[AskNACHI.org]

[ASKNACHI]This question was posted on [I]AskNACHI.org[/I] by [B]Elizabeth Mendez[/B] (from Arlington, VA). [/ASKNACHI]To Whom It May Concern:

I am trying to locate a home inspector in the Arlington, VA area that specializes on ADA compliance issues. I\'m in the process of purchasing a condominium that has been classified by the builder/developer as \"ADA compliant\". I would like to hire a home inspector for my walk-thru that is well-versed in the building requirements for ADA compliant dwellings.

Elizabeth Mendez

[afrost]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]ADA[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] is a set of regulations about designing for the disabled. Typically it concerns access so designs often incorporate ramps with handrails (the ramps are a certain pitch and the rails a certain dimension off the ground), with door openings wide enough for wheelchairs, shower stalls accessible by wheelchair, sinks that a wheelchair can slide under (with protection from the hot water pipes), chair lifts or sometimes LULA elevators, etc.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]As you have probably found out, most of this is beyond the purview of a Home Inspector. [COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Typically Home Inspectors are not "Code Inspectors". [/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Assuming that the builder/developer had an Architect in order to get a building Permit, you should talk to the Architect and use them as a resource. Ask what standards he used. In commercial construction there is a set of Federal Regulations. I am not sure if there are regulations for residential design. If there are none, then it is difficult to inspect because there is no benchmark to measure against.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Another resource may be any public organizations that specializes in the particular disability that you want considered in the design. It may not be wheelchair access, it may be a sight or visual disability.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Here is a link to the Federal ADA Regulations and additional ADA information [URL="http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm"]http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm[/URL]. [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Massachusetts[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] has their own version, perhaps [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Virginia[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] does, too, & you can contact the state.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]If you were willing to define the [/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]ADA[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] design requirements you want from the Condo, you can begin to discuss your needs with some Home Inspectors and will find one that would love to help.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Good Luck.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Andy Frost[/FONT][/COLOR]