ADA & ACCESSIBILITY

Since May 4, 1977 Vermont law has required that new construction, additions and alterations in public buildings be accessible to people with disabilities. In 1996, the Vermont legislature passed Act 187 that was intended to eliminate portions of Vermont law that did not meet or exceed the requirements of ADA. Portions of Vermont law that already exceeded ADA were retained. Religious buildings and private clubs, exempt under ADA, are covered under these rules. In addition, there are requirements for vertical access in smaller buildings and other requirements including adaptability in multi-family dwellings that exceed ADA and the Federal Fair Housing Act requirements.

In 1998 the Vermont Access Board and the Department of Labor and Industry adopted the “rules for new construction and for alterations to existing buildings” that included the Americans with Disabilities Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) as printed July 26, 1991. Since that time the U. S. Access Board has developed several significant changes for the ADAAG regarding children’s elements, recreation facilities, correctional facilities and courthouses, but only minor changes have been adopted by the U. S. Department of Transportation and the U. S. Department of Justice.

In 2000 the Vermont legislature extended certain adaptability requirements, called “visitable” [ Act 88 ] requirements, to all new construction of dwelling units. It is the intent of these rules to incorporate the changes that have occurred at both the federal and state level.

The ADA guidelines cover new construction and planned alterations and generally do not apply to existing facilities except where altered. Facilities built or altered according to earlier versions of the ADA or ABA standards will not necessarily have to meet the updated version except where they are subsequently altered or renovated.

LAWS & RULES

• Vermont Access Rules - (Effective May 28, 2007)
• Accessibility Standards Statute -- 20 V.S.A., Chapter 174
• Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (pdf)

LINKS

• Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide for People with Disabilities
• Personal Emergency Planning Checklist

FORMS & INFORMATION

• Access to Buildings in Vermont Brochure
• Access Standards for Residential Housing (Act 88)
• Dwelling Unit Accessibility Completion Certification
• Dwelling Unit Accessibility Design Certification
• "Prohibitive Costly" Policy -- Adopted 7/30/01

DESIGN RESOURCES

• Fair Housing Act Design Manual
• ADA Standards for Accessible Design
• ADA Guide for Small Businesses

ACCESS BOARD

• 2009 Meeting Dates

RELATED INFORMATION

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