The Non-Architect's Guide to Reading and Understanding Building and Construction Plans

 

Accessibility is now foundational in the planning, designing and construction of all of our built-environment such as, housing, business facilities, public accommodations, open spaces, etc. Although the inclusion of accessible design has developed over the last 50 years, with the passage of civil rights laws protecting persons with disabilities from discrimination such as, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Housing Act, Section 504, etc. accessibility, it is now required.  Building plan review encourages onsite investigation accuracy, and reduces the need for expensive corrective retrofitting and potential litigation. It also provides the housing official with a means of more effective grant monitoring and design efficacy.

  

Studies have consistently shown that including accessibility from the beginning of the planning process adds little-to- no additional cost to the project, whereas adding accessibility later in the building process may dramatically increase costs.  The responsibility for including accessibility has largely fallen on architects and developers but most have limited experience in the application of access and civil rights.  Also, they often confuse the requirements of the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 and ADA.  While this does not suggest an intention to ignore access requirements, or that the architect lacks the ability to properly design a facility to meet these requirements, it does mean that persons with disabilities, their advocacy organizations, housing providers, civil rights enforcement offices, and government officials need to be partners in the process.

 

Dr. Robert Ardinger, author of HUD’s Section 504 Regulations, has developed a comprehensive guidebook that specifically details building and construction plan review for evaluating physical accessibility. The Non-architect’s Guide to Reading and Understanding Building and Construction Plans clearly illustrates:

 

• Concepts of building and construction plans
• Elements of architectural drawings
• Architectural symbols
• What to look for when reviewing plans for accessibility
• How to effectively communicate with architects
• How to identify actual or potential barriers
• How to recognize an architect who understands the federal accessibility requirements.