The Justice Department announced that the new ADA Standards for
Accessible Design ("Standards") went into effect last
Thursday, March 15. The Standards were adopted as part of the 2010
revisions to the ADA regulations. The new requirements will provide
accessibility for more than 54 million persons with disabilities at
facilities subject to Title II of the ADA (state and local
government buildings) and Title III of the ADA (public
accommodations and commercial facilities).
The 2010 Standards create new accessibility requirements for
courtrooms, amusement rides, marinas and boating facilities, golf
courses, swimming pools, and recreational play areas. Many of the
changes require that facilities be on a wheelchair accessible
route, while other revisions create minimum percentages of
amenities that must be fully accessible to disabled persons,
including miniature golf holes, boat launch ramps, and exercise
equipment. The new Standards also clarify the necessary
