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City of South Bend and St. Joseph County Historic Preservation Guidelines 79 <br />For More Information: Accessibility <br />Access to historic buildings for everyone regardless of ability is an important project goal for all sites . Owners of historic properties should comply as fully as possible with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), State and local accessibility codes while preserving the building’s historic integrity—the materials and designs that give it its look and feel . <br />Special provisions for historic buildings exist in the law and building codes allowing alternatives in meeting the ADA standards . <br />Remember that ADA is not only for wheelchairs, but owners are advised to consider signage for the site impaired, and color for <br />those with color blindness . <br />The National Park Service offers guidance and recommendations for designing accessibility solutions here . <br />If an addition is contemplated to provide accessibility, the following National Park Service Technical bulletin may be helpful—here . <br />Additional Resources can be found: <br />• Structure Magazine <br />• Old House Online – Adapting your old house as you age <br />• Old House Online – Updating for accessibility <br />What is your project? <br />Adding a ramp <br />Modifying sidewalks and other walkways <br />If the entrance has one or two steps and sufficient area in front and to the side of the entrance, consider modifying the grade to slope it up (no more than 1” in height to 12” in run) to eliminate the steps. <br />Adding railings to existing stairs and landings <br />New handrails should be designed with balusters and handrails that are reflective of the design of the building. Materials should be <br />reflective of the building—aluminum and wrought iron should be considered for masonry buildings and wood railings fashioned in a <br />similar manner as any other porch railings for wood buildings . <br />Return to the Table of Contents <br />Accessibility <br />Or they can be a detriment—this approach would <br />not be approved by the Commission <br />Ramps provide the most common form of entrance modification to <br />allow barrier free entrance to the main floor of a building. They can be <br />designed as a compliment to the historic building .