The Blanck Group, a recognized leader in the disability community for their expertise in disability law and policy, has issued a report titled "Accessibility Standards for Multifamily Housing: Report on Approaches with Focus on Slope, Reach, Tolerance and Measurement".
The report seeks to investigate whether the current standards and existing safe harbors are the only means of achieving accessibility.
After a lengthy process of research and analysis covering available settlement agreements, relevant administrative and court decisions, design studies and member focus groups, the report identifies the most critical design elements for developers and challenges the current standards as the only means of achieving compliance in these areas.
The areas for study and analysis included: (1) running and cross slopes; (2) reach ranges relative to environmental controls; (3) centering in kitchens and bathrooms; and (4) methods of measurement.
The Blanck Group worked in collaboration with their partners at the Center for Universal Design, a national research information and technical assistance center that develops, promotes and evaluates accessible universal design in housing, buildings and outdoor and urban environments.
The report's overall findings call into question the state of the science in the area of accessibility standards development. Their review and analysis support and recommend alternatives to current standards, notably the use of tolerances in lieu of strict measurement protocols as defined in various safe harbors.
NAA/NMHC are hopeful that the findings of this report, which was supported by NAA/NMHC, will be helpful to member companies who are currently in litigation and/or settlement negotiations.
Read the full report 
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