Exploring the ADA Companion Guide: ADA Accessibility Guidelines and the Architectural Barriers Act Explained

Accessibility is far more than a legal obligation—it is a moral imperative and a smart business decision. By designing inclusive spaces, professionals ensure that buildings and services are usable by everyone, regardless of ability.

The ADA Companion Guide serves as a powerful tool in achieving this goal. It transforms dense regulatory standards into actionable, understandable, and visually supported guidance. Whether you're an architect, contractor, facility manager, or business owner, using this guide can help you create environments that not only comply with the ADA and ABA, but also reflect a deep commitment to equity and inclusion.

By investing in accessible design today, we build a future that’s open, welcoming, and functional for all.

Accessibility is a cornerstone of inclusive design in public spaces, workplaces, and digital environments. The ability for everyone—regardless of physical ability—to access buildings, services, and information is a fundamental right and a societal necessity. In the United States, two critical pieces of legislation uphold this principle: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). These laws ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to facilities and services across the country.

To help design professionals, business owners, and building managers navigate the technical requirements of these laws, the ADA Companion Guide was developed. This essential resource interprets the complex accessibility guidelines outlined in the ADA and ABA, offering real-world advice, visuals, and best practices for compliance.

In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore the ADA Companion Guide, the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). You'll learn how these regulations interact, their impact on design and construction, and how professionals can ensure their projects are inclusive and compliant.

The ADA Companion Guide is a detailed and illustrated reference book that serves as a practical tool for understanding and applying the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Authored by Marcela A. Rhoads, FAIA, a licensed architect and accessibility specialist, this guide breaks down the technical requirements of the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) into easy-to-understand explanations.

The guide is specifically designed for:

• Architects

• Interior designers

• Facility managers

• Construction professionals

• Code officials

• Accessibility consultants

Unlike legal texts or raw government standards, the ADA Companion Guide presents the material in a user-friendly format. It includes detailed diagrams, photographs of compliant and non-compliant conditions, and side-by-side comparisons that clarify ambiguous requirements. This makes it an invaluable resource not only for those new to accessibility standards but also for seasoned professionals seeking clear and practical interpretations.

Passed in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. It applies to all areas of public life and ensures that individuals with disabilities receive the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA is divided into several titles:

• Title I – Employment

• Title II – State and Local Government Services

• Title III – Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities

• Title IV – Telecommunications

• Title V – Miscellaneous Provisions

For the purposes of accessibility in physical spaces, Title III is most relevant. It mandates that all new construction and alterations to public accommodations and commercial facilities must be accessible to individuals with disabilities. This requirement led to the development of the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG).

The ADAAG are a set of technical guidelines developed by the U.S. Access Board, an independent federal agency committed to accessible design. These guidelines define the minimum requirements for accessible design in areas such as:

• Entrances and exits

• Corridors and walkways

• Ramps and stairs

• Door hardware and thresholds

• Bathrooms and plumbing fixtures

• Elevators and lifts

• Signage and communication systems

• Parking areas

• Recreational and outdoor areas

In 2010, the Department of Justice (DOJ) formally adopted the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, which merged the ADAAG with DOJ regulatory language. These standards are mandatory for both public and commercial entities and serve as the enforceable benchmark for ADA compliance.

The ADAAG focuses on eliminating architectural barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing and enjoying the same facilities and services as others. Compliance with these guidelines is not just about ticking legal checkboxes—it's about designing spaces that reflect equity and dignity.

While the ADA governs public and commercial sectors, the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) targets a specific category: federally funded buildings. Enacted in 1968, the ABA was the first major federal law to address accessibility in the built environment. It requires that all buildings and facilities designed, constructed, altered, or leased with federal funds be accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Facilities covered under the ABA include:

• Federal government offices

• U.S. Postal Service locations

• National parks and monuments

• Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals

• Courthouses and military installations

• Public housing developed with HUD funding

Unlike the ADA, which is enforced by the DOJ and EEOC, the ABA is enforced by several federal agencies, each overseeing their own facilities:

• General Services Administration (GSA)

• Department of Defense (DoD)

• Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

• United States Postal Service (USPS)

These agencies base their accessibility standards on the ABA Accessibility Guidelines (ABAAG) issued by the U.S. Access Board, ensuring consistency in design expectations across federal facilities.

