ADA Checklist for Emergency Shelters

I. Public Telephones

When public telephones are provided, then one or more accessible public telephones should be provided in areas serving shelter activity and service areas. Whenever accessible telephones are provided, each should be on an accessible route. In shelters it is common to provide additional telephones on tables or desks and some of these telephones should be accessible.

A text telephone (also commonly known as a TTY) is a device that allows individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have a speech disability to communicate over a telephone. Having at least one TTY in any building that has at least four pay phones, provides access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

I1. If at least one public telephone or one bank of telephones is provided, does at least one of each type of telephone (e.g., pay telephone, intercom telephone, other telephone) have the following?

   Yes

   No

I1a. For a side approach (clear floor space at least 30 inches long x 48 inches wide), is the coin slot no higher than 54 inches above the floor? [ADA Standards § 4.31.2, Fig. 44 (a)]

   Yes

   No

I1b. For a front approach (where clear floor space at least 30 inches wide x 48 inches long), is the coin slot no higher than 48 inches above the floor? [ADA Standards § 4.31.2, Fig. 44 (b)]

   Yes

   No

I2. Does the phone have volume controls? [ADA Standards § 4.31.5]

   Yes

   No

I3. If three or more telephones are located in one bank serving the shelter, are a shelf and an electrical outlet provided at one telephone for use of a portable TTY? [ADA Standards § 4.31.9 (2)]

   Yes

   No

I4. If four or more pay telephones are provided on the site, is there a TTY (text telephone) provided at the shelter?

   Yes

   No
If yes, location_______________

I5. Is there a sign at each pay phone or pay phone bank for the shelter directing people to the nearest TTY? [ADA Standards § 4.30.7 (3); 4.31.9(3)]

   Yes

   No