 2 - Universally Accessible Entrances (Partial Credit)

Demonstrate compliance with all the following requirements:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+)

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

   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 or strips on the ground
   – alignment bars or strips on the ground
   – surface warning traction tape
   – tactile ground indicator studs.

5. Ensure accessible pedestrian paths, walkways, and crosswalks in paths of travel to all of the following areas within the project 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:
   – all buildings within the project, including residential buildings and on-site amenities
   – shared restrooms
   – outdoor amenities
   – outdoor open spaces 
   – parking areas and garages.

Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

1. Provide adjoining ramps and sloped access for all outdoor stairs or steps leading to entrances of ground floor residences of each building within the project.
2. Ensure threshold height and configurations are flush with external and internal ground surfaces at all entrances to private residences on the ground floor.

3. Provide tactile direction indicators that provide directional guidance for people with low vision or vision impairments leading to all ground floor residence entrances within the project.

   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 or strips on the ground
   – alignment bars or strips on the ground
   – surface warning traction tape
   – tactile ground indicator studs.

4. Ensure accessible pedestrian paths, walkways, and crosswalks in paths of travel to all of the following areas within the project 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:
   – all buildings within the project, including residential buildings and on-site amenities
   – shared restrooms
   – outdoor amenities
   – outdoor open spaces 
   – parking areas and garages.

Option 3 - Universally Accessible Elements (Partial Credit)

Demonstrate compliance with all the following requirements:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+), Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

1. Ensure that all on-site outdoor stair surfaces within the project meet one of the following:
   – are coated with non-slip material.
   – include tactile material at each step to indicate a change in level.
2. Ensure accessible pedestrian paths, walkways, and crosswalks in paths of travel to all of the following areas within the project 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:
   – all buildings within the project, including residential buildings and on-site amenities
   – shared restrooms
   – outdoor amenities
   – outdoor open spaces 
   – parking areas and garages.
3. 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 Pathway

Option 1:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+)

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying the following:
    • the planned location of all main building entrances.
    • the planned location of all direct access building entrances from 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:
    • main entrances to the building(s) within the project
    • 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 the tactile direction indicators leading to a main building entrance of each building within the project.       
• Requirement 5:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying all planned outdoor stairs within the project.       
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of each unique outdoor stair.       
• Requirement 6:
  • 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 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.        

Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying the following:
    • the planned location of all ground floor residence entrances.
    • 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 flush threshold showing the external and internal ground surfaces at all entrances to private residences on the ground floor.       
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) for each typical building showing the tactile direction indicators leading to ground floor residence entrances within the project.       
• Requirement 4:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying all planned outdoor stairs within the project.        
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of each unique outdoor stair.       
• 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 street crossings within the site.       
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) showing the qualifying features used in each street crossing. 

Option 2:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+)

• Requirement 1: 
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying the following:
    • the planned location of all main building entrances.
    • the planned location of all direct access building entrances from 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:
    • main entrances to the building(s) within the project
    • 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 the tactile direction indicators leading to a main building entrance of each building within the project.
• 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.

Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

•  Requirement 1:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying the following:
    • the planned location of all ground floor residence entrances.
    • 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 flush threshold showing the external and internal ground surfaces at all entrances to private residences on the ground floor.
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) for each typical building showing the tactile direction indicators leading to ground floor residence entrances within the project.
• Requirement 4:
  • 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.

Option 3: 

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+), Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying all planned outdoor stairs within the project.
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of each unique outdoor stair.
• Requirement 2: 
  • 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 3:
  • 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.

Built Pathway

Option 1:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+)

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying the following:
    • the location of all main building entrances.
    • the location of all direct access building entrances from parking garages.
    • the location of all outdoor stairs along pathways leading to building entrances.
    • the 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:
    • main entrances to the building(s) within the project
    • direct access entrances to buildings from parking garages
    • entrances to private residences on the ground floor.     
• Requirement 4:
  • Upload annotated photograph(s) showing the tactile direction indicators leading to a main building entrance of each building within the project.      
• Requirement 5:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying all outdoor stairs within the project.      
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of each unique outdoor stair.      
• Requirement 6:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying the following:
    • the location of all main building entrance(s)
    • the location of the outdoor areas and amenities within the site
    • 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 7:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying all street crossings within the site.      
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) showing the qualifying features used in each street crossing.        

Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying the following:
    • the location of all ground floor residence entrances.
    • the location of all outdoor stairs along pathways leading to building entrances
    • the 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 flush threshold showing the external and internal ground surfaces at all entrances to private residences on the ground floor.      
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) for each typical building showing the tactile direction indicators leading to ground floor residence entrances within the project.      
• Requirement 4:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying all outdoor stairs within the project.        
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of each unique outdoor stair.       
• Requirement 5:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying the following:
    • the location of all main building entrance(s)
    • the location of the outdoor areas and amenities within the site
    • 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 street crossings within the site.       
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) showing the qualifying features used in each street crossing. 

Option 2: 

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+)

• Requirement 1: 
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying the following:the location of all main building entrances.
    • the location of all direct access building entrances from parking garages.
    • the location of all outdoor stairs along pathways leading to building entrances
    • the 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 an annotated 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:
    • main entrances to the building(s) within the project
    • direct access entrances to buildings from parking garages
    • entrances to private residences on the ground floor.
• Requirement 4:
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) showing the tactile direction indicators leading to a main building entrance of each building within the project.
• Requirement 5:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying the following:
    • the main building entrance(s)
    • the location of the outdoor areas and amenities within the building site or within 1/4 mile or 400 meters of the main building entrance
    • pathways between the main building entrance 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.

Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

• Requirement 1: 
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying the following:
    • the location of all ground floor residence entrances.
    • the location of all outdoor stairs along pathways leading to building entrances
    • the 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 flush threshold showing the external and internal ground surfaces at all entrances to private residences on the ground floor.
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) for each typical building showing the tactile direction indicators leading to ground floor residence entrances within the project.
• Requirement 4:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying the following:
    • the main building entrance(s)
    • the location of the outdoor areas and amenities within the building site or within 1/4 mile or 400 meters of the main building entrance
    • pathways between the main building entrance 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.

Option 3:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+), Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

• Requirement 1:
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying all outdoor stairs within the project.
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) of each unique outdoor stair.
• Requirement 2: 
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying the following:
    • the main building entrance(s)
    • the location of the outdoor areas and amenities within the building site or within 1/4 mile or 400 meters of the main building entrance
    • pathways between the main building entrance and outdoor areas and amenities.
• Requirement 3: 
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying all street crossings within the site. 
  • Upload an annotated site plan or map(s) identifying all street crossings within the site.