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Guide to the ABA Accessibility Standards

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This guide explains requirements in the ABA Standards for clear floor or ground space and turning space. Clearances are required at accessible elements, fixtures, and controls so that people with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs, can approach and use them. The standards also address maneuvering space for wheelchair turning. Provisions throughout the standards reference these basic “building block” requirements.

Clear Floor or Ground Space

[§305

Sufficient clear floor or ground space is required at accessible controls, operable parts, drinking fountains, lavatories and sinks, ATMs and fare machines, appliances, beds, and other elements. Provisions for these elements apply the clear floor or ground specifications in 305.

Clear Floor Space at Elements

Clear floor space highlighted at fire extinguisher cabinet, drinking fountain, and electrical outlet

Clear floor space is required at each accessible element, including storage cabinets, drinking fountains and other fixtures, and electrical outlets. Clear floor spaces can overlap where elements are in close proximity.

Position

[§305.5]

At most elements, clear floor or ground space can be positioned for either a forward or a side approach. For better usability, a forward approach is required at certain elements, including dining and work surfaces, drinking fountains, lavatories, and most sinks. At other elements, a side approach is allowed. A side approach is typically provided or required at sales and service counters, beds, and most appliances.

Forward Approach Person using wheelchair making forward approach to fire extinguisher cabinet
Side Approach Person using wheelchair making side approach to wall-mounted phone
Clear floor space shown in plan view centered at drinking fountain
Centering Centering the clear floor or ground space on elements is often advisable but is only required at drinking fountains, kitchen work surfaces, and washers and dryers.

Surface and Size

[§305.2 and §305.3]

Clear floor spaces must meet requirements for ground and floor surfaces, including criteria for firmness, stability, and slip resistance. They must be free of level changes and not slope more than 1:48.

The minimum size (30” by 48”) applies whether the space is positioned for forward or side approaches. Additional space is required when the space is confined on three sides and is obstructed for more than half the depth, such as when elements are recessed in alcoves.

clear floor space for forward approach 48 inches long min. and 30 inches min wide (or 36 inches min. wide if located in alcove and obstructed on both sides more than 24 inches

Approach and Maneuvering Clearance

[§305.6 and §305.7]

Where the space is obstructed on both sides for more than half the depth, additional clearance is required for maneuvering. Accessible routes must connect to the unobstructed side of the space.

clear floor space for side approach 60" long min. located in alcove and obstructed on both sides more than 15"

Knee and Toe Space

[§305.4 and §306

Objects that provide space for toes or knees can overlap a portion of the clear floor space. Knee and toe space allows a closer approach to elements and reduces the reach to operable parts. It is required at some elements, such as drinking fountains and lavatories, so that people using wheelchairs can pull up to them.

Toe Space Wall-mounted object with clearance for toes overlapping limited portion of clear floor space for forward approach Objects that provide clearance for toes can overlap a portion of the clear floor space.
Knee Space Counter-type object with knee and toe clearance overlapping portion of clear floor space for forward approach Objects that provide clearance for knees and toes can overlap a greater portion of the clear floor space (up to a depth of 25”).
Knee and toe space 30 inches wide min. and 25 inches deep max. (no protrusions into minimum space permitted other than dip of overflow)
Knee and toe space must be at least 30” wide and up to 25” deep measured to the leading edge of the clear floor space. The specifications allow space for plumbing, enclosures, and supports outside the minimum clearances. No object can protrude into the required clearances (other than the dip of the overflow at lavatories and sinks).

Knee and Toe Space Depth

Where knee and toe space is required, it must be at least 17” deep. In all cases, the minimum depth may be further determined by the required reach to operable parts served by the clear floor space.

Knee and toe space is required below drinking fountains, lavatories and sinks, dining and work surfaces, and those sales and service counters that provide a forward approach.

drinking fountain, lavatory/sink, and dining surface icons
Person using wheelchair reaching over counter with knee and toe space that is 17 inches deep min.

