Accessibility Resources
This section provides links about ADA accessibility. Resources are available for Accessibility Law, Policy, Federal Design Guidance, MnDOT Design Guidance, MnDOT Construction Tools, MnDOT Construction Examples, and Technical Assistance.
Curb Ramp Guidelines
These guidelines provides engineers, planners, and designers with current “best practices” and help them achieve successful curb ramp design and installations. This is available in PDF and Word.
- Curb Ramp Guidelines (Word)
- Curb Ramp Guidelines (PDF)
- ADA Project Quality Management (Word)
Accessibility Law
Americans' with Disabilities Act of 1990 The Americans' with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a federal civil-rights statute which protects the rights of people with disabilities. This document is available in HTML and PDF.
Section 504 Rehabilitation Act This fact sheet gives you an overview of your rights under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This document is in PDF format.
Architectural Barriers Act The Architectural Barriers Act of 1967 requires access to facilities designed, built, altered or leased with Federal funds. This HTM document is a copy of this act. A link to a page listing design standards is included in the first paragraph of the text.
Minnesota Human Rights This is a link on the Minnesota Department of Human Rights website concerning Minnesota Statutes Chapter 363A on the Human Rights. This is an HTML document.
Policy
Clarification of Federal Highway Administration Role in Accessibility This document is a memorandum from the Federal Highway Administration concerning their role in overseeing accessibility. The FHWA is responsible for ensuring public agencies meet the requirements of the ADA and Section 504 for pedestrian access for persons with disabilities. This memorandum is an HTM document.
Federal Design Guidance
Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way The US Access Board has developed guidelines for creating accessible public rights-of-way. The document is in html format with an option to view as a PDF.
Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas The US Access Board has provided accessibility guidelines pursuant to the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) for camping facilities, picnic facilities, viewing areas, outdoor recreation access routes, trails, and beach access routes that are constructed or altered by or on behalf of the Federal government.
ADA Standards for Accessible Design The Department of Justice has set guidelines for accessibility to places of public accommodation and commercial facilities by individuals with disabilities. This document is a PDF.
ADA-ABA Accessibility Guidelines This document contains scoping and technical requirements for accessibility to sites, facilities, buildings, and elements by individuals with disabilities. The requirements are to be applied during the design, construction, additions to, and alteration of sites, facilities, buildings, and elements. These guidelines are an HTM document.
Accessible Public Rights-of-Way Planning and Design for Alterations This US Access Board has developed design guidelines for improvement projects in the public right-of-way that are classified as alterations under the ADA. This document is available in HTM and PDF.
Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access Part 1 This is part one of a two phase project by the Federal Highway Administration It was published in 1999 and is a compilation of data and designs in existence at the time. The report is a PDF.
Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access Part 2 This is the second part of a two phase project on designing sidewalks and trails for access. This part of the report provides a better understanding of how sidewalks and trails should be developed to promote pedestrian access for all users. This document is a PDF.
MnDOT Design Guidance
Road Design Manual This manual establishes uniform road design practices statewide. Content includes design guidelines and standards for geometric features, section elements, special structures, safety features, and pedestrian design. This manual is a PDF.
Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices(MUTCD) The MUTCD establishes a uniform system of traffic control devices for streets and highways in Minnesota. This manual is a PDF.
LRFD Bridge Design Manual This manual contains MnDOT Bridge Office policies and procedures for the design, evaluation, and rehabilitation of bridges. This manual is a PDF.
MnDOT Standard Plates The Standard Plates Manual show standard details of construction and materials and includes curb ramp design. These have been developed by MnDOT and approved by the FHWA. The plates are available as a PDF.
Highway Project Development Process This process has been established to assist project managers with properly scoping MnDOT projects. Subject guidance is provided for all elements to be considered on a project including bicycles and pedestrians. These are available in EDMS.
Minnesota Bikeway Facility Design Manual This manual provides engineers, planners, and designers with a primary source to implement MnDOT's vision and mission for bicycle transportation in Minnesota. This is a PDF.
ADA Compliance Checklist for APS This checklist is provided to ensure proper installation of accessible pedestrian signals.
ADA Compliance Checklist Guidance for APS This document provides the dimensions necessary for accessible pedestrian signal compliancy.
ADA Compliance Checklist for Curb Ramps This checklist is provided to ensure proper installation of curb ramps.
ADA Compliance Checklist Guidance for Curb Ramps This document provides the dimensions necessary for curb ramp compliancy.
Preparing Curb Ramp Projects Presentation
ADA Curb Ramps and CPR: SP 6215-90
ADA Signal Retrofit: SP 8825-393
Technical Assistance
ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments The Department of Justice has issued a new technical assistance document designed to teach state and local government officials how to identify and fix problems that prevent people with disabilities from gaining equal access to state and local government programs, services, and activities. It will also teach state and local officials how to conduct accessibility surveys of their buildings and facilities to identify and remove architectural barriers to access. This document is available in HTML and PDF.
Pedestrian Access to Roundabouts This publication from the Federal Highway Administration is an assessment of motorists' yielding to visually impaired pedestrians and contains potential treatments to improve access. This document is a PDF.
United States Access Board The US Access Board regulates accessible design standards regarding the ADA. A search engine is available to help you find information.
The ADA and City Governments: Common Problems The Department of Justice has produced a document containing samples of common problems shared by city government. It provides examples of common deficiencies and explains how problems affect persons with disabilities. This document is a PDF.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Toolbox The Minnesota Department of Transportation provides a quick reference of basic guidance and public involvement tools to assist in developing bicycle and pedestrian networks at the community level. This manual is a PDF.
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