ADA Checklist for Emergency Shelters

Step One: Accessible Shelter Quick-Check Survey

Selecting Sites to Survey for Accessibility

Providing an emergency shelter that is accessible to people with disabilities involves making sure that a number of accessible features and spaces are available. To verify accessibility before deciding on a site for an emergency shelter can involve asking many questions such as those in the ADA Checklist for Emergency Shelters. For some older buildings, especially those on hilly sites and those that have not been renovated, remodeled, or altered since 1992, before completing the detailed checklist, it may be better to do a pre-test that can rule out a facility with major accessibility problems so available resources can be focused on other locations. The following questions will help evaluate whether a facility has such major accessibility barriers. After this first step, buildings that do not have major accessibility problems should be surveyed more thoroughly, using the ADA Checklist for Emergency Shelters, to find out which, if any, barriers need to be removed to provide an accessible shelter.

A. Accessible Entrance

Having a way to get into the emergency shelter on a surface that is firm, stable, slip resistant, without steps or steep slopes, and wide enough for a person using a wheelchair or other mobility aid is essential.

A1. Is there a sidewalk connecting the parking area and any drop off area to the walkway leading to the building? [ADA Standards § 4.1.3(1)]

   Yes

    No

A2. Is there a route without steps from this sidewalk to the main entrance?

   Yes

    No

If No, are there two or fewer steps? Yes _____ No ____ Number of Steps: __________
If No, is there another entrance without steps that is connected by a sidewalk
to the parking or drop off area? Yes _____ No _____Location: _________________

B. Accessible Routes To All Service/Activity Areas

Everyone must be able to get to each of the various areas where activities and services take place. This includes people who use mobility devices, such as wheelchairs and scooters, being able to get to locations where supplies are distributed, to eating areas, to sleeping areas, to toilet rooms, and to other activity areas without encountering stairs or steep slopes.

Check all of the various ways to get to each of the areas where sheltering activities are likely to take place (sleeping, eating,

B1. Sleeping Area (Location: ______________________________________)

B1-a. Is there a route without steps from the accessible entrance to this location?

   Yes

    No

If No, are there two or fewer steps? Yes ___ No ___ Number of Steps: _______
If No, is there a ramp, lift, or elevator? Yes ___ No ___ Type of device: _______

B1-b. If an elevator or lift provides the only accessible route, is there a source of backup power to operate the device for an extended period?

   Yes

    No

B2. Eating Area (Location: ______________________________________)

B2-a. Is there a route without steps from the accessible entrance to this location?

   Yes

    No

If No, are there two or less steps? Yes ___ No ____ Number of Steps: _____
If No, is there a ramp, lift, or elevator? Yes ___ No ____ Type of device: _______

B2-b. If an elevator or lift provides the only accessible route, is there a source of back up power to operate the device for an extended period?

   Yes

    No

B3. Supply Distribution Area (Location: _____________________________)

B3-a. Is there a route without steps from the accessible entrance to this location?

   Yes

    No

If No, are there two or fewer steps? Yes ___ No ___ Number of Steps: ______
If No, is there a ramp, lift, or elevator? Yes ___ No ___ Type of device: ______

B3-b. If an elevator or lift provides the only accessible route, is there a source of backup power to operate the device for an extended period?

   Yes

    No

B4. Toilet Rooms (Location: ________________________________________)

B4-a. Is there a route without steps from the accessible entrance to this location?

   Yes

    No

If No, are there two or fewer steps? Yes ___ No ____ Number of Steps: ______
If No, is there a ramp, lift, or elevator? Yes ____ No ____ Type of device: ______

B4-b. If an elevator or lift provides the only accessible route, is there a source of backup power to operate the device for an extended period?

   Yes

    No

C. Accessibility Within Toilet Rooms

C1-a. Is there an area within the toilet room where a person who uses a wheelchair or mobility device can turn around - either a minimum 60-inch diameter circle or a “T”-shaped turn area? [ADA Standards §§ 4.22.3; 4.2.3, Fig. 3]

   Yes

    No

C1-b. Is at least one stall at least 60 inches wide and 56 inches deep (wall mounted toilet) or 59 inches deep (floor mounted toilet)? [ADA Standards § 4.17.3]

   Yes

    No

Using The Information:

If most of your answers to the previous questions are Yes, then the facility has some basic accessibility features and should be surveyed using the ADA Checklist for Emergency Shelters. Whenever most of your answers are No, then these problems should be evaluated before conducting a more detailed survey, or perhaps you should consider another location to serve as an emergency shelter.