In designing each of our products, we give due consideration to complying where possible with the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) issued by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board).
For those readers who just want the "bottom line" on our ADA compliance,...the operating mechanism common to most of our products is the service door latch. We believe the latest version of our latch to be fully ADAAG compliant. It is a lever shape (acceptable per ADAAG 4.13.9) and requires minimal force to grasp and operate. It requires only one hand to use, and it is well within the required reach ranges in both the "at rest" and "in use" positions.
For those who like lots more detail,....the ADAAG sections that apply to our products are:
- 4.2.5 Forward Reach
- 4.2.6 Side Reach
- 4.27 Controls and Operating Mechanisms
In addition to ADAAG, there are additional proposed guidelines that apply to bear-proof products. To address the unique challenges for outdoor recreation facilities in providing access to persons with disabilities, the Regulatory Negotiation Committee on Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas was commissioned by the Access Board. This committee subsequently issued a set of guidelines more specific to outdoor developed recreation areas. These guidelines have not yet been adopted. These guidelines include the following section applicable to bear-proof enclosures:
16.8.5 Requires operating controls for containers to comply with ADAAG 4.27.3 and 4.27.4. However, an exemption from this requirement is provided where the container …is situated where it is subject to large animal intrusion, thus dictating animal resistant controls. Where problems exist with large animal intrusion, the necessity of protecting the health of the user and the animal populations override accessibility requirements.
This proposed exemption to the ADAAG guidelines for operating controls applies to our bear-proof latches. We have managed to design our primary latch mechanism to fully comply with ADAAG without benefit of these proposed exceptions.
As we continue to introduce more bear-proof products, we will always strive to accommodate persons with disabilities to the highest degree possible while still ensuring bear-proof integrity to the designs.
Feel free to contact us to discuss ADAAG compliance issues in more detail.
