Libraries

(See Section 2.4.16, Signage and Way-finding)

• For building systems, heating, lighting, ventilation and communications (See Section 2.4.1, Acoustics, 2.4.5, Communication Systems, 2.4.7, Electrical Power and Section 2.4.9, Heating, Cooling and Ventilation Systems)

2.5.8 Courthouses, Detention Areas and Police Stations

• Public, administrative and holding areas of courthouses, police stations and related detention areas should be accessible to persons with varying disabilities, whether as prisoners, members of the public, advocates, counselors, or as support staff.

• All court rooms and public areas of courthouses should be fully accessible to persons using mobility aids.

• All offices, meeting rooms, holding areas, changing areas or other support facilities available to members of the legal fraternity, the police or support staff should be accessible to persons with varying disabilities.

• Special holding/detention areas and visitor areas should be designed to accommodate persons using mobility aids, including all access routes from prisoner arrival areas through to the courtroom or meeting and interview rooms.

• For general accessibility requirements, for entrances, hallways, stairs, etc. (See Section 2.1.4, Entrances, Section 2.2.1, Aisles and Passageways, Section 2.2.2, Corridors and Hallways and Section 2.2.7, Stairs and Steps)

• For assembly or meeting areas (See Section 2.5.15, Meeting Rooms, Assembly Areas and Theatres)

• For accessible washrooms, changing areas and locker rooms (See Section 2.3.10, Public Washrooms and Changing Rooms and Section 2.3.6, Lockers and Baggage Storage)

• For Signage and way finding (See Section 2.4.16, Signage and Way-finding)

2.5.9 Display, Exhibition Areas, Galleries and Museums

• All displays or exhibits whether in permanent or temporary locations, should be capable of being accessed, enjoyed and understood by persons with varying disabilities.

• Exhibition and display spaces should be fully accessible to persons using mobility aids. Aisle spaces between exhibits or study areas should be at least 1065 mm.

• Exhibits should be mounted so that a person using a wheelchair can look at the exhibit easily from a seated position. Where exhibits are displayed in horizontal or inclined cases, they should be mounted no higher than 915 mm and wherever possible, include knee space below at 700 mm high to allow a direct approach by a person using a mobility aid (e.g., to approach book displays or small object displays).

• For persons with visual limitations, tactile exhibits should be available (e.g., sculptural pieces), with nearby information printed in large print text, Braille, or provided on an audiotape.

• Where audio-information is provided for persons who are hard of hearing, some consideration of increased volume on personal cassettes as well as compatibility with hearing aids is desirable. Written text should also be available.

• Lighting in exhibit and dis- play areas should be capable of being enhanced in key locations for specific exhibit enjoyment by persons who have visual limitations. • Lighting at display cases

should be designed to minimize reflected glare.

2.5.10 Gymnasium

• A gymnasium, whether part of an educational or a recreational setting, should be accessible and useable by persons with varying

disabilities.

• The main floor or exercise areas of gymnasiums should be fully accessible to persons using mobility aids,

including all related changing areas, showers, washrooms, and lockers. (See Section 2.3.10, Public Washrooms and Changing Rooms and Section 2.3.6, Lockers and Baggage Storage)

• Seating areas provided as bleachers or galleries overlooking the gymnasium floor should be accessible to persons using mobility aids.

• For persons who have visual limitations, care should be taken to ensure that there are no obstacles in the gymnasium area that might constitute a hazard (e.g., unprotected floor slots for equipment mounting, the underside of bleacher areas, signs, brackets, or equipment protruding from the walls). (See also Section 2.6.7, Obstacles)

2.5.11 Ice-Rinks

• Ice-rinks, whether indoors as part of an arena, or outdoors as part of a park’s winter function, should be accessible to and useable by persons with varying disabilities.

• All public amenities and viewing areas should be accessible to persons who have varying disabilities including persons using mobility aids.

• Many persons who have visual limitations may wish to attend hockey games, listen to the plays, and enjoy the noise, smells, and camaraderie of the game. Spaces should be provided where they can optimize this desire.

2.5.12 Hospitals and Health Care Facilities

• All facilities providing health care services to the general public or to private clients should be fully accessible to persons with varying disabilities.

• All arrival and entrance areas should be fully and

autonomously accessible to persons using mobility aids and to persons with visual limitations. (See Section 2.1.4, Entrances)

• All waiting, admission, diagnostic, consultation and treatment areas should be fully accessible to persons using mobility aids. (See also Section 2.1.9, Waiting Areas and 2.3.5, Information Systems and Directories)

• All essential support areas that are available to the public or clients should be accessible to persons with varying disabilities. (See Section 2.3.5, Information and Service Counters and Section 2.4.10, Information Systems and Directories) • All client rooms for short or

long-term accommodation, including any attached washrooms, clothing storage areas or lounges, should be accessible to persons using mobility aids. (See also Section 2.1.9, Waiting

Areas and 2.3.10, Public Washrooms and Changing Rooms)

• Heating, ventilation and communications systems should be appropriate for persons with varying disabilities. (See Section 2.4.9, Heating, Cooling and Ventilation Systems)

• All communication systems, such as nurse calls,

telephones or public address systems, should be appropriate for persons with varying disabilities. (See Section 2.4.14, Public Address Systems)

2.5.13 Libraries

• All library areas, including checking areas, book stacks and reading/teaching spaces, should be accessible to seniors and persons with varying disabilities. • Book return and checking

area counters should be designed to be accessible to persons using mobility aids. • Book stack areas should

have aisles preferably 1065 mm wide, or a minimum of 915 mm wide, to allow easy access and maneuverability by persons using mobility aids.

(See Figure 150) • Lighting at book stacks

should be mounted directly over the aisle space and provide a minimum of 200 lux (20 ft. candles) at normal working height (i.e., 915 mm approx.), as a benefit to seniors and others with low vision.

• Study tables should be designed to accommodate persons using mobility aids, with clear knee space of at least 700 mm high.

• Shelving over study carrels, tables or study counters should be no higher than 1220 mm to allow an easy forward reach over the working surface. (See Section 2.3.12, Vanities and Work Sections)

• Acoustic quality in library, reading and study areas should limit extraneous background noise, permitting comprehension by persons with limited hearing. (See Section 2.4.1, Acoustics)

• Where CD’s, taped information and talking books etc. are available to seniors, children with disabilities, or persons with visual limitations as part of the libraries resource materials, a separate space should be set aside so that materials can be audited without disturbing other library users. (See also Section 2.4.5, Communication Systems) 1065 mm MIN. 1065 mm MIN. 1065 mm MIN. Figure 150

2.5.14 Long Term Care