The UNC ACCESS Project on Campus Accessibility: Methodology

Methodology

Overview

In gathering raw data for this study, ACCESS Survey teams measured wheelchair accessibility of the main accessible entrance, elevators, and restrooms in campus buildings for comparison with ADA-mandated construction standards.

At each campus, the teams measured buildings that housed 13 core student services in academic life and student life as follows: Student Stores (textbooks), Main Dining Hall, Student Union, Student Recreation Center (gym), Most Accessible Residence Hall, Admissions Office, Academic Advising Office, Career Services Office, Main Undergraduate Library, Main Computer Lab, Most Accessible Classroom Building, Disability Services, and University Administration Building

To see how the following survey entries were used to compute accessibility scores for each campus facility, download the Formulas document.

Main Accessible Entrance

1. Does the building have a door that is level with the ground or does it have a ramp to the door?	Yes	No
2. Is the door’s threshold less than half an inch high?	Yes	No
3. When the outside door is fully open, is the width at least 32”? Please measure from the narrowest point.	Yes	No
4. Does the door open with an automatic push plate?	Yes	No: Skip to #6
5. Does the door opener work?	Yes: Skip to #7	No
6. Does the door open by sliding automatically?	Yes	No
7. Does the entrance have more than one set of doors?	Yes	No: Skip to elevators
8. Does the second set of doors, when open, have a width of at least 32”? Please measure from the narrowest point.	Yes	No
9. Does the second door open with an automatic push plate?	Yes	No: Skip to #11
10. Does the push plate work on this door?	Yes	No
11. Does the second door open by sliding automatically?	Yes	No

Elevators

How many floors are in the building? ___________
How many floors do elevators reach? ___________

1. Does the door open and close automatically?	Yes	No
2. Is the highest call button more than 42” from the floor?	Yes	No
3. Do the buttons protrude from the wall?	Yes	No
4. Does the elevator open at the center?	Yes	No: Skip to #6
5. When the elevator door is fully open, how wide is the opening?	Width (in)
6. Does the elevator open to the side?	Yes	No
7. What is the elevator cab width (from side to side)?	Width (in)
8. What is the elevator cab depth (from front to back)?	Depth (in)
9. Is the highest call button more than 42” from the floor?	Yes	No
10. Do the call buttons protrude from the wall?	Yes	No
11. Is there an emergency call box?	Yes	No

Restrooms

Is this restroom a women’s, men’s or unisex restroom? _______

1. Does the restroom have a door at the entrance?	Yes	No: Skip to #4
2. Does the door open with an automatic push plate?	Yes	No
3. Is the door’s threshold less than 1/2” high?	Yes	No
4. When the door is fully open, is the width at least 32”? Please measure from the narrowest point.	Yes	No
5. Does the entrance have more than one door?	Yes	No: Skip to #8
6. Does the second door open with an automatic push plate?	Yes	No
7.When the second door is fully open is the width at least 32”? Please measure from the narrowest point.	Yes	No
8. Does the handicapped stall have an imaginary circle that is at least 5 feet across with nothing in it? (A turning radius?)	Yes	No
9. Are there at least 32” on one side of the toilet?	Yes	No
10. Is the toilet seat between 17” and 19” from the floor?	Yes	No
11. Are there 2 grab bars in the toilet stall?	Yes	No: Skip to #14
12. Are the grab bars parallel (side by side)?	Yes	No
13. Are the grab bars perpendicular (“L” shaped)?	Yes	No
14. Is the flush valve on the side of the toilet that has the longest wall?	Yes	No
15. Is the flush valve more than 44” from the floor?	Yes	No
16. Are all sinks higher than 34” from the floor?	Yes	No
17. Are all sink pipes covered?	Yes	No
18. Are all soap dispensers higher than 48” from the floor? Please measure to the highest moving part.	Yes	No
19. Are all hand drying devices more than 48” from the floor? Please measure to the highest moving part.	Yes	No
20. Are all mirrors higher than 40” from the floor?	Yes	No