BillConnerFASTC
Well-Known Member
Exceptions or allowance or existing to remain non-compliant varies a lot on jurisdiction - from a rural community in the mid-west or southern parts of eh US where there ins practically contempt for these regulations to cities in California, where it seems the more regulations the better; not to mention other countries such as SK8RSDAD here. Certainly basing how much is required on how much you are spending and whether or not you must make changes even if not doing anything all vary. One tactic that I find never successful is is to show contempt, discrediting the regulations, and looking for loopholes in the words. Some authorities will never be reasonable, and maybe that is cause to call the mayor's or legislator's office, whom ever is in charge of the unreasonable one, but I think education and patience pays off more frequently, and a sincere intent to accommodate everyone.
I will say that beginning with the accessibility issue rather than designing what you want with no regard for accessibility and then trying to incorporate it is bound to cause problems. I usually develop a sprat sheet of all elevations, try to determine the physical and budget feasibility of ramps versus lifts and elevators, and then figure out the most efficient place to locate them. One project began with a single elevator to serve orchestra pit, fifth row, control room, and balcony. Started design with an 8' X 8' shaft and worked from there out for the entire small PAC. Just like laying out all the wheelchair space sin a seating plan first, and the seats second.
In the OP's case, seems like there needs to be an accessible route in the addition that connects the various places a wheelchair needs to get to in order to not discriminate, and maybe starting with a discussion with the authorities about what those places are would be more productive then a here's our plan and we cant do what you want.
With out a doubt and perhaps - just perhaps - with the exception for electricity, accessibility has had the biggest impact on theatre planning in hundreds of years.
I will say that beginning with the accessibility issue rather than designing what you want with no regard for accessibility and then trying to incorporate it is bound to cause problems. I usually develop a sprat sheet of all elevations, try to determine the physical and budget feasibility of ramps versus lifts and elevators, and then figure out the most efficient place to locate them. One project began with a single elevator to serve orchestra pit, fifth row, control room, and balcony. Started design with an 8' X 8' shaft and worked from there out for the entire small PAC. Just like laying out all the wheelchair space sin a seating plan first, and the seats second.
In the OP's case, seems like there needs to be an accessible route in the addition that connects the various places a wheelchair needs to get to in order to not discriminate, and maybe starting with a discussion with the authorities about what those places are would be more productive then a here's our plan and we cant do what you want.
With out a doubt and perhaps - just perhaps - with the exception for electricity, accessibility has had the biggest impact on theatre planning in hundreds of years.
