Coworking Spaces and ADA (American with Disabilities Act) ?

[Aliza]

Hi everyone,

I'm searching for real estate for Coworking with Parents, and have found a place that I love... a converted barn with wood floors, exposed beams, and a high ceiling with skylights on the third floor... there's even outdoor space... and it's got lots of parking with nearby restaurants and a grocery store. However, it is an older building with no elevator, so all coworkers would have to climb 2 flights of stairs, and kids would have to climb 1 flight of stairs for the play space. 

What I need to find out is... is this space a possibility for me, legally, without having to make expensive modifications such as adding an elevator? And if it is... is this the *right* decision.

Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences... and find out which of your spaces are, or are not, accessible. 

Thanks!

Aliza Schlabach
Founder | Coworking For Parents (Philadelphia)

[Jerome Chang]

Typically, if you don't make many modifications, then no elevator is required.  In LA, that amount is around <$100k (sorry, I just don't remember the exact # this year).  Instead, you have to conform to ADA requirements elsewhere to compensate.  Those upgrades should amount to 20% +/- of your total construction cost. [NOTE: every city has different codes so please check your jurisdiction!]

Aside from the above legal stuff, I wouldn't recommend your proposed space.  The stairs seem too daunting to make your concept appealing.  What's on the ground floor?

Jerome Chang, architect

______________
BLANKSPACES
"work FOR yourself, not BY yourself"

www.blankspaces.com
ph: 323.330.9505 | 5405 Wilshire Blvd (2 blocks west of La Brea) Los Angeles, CA 90036 

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[Glen Ferguson]

I've been dealing with this as well, rehabbing a building in a historic district to make it a coworking space. We had to redo a bathroom, which also meant making it ADA compliant. Sometimes it seems unnecessary, as the building itself has no wheelchair access, but the intent is that as the building is repeatedly remodeled over time, it eventually becomes fully accessible. And, as was pointed out to me, ADA covers more than wheelchairs. Vision impairment, fixtures that can be operated with one hand, less than 6 pounds of force and without requiring a strong grip all are part of compliance as well.

In short, if you don't change it, you don't have to make it accessible, but always check the local codes first to be sure. And Jerome's comment about the 20% of budget also applies, supporting the intent of accessibility evolving over time.

Glen

[John Wilker]

We had the same issues/thoughts. Our building is very much not ADA compliant, but it's old. When we rehabbed the interior however we made sure there was a restroom that had a wide door, and ADA compliant access (we'd need to add rails, but the door is right, etc). The front of the building has no place to even build a ramp so we're unlikely to ever have an issue but as Glen said, should something change, we wanted what we had done to be ready, just in case.

John Wilker
Founder, 360|Conferences
(720) 381-2370
twitter: jwilker
johnwilker.com | 360|MacDev | 360|Flex | 360|iDev

[Tom Brandt]

You really need to consult with a local architect to figure what you need to do and what is not necessary.

We are in an old (>100 years) building which is not ADA-compliant. However, the front entrance is at ground level and the restroom is ADA-compliant, so the main level is wheelchair accessible. The loft area and back conference room are accessible only by stairs

On Fri, Mar 2, 2012 at 9:36 AM, Aliza <aschl...@gmail.com> wrote:

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twb
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@twbrandt

[Aliza]

Thank you to everyone who replied. I'll be sure to check with the city and consult an architect, as well as speak with the community to hear their thoughts.

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Aliza Schlabach
Founder | Coworking For Parents

215.858.4658

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On Friday, March 2, 2012 1:32:35 PM UTC-5, Tom Brandt - Workantile wrote:

You really need to consult with a local architect to figure what you need to do and what is not necessary.

We are in an old (>100 years) building which is not ADA-compliant. However, the front entrance is at ground level and the restroom is ADA-compliant, so the main level is wheelchair accessible. The loft area and back conference room are accessible only by stairs

On Fri, Mar 2, 2012 at 9:36 AM, Aliza wrote:

Hi everyone,

I'm searching for real estate for Coworking with Parents, and have found a place that I love... a converted barn with wood floors, exposed beams, and a high ceiling with skylights on the third floor... there's even outdoor space... and it's got lots of parking with nearby restaurants and a grocery store. However, it is an older building with no elevator, so all coworkers would have to climb 2 flights of stairs, and kids would have to climb 1 flight of stairs for the play space. 

What I need to find out is... is this space a possibility for me, legally, without having to make expensive modifications such as adding an elevator? And if it is... is this the *right* decision.

Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences... and find out which of your spaces are, or are not, accessible. 

Thanks!

Aliza Schlabach
Founder | Coworking For Parents (Philadelphia)

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twb
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@twbrandt

On Friday, March 2, 2012 1:32:35 PM UTC-5, Tom Brandt - Workantile wrote:

You really need to consult with a local architect to figure what you need to do and what is not necessary.

We are in an old (>100 years) building which is not ADA-compliant. However, the front entrance is at ground level and the restroom is ADA-compliant, so the main level is wheelchair accessible. The loft area and back conference room are accessible only by stairs

On Fri, Mar 2, 2012 at 9:36 AM, Aliza wrote:

Hi everyone,

I'm searching for real estate for Coworking with Parents, and have found a place that I love... a converted barn with wood floors, exposed beams, and a high ceiling with skylights on the third floor... there's even outdoor space... and it's got lots of parking with nearby restaurants and a grocery store. However, it is an older building with no elevator, so all coworkers would have to climb 2 flights of stairs, and kids would have to climb 1 flight of stairs for the play space. 

What I need to find out is... is this space a possibility for me, legally, without having to make expensive modifications such as adding an elevator? And if it is... is this the *right* decision.

Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences... and find out which of your spaces are, or are not, accessible. 

Thanks!

Aliza Schlabach
Founder | Coworking For Parents (Philadelphia)

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