This rule amends ADAAG to specifically address play areas, including play structures and equipment. The rule addresses requirements for the number of play components required to be accessible, accessible surfacing in play areas, ramp access and transfer system access to elevated structures, and access to soft contained play structures.
Current Status: On October 18, 2000, the Board issued final guidelines for play areas, which completes this Board rulemaking. Related information issued by the Board includes: a guide to these requirements, answers to frequently asked questions, a summary of the final guidelines, and a regulatory assessment on the final rule (also available in PDF).
What’s Next: No further action by the Board is needed. The requirements of this rule will become part of the enforceable ADA standards once adopted by the Department of Justice.
Background: The guidelines for play areas were developed through regulatory negotiation, a supplement to the traditional rulemaking process that allows face-to-face negotiations among representatives of affected interests in order to achieve consensus on the text of a proposed rule. The Play Areas Regulatory Negotiation Committee represented a variety of interests, including play equipment manufacturers, landscape architects, parks and recreation facilities, city and county governments, child care operators, and people with disabilities. The committee conducted meetings in various cities across the country and sought public participation throughout the process. In July 1997 the committee submitted its report to the Board. On April 30, 1998, the Board published a proposed rule based on this report and held a public hearing in Denver, Colorado, during the comment period. The Board finalized the guidelines according to its review of the comments.
Rulemaking History: