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Services

CSA recommends that every business or commercial facility owner should at the very least, perform a “high speed” architectural barrier assessment. The goal of this basic walkthrough assessment will be to identify the number, type and severity of deficiencies or items that do not comply with either current or previous ADA standard or regulatory statute. Items that do not meet specifications for the requirements of compliance are then noted without being formally documented in a report. The assessment is often later used as the foundation for a full barrier remediation plan which sometimes includes basic problem solving and innovative cost solutions. CSA works with clients to identify these conditions that often impede access to your business or institution by people with physical disabilities. The most common types of barriers are seen in areas such as: Parking spaces and aisles; Parking signage; Passenger loading zones; Interior reception areas, corridors, lobbies and toilet rooms; Exterior paths of travel; Exterior ramps and curb ramps and routes to site arrival points and public right-of-ways.

Facility Evaluations

CSA recommends that every business or commercial facility owner should at the very least, perform a “high speed” architectural barrier assessment. The goal of this basic walkthrough assessment will be to identify the number, type and severity of deficiencies or items that do not comply with either current or previous ADA standard or regulatory statute. Items that do not meet specifications for the requirements of compliance are then noted without being formally documented in a report. The assessment is often later used as the foundation for a full barrier remediation plan which sometimes includes basic problem solving and innovative cost solutions. CSA works with clients to identify these conditions that often impede access to your business or institution by people with physical disabilities. The most common types of barriers are seen in areas such as: Parking spaces and aisles; Parking signage; Passenger loading zones; Interior reception areas, corridors, lobbies and toilet rooms; Exterior paths of travel; Exterior ramps and curb ramps and routes to site arrival points and public right-of-ways.

CSA provides a Standard ADA architectural barrier survey that includes documenting each existing noncompliant condition. A spin off of the high speed assessment, this process driven inspection utilizes a series of digital photographs containing tape measurements and slope readings to explain each barrier condition. A barrier severity code is then determined and applied to each noncomplying condition. Barrier severity codes help the owner determine those areas of a facility that may be a potential safety concern, blocks access or creates a major or minor inconvenience for persons with disabilities. For full confidentiality and protection of information, CSA recommends businesses owners perform full barrier surveys under advice of their legal counsel.

Our Accessibility Survey Report provides much more than just listing items that are out of compliance. Knowing how to bring the item into compliance is important. Knowing which requirement you must meet (federal, state or other) is another important factor. Consulting firms that do building condition surveys usually address ADA and FHA on a very basic level as part of their overall reports. CSA performs in-depth detailed surveys, and our reports indicate a proposed solution and budget cost for implementing each item. Our reporting software contains an internal cost estimator for each region or area of the country.

ADA / FHA Litigation Consulting

Lawsuits and complaints can be very costly if not handled promptly and cost effectively. We will work with your attorney, or can recommend attorneys who are successful in this narrow specialty.

Using our FHA, ADA, UFAS, and Building Code knowledge, and applying our architectural expertise, CSA is able to recommend and help negotiate “real world”, viable solutions as part of a Consent Decree or Settlement Agreement negotiation process.
CSA President, Rick Hinrichs offers litigation consulting and expert witness services on facility accessibility including ADA, UFAS, state codes, and FHA compliance. Our clients include United States Attorney Offices, major corporations, multi-family housing developers, owners and private attorneys. During his career as a litigation consultant and expert, Rick Hinrichs has developed strong working relationships with a number of national and local legal firms. Please contact us for more information.

Training

CSA can perform training of key staff to help ensure compliant design, construction, renovation, and barrier removal programs. Much of our training focuses in areas of ADA, FHA and PROWAG compliance; however, all training can be customized to meet your particular needs. Workshops can be tailored as simple one hour “Lunch and Learns” or more standardized 4-8 hour classroom or roundtable type training sessions. Typical training includes a PowerPoint Presentation, and on the fly sketches on a white board or flip charts. Questions and answers are highly encouraged.

ADA / FHA Plan Reviews

CSA can provide Accessibility plan reviews for remodeling, updates or new construction. Our service includes a complete review of construction documents for new or remodeled projects. Plans are reviewed to ensure they comply with all applicable facets of the state and federal standards. Doorways, turning radius, interior and exterior paths of interior and exterior reach ranges are only a few of the elements reviewed and noted on a comprehensive report which is delivered to the client.

If full compliance cannot be achieved due to structural or technical infeasibilities, topographical issues or disproportionate costs, then an approved variance must be in the file. Variances can only be approved by an authorized state agency, depending on the state where the work is being completed and if that state has a variance procedure.

ADA Policies Review and Self Evaluation

We help public entities take a proactive approach to ADA compliance. Self-evaluation is an analysis of an organization’s current policies and procedures to identify any that may be, or potentially are, discriminatory.

“Pre-sale” Property Inspections and Post Construction Inspections

We will inspect property on behalf of the buyer/seller as part of the required due diligence package in commercial real estate acquisitions and sales. During any commercial real estate transaction, an ADA Survey (including all applicable accessibility laws) should be part of the Due Diligence process. All newly constructed buildings that are commercial facilities or places of public accommodation, must be designed and constructed with accessibility features that are compliant with current federal and local accessibility codes. Previous alterations, depending on the year performed must also comply. During the construction phase projects should be reviewed for all applicable Accessibility Laws. Occasionally, more than one Accessibility Code or Law may apply. This can include not only the application of Federal Law, but State and Local Codes as well. Some states have their own Accessibility Codes in addition to National Accessibility Laws, such as the ADA, Rehabilitation Act, ABA, or Fair Housing Act. Which specific Accessibility Laws and Codes apply to an individual facility, is based on which entity owns the facility (public or private); who is providing design and construction funds; and who is managing the programs and services. When more than one Code or Law applies, then the Accessibility Due Diligence Report needs to look at EACH element, based on each applicable Accessibility Code, and assure that the strictest code for each individual element is met.