Planning for Accessibility
ABAAS requires a totally accessible interior route from the
point of entry to all areas of a building used by the public.
All U.S. Court facilities must be accessible to the
The design elements affected by this requirement include:
physically disabled.
Vestibule configuration
The detailed functional aspects of each courtroom
Door sizes and pressure of operation
component include an integrated reference to accessibility
Corridor widths
accommodation within the description of Courtroom
Elevator access and control
Requirements in Chapter 4 of the USCDG.
Toilet room and stall dimensions
The following information is intended only as a summary
Telephone and TTY (text telephone) provisions
of the basic circulation; change in elevation; and spatial
requirements to be addressed at each respective
Drinking fountain location and dimensions
component with regard to accessibility for physically
Visual and audible alarm accommodations
challenged individuals.
Signage design & location
Design for accessibility must comply with the require-
Quantity of accessible seating
ments of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility
Ramps or lift access to all raised seating
Standard (ABAAS). Please refer to Chapter 1, Section 1.10
(Accessibility Design Standards) for information on general
Access to all raised areas in courtrooms require lifts or
compliance issues.
permanent ramps. If lifts are provided, lifts must be an
integral part of the architecture of the courtroom. Bench
It is GSA and judiciary policy that all Federal courtrooms
areas will be designed to accommodate this equipment
have the lectern, counsel tables, the witness stand, and
including structural slabs with a shallow pit for the lift
jury box accessible in the original design; and the judge's
platform.
bench, clerk's station, and other court personnel
workstations adaptable, regardless of local or state code.
U.S. Court facilities have several conditions that are
unique to Federal building planning and design. These
include provisions within the courtroom for fixed
millwork to include elevated platforms for judges,
witnesses, clerk staff, reporters, and jurors. In addition,
design of spectator seating areas must consider physically
challenged visitors including individuals with sight and
hearing difficulties. (All areas of the Courtrooms must
accommodate listening systems for the hearing impaired;
and translators, notetakers, interpreters for the visually
disabled.)
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DESIGN
STANDARDS
FOR
U.S.
COURT
FAC I L IT I E S
9.2
General Requirements
Revised March 2005 PBS-P100
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