Accessible Pools: Means of Entry and Exit

New Technical Assistance Document Added to ADA.gov

This new technical assistance document contains important information for Title II (State and Local Government Services) and Title III (public accommodations and commercial facilities) entities with pools: including program accessibility, readily achievable barrier removal, new construction vs. alterations, compliance dates, maintenance of accessibility features, training of staff, and tax credits and deductions.

The guidance indicates that:

• Lifts need to be available and in position at each pool at all times when a pool is open to the public. 
• Only “fixed” lifts are acceptable, unless an entity, such as a hotel with a swimming pool, can demonstrate that installing such a lift is not “readily achievable.”  
• For pools owned by state and local governments, sharing lifts between two pools is not allowed, unless the entity can show an “undue burden.”  
• Lifts cannot be shared between a pool and a spa.
• Pool lift batteries must be fully charged and ready for use at all times the pool is open.

Links to PDF and HTML versions of the document can be found below.

http://www.ada.gov/pools_2010.pdf

http://www.ada.gov/pools_2010.htm