Though both laws serve the goal of promoting accessibility, there are key differences in their scope and application:

It's essential to understand which law governs a specific facility. In some cases—such as a public-private partnership project—both the ADA and ABA may apply simultaneously.

Navigating the dense and highly technical language of accessibility laws can be daunting. The ADA Companion Guide simplifies this process in several key ways:

The ADA and ABA standards contain legal terminology that can be difficult for the average reader to interpret. The Companion Guide translates this into plain, understandable language, making it easier for professionals to implement the standards correctly.

The book features numerous illustrations, photos, and annotated floor plans that demonstrate both correct and incorrect applications. Visual learners especially benefit from seeing side-by-side examples of compliant versus non-compliant scenarios.

Beyond what the law requires, the guide offers real-world insights and best practices for achieving accessible design that’s not just legally compliant, but also functional and user-friendly.

The Companion Guide calls attention to frequent oversights—such as incorrect ramp slopes, improper door widths, or misplaced signage—that could result in costly code violations or renovations.

Accessibility standards don't exist in a vacuum. The guide explains how federal standards relate to state laws, the International Building Code (IBC), and ANSI A117.1, helping designers coordinate across overlapping codes.

Non-compliance with accessibility laws can lead to serious consequences, including:

• Civil lawsuits and class-action cases

• DOJ enforcement actions

• Financial penalties (up to $75,000 for first ADA violations)

• Delays in project approval or occupancy permits

• Negative publicity and reputational damage

Accessibility isn’t just for people with permanent disabilities. Thoughtful design can benefit:

• Parents pushing strollers

• Elderly individuals with mobility limitations

• Delivery personnel with carts

• Visitors with temporary injuries

• Non-native speakers navigating signage

As the U.S. population ages, the need for accessible design continues to grow. Facilities that prioritize accessibility now will better serve future generations and avoid costly retrofits later.

Engage accessibility experts from the concept and design phase to avoid missteps that are harder and more expensive to fix later.

Use the guide as a day-to-day reference during design, review, and construction. Keep it on hand as a training tool for teams and subcontractors.

Periodically assess your facilities to ensure ongoing compliance, especially after renovations or change of use.

Standards evolve over time. Stay current with changes issued by the U.S. Access Board, DOJ, and relevant state and local agencies.

Train everyone involved—from project managers to maintenance staff—on the why and how of accessibility compliance.

Many design or construction teams unknowingly create barriers by overlooking details. Frequent problem areas include:

• Improper slope or handrails on ramps

• Doors that require excessive force or open into narrow spaces

• Inadequate turning radius in restrooms or hallways

• Incorrectly mounted grab bars and dispensers

• Missing or unclear tactile/Braille signage

• Pathways blocked by temporary or permanent obstacles

These issues are easily preventable when the ADA Companion Guide is consulted early and often.

Though the ADA Companion Guide focuses on physical spaces, it’s essential to consider digital accessibility as well. The ADA applies to websites, mobile apps, and digital kiosks, especially when they offer public-facing services.

To ensure digital ADA compliance:

• Follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

• Ensure compatibility with screen readers

• Provide alt text for images

• Use proper heading structures and keyboard navigation

• Test regularly with accessibility tools

Ignoring digital accessibility can result in legal exposure and alienate users with disabilities.

• ADA Companion Guide – Marcela Rhoads, FAIA

• ADA.gov – DOJ information and guidance

• Access-Board.gov – Guidelines and rulemaking updates

• ADA National Network – Regional assistance and training

• International Code Council (ICC) – IBC and ANSI standards information

Creating accessible environments is not just about meeting legal requirements—it’s about building a society that values dignity, independence, and equal opportunity for all. The ADA Companion Guide is more than a reference book; it's a bridge between complex regulations and real-world application, empowering professionals to design spaces that truly work for everyone.

By embracing accessibility from the earliest stages of planning and design, we move closer to a world where no one is excluded because of a disability. Whether you're managing a federal facility or designing a neighborhood café, the principles outlined in the ADA and ABA—supported by tools like the ADA Companion Guide—help ensure that inclusion is not an afterthought, but a foundation.

Accessibility benefits everyone. By prioritizing it today, we create a future that’s not only compliant—but compassionate, sustainable, and inclusive by design.