ADA Rules for Home Show

ADA Rules to Remember During Home Show
(Americans with Disabilities Act)

 

Q. What kinds of auxiliary aids and services are required by the ADA to ensure effective communication with individuals with hearing or vision impairments?

 

A. Appropriate auxiliary aids and services may include services and devices such as qualified interpreters, assistive listening devices, notetakers, and written materials for individuals with hearing impairments; and qualified readers, taped texts, and Brailled or large print materials for individuals with vision impairments.

Q. Are there any limitations on the ADA's auxiliary aids requirements?
A. Yes. The ADA does not require the provision of any auxiliary aid that would result in an undue burden or in a fundamental alteration in the nature of the goods or services provided by a public accommodation. However, the public accommodation is not relieved from the duty to furnish an alternative auxiliary aid, if available, that would not result in a fundamental alteration or undue burden. Both of these limitations are derived from existing regulations and caselaw under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and are to be determined on a case-by-case basis.


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The HBASE encourages you to make your Home Show exhibit as accessible as possible to allow people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in our Show.  Please keep these suggestions and tips in mind while designing your exhibit. 

Flooring...
Be sure to tape down any loose carpet edges. 
Small changes in floor levels should be highlighted with a 70% change of color tape.

If the flooring for your booth is a raise of more than 1/4”, you should install a bevel with a slope of 1:2.

If your exhibit is elevated 1/2” or more, a ramp should be provided. (please note, ramps should be included in the design of your booth – inside the perimeters of your exhibit space) The slope should be no more than 1:12.  Railguards and handrails should be provided where necessary.

Providing a temporary ramp may be a good solution for some exhibits (sunrooms, etc).  In this case,
exhibitors should display a “ramp available” sign and have the temporary ramp available to utilize if someone asks.

Design...
To make your booth wheelchair accessible (for those exhibitors who invite attendees into their booths): 
60” minimum diameter is needed for a wheelchair to turn around, otherwise an entrance and exit
should be made available, and should be at least 36” wide.  Doorways or short passageways can be reduced to 32” wide.

Objects that protrude from walls, posts and displays or that hang from overhead, are not detectable by many people with visual disabilities or may even catch unobservant individuals.  Any object protruding more than 4” should be less than 27” above the floor or more than 80” high.  This includes countertops extending past the base of a display.

Displays...
For those with smaller booths, try to place your display tables, cases or shelves to the front of booth, with adequate space for a person using a wheelchair to pass behind other participants who have stopped to examine an object. If objects are displayed on or in a free-standing case, the bottom case should be mounted between 36” and 39”. Consider using mirrors to bring otherwise obscured items into view.

If high display cases or countertops are used, be prepared to assist people with disabilities.  And, if you are requesting information from attendees or have sign up forms for them to complete, consider having a clipboard available for them to use if your countertop is higher than 32”.

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For more details on the ADA rules that could apply to your Home Show booth or workshop, please click here.