Background: What is the ADA?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990, is landmark civil rights legislation prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. This includes jobs, schools, transportation, and public and private places open to the general public.

The ADA ensures people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Its influence spans employment, public accommodations, communications, and access to state and local government programs and services.

Why ADA Compliance is Critical

ADA compliance is not just a legal requirement. ADA is a cornerstone of public safety, mobility, and equality. Properly designed sidewalks, ramps, and crosswalks ensure:

• Safe navigation for wheelchair users, parents with strollers, and elderly pedestrians

• Reduced liability for municipalities

• Inclusive access to public resources

Every slope, surface, and structure within the public right-of-way (ROW) must meet ADA standards. This includes sidewalks, curb ramps, crosswalks, detectable warning surfaces, bus stops, and more. Below are key measurements required to assess ADA features:

Curb Ramps

• Slope: Max 8.33% (1:12)
• Cross slope: Max 2.0%
• Width: Min 36 inches
• Landings: Min 48 inches by 48 inches at top
• Detectable warnings: Required, 24 inches deep across full width

Crosswalks

• Width: Minimum 6 feet (desirable 10+ feet)
• Cross slope: Max 2.0%
• Markings: High-contrast, perpendicular to travel direction

Tolerances:

• Vertical alignment tolerance: +/- 0.25"
• Grade slope tolerance: +/- 0.5%
• Surface gaps: No gaps > 0.5"

ADA Design Reference Diagrams:

• Curb Ramp Basics - FHWA Guide
• PROWAG Proposed Guidelines

Transition Plans = Funding

To receive federal and state funding (e.g., from the Federal Highway Administration), municipalities must have an ADA Transition Plan in place. These plans require:

• A full inventory of ADA assets within the ROW
• Detailed assessments of condition and compliance
• Timelines and budgets for corrective actions

Without a plan, funding can be withheld. That’s why agencies are moving fast to digitize, document, and plan upgrades.

How GIS & Survey Tech Are Powering Accessibility Audits

Local governments are rapidly using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and land surveying tools to:

• Map the location of ADA features
• Measure slopes, cross-slopes, widths, and surfaces
• Prioritize fixes and create defensible transition plans

Why Bad Elf GNSS Makes a Difference

The Bad Elf Flex and Flex Mini GNSS receivers are revolutionizing this workflow:

• High Accuracy: Submeter or centimeter RTK accuracy to measure slope, ramp grades, and crosswalk angles
• Mobile-Friendly: Pairs with phones or tablets in the field
• RTK-Ready: Compatible with most correction services (e.g., Geodnet, PointOne, Skylark, state networks)
• Low Learning Curve: Simple interfaces reduce training time
• Affordable: Much lower cost than traditional survey-grade GNSS

Field Techs: Use apps like Survey123, Field Maps, or Apglos to collect geospatial data with Bad Elf hardware Office Engineers: Import accurate data directly into ADA compliance dashboards or GIS platforms like ArcGIS. This combination enables teams to rapidly scale data collection without sacrificing precision.

The Cost of Non-Compliance

Lack of ADA infrastructure contributes to:

• Personal injury lawsuits
• Increased insurance premiums
• Lost federal/state funding

According to the National Floor Safety Institute, fall-related injuries cost U.S. organizations over $70 billion annually! A significant portion is linked to poor sidewalks and ramps!

ADA compliance is about more than ramps, it’s about creating cities where everyone can move freely and safely. With modern GNSS like Bad Elf Flex and smart GIS tools, mapping accessibility has never been easier.Let’s build communities where equity and access aren't an afterthought.

Questions about ADA data collection or Bad Elf tools?
Email: get@bad-elf.com

Sources:

• ADA.gov: https://www.ada.gov/ 
• U.S. Access Board: https://www.access-board.gov/ 

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