Obstructed Reach and Depth

Person using wheelchair shown reaching over counter with reach depth 25 inches max. from the leading edge and the knee and toe space below equal or greter than the reach depth (25 inches max.)
At any element, the knee and toe space must be as deep as the required reach to operable parts. This facilitates access since a forward reach does not extend far beyond the toes. Both the reach depth and the knee and toe space depth are limited to 25” measured from the leading edge of obstructions. Space beyond this depth is not usable.

Knee and Toe Clearances

Toe space 9 inches high and 6 inches deep max. and knee space that slopes up 18 inches from a 9 inch height to a 27 inche height over a 3 inche span and is 8 inches deep at a full height of 27 inches (for a total depth of 11 inches for knee and 17 inches including the 6 inch toe space)

Where knee and toe space is required at an element, it must be at least 17” deep.

Beyond a depth of 8” measured from the leading edge, the 27” minimum high knee clearance can reduce 18” (to the 9” toe space) over a 3” span.

Knee and toe space 25 inches deep max. with the additional depth (above the 17 inch min.) providing full knee clearance
When the knee and toe depth exceeds the 17” minimum, the additional space must provide full knee clearance at least 27” high.

Turning Space

[§304

icons representing toilet/bathing facilities, dressing rooms, transient lodging, dwelling units, medical care facilities, and prison cells

Turning space is required in these accessible rooms and spaces:

  • toilet and bathing facilities
  • dressing, fitting, and locker rooms
  • transient lodging guest rooms
  • dwelling units (all rooms on an accessible route)
  • patient bedrooms
  • holding and housing cells
  • saunas and steam rooms
  • raised courtroom stations served by ramps or lifts with entry ramps
  • certain recreation spaces (amusement ride load/ unload areas, fishing piers and platforms, play components, and shooting facilities)

Space for turning is also required along accessible routes where a 180 degree turn around an obstruction less than 48” wide is required (§403.5.2).

Clear Width at 180 Degree Turn Around a Narrow Obstruction

Turning space at obstructions less than 48" long require a clearance of 60" min. (or 48" min. if both connecting routes are 42" min. wide)

Maneuvering for Turns

Person in plan view turning wheelchair by moving wheels in opposite
directions

Maneuvering for 180 degree turns varies by person and the mobility aid used. An efficient way of turning using a manual wheelchair is to turn the wheels in opposite directions for a pivoting turn. Some power chairs also may permit tight circular turns.

A three-point turn is common when using scooters and other motorized devices that have a larger turning radius.

Person using scooter shown in plan view making 3-point turn

Size

[§304.3]

Turning space can be provided in the shape of a circle or a T. Elements with knee and toe space can overlap a portion of the turning space.

Circular Turning Space

Sink with knee and toe space overlapping portion of 60" min. diameter turning circle

T-Shaped Turning Space

T-shaped space can be configured for approach on any segment (stem or either arm).

T-shaped turning space with overall width of 60" min. and overall depth of 60" min. with each arm and stem 36" wide min. Object with knee and toe space, such as a sink, can overlap only one segment of the the T; the other 2 segments must be clear for approach and backing up.

Door Swing

[§304.4] and Other Space Requirements

Doors can swing into the turning space. The turning space can overlap other space requirements, including clear floor space required at elements and fixtures.

Turning circle in toilet room shown overlapping clear floor space at toilet and lavatory and door maneuvering clearance; doors are permitted to swing into turning space.

Common Questions

question mark

Is clear floor space required to be centered on elements?

The standards require the clear floor space to be centered on wheelchair accessible drinking fountains (forward approach), kitchen work surfaces, (forward approach), and washers and dryers (side approach). Centering the clear floor space on other elements is often advisable, but not required.

Can doors swing into required clear floor or ground space?

Doors cannot swing into required clear floor or ground spaces in these specific instances:

  • clear floor space at controls for automatic and power assisted doors and gates (404.3.5)
  • fixture clearances in toilet and bathing facilities (except those that are single user where wheelchair space beyond the door swing is provided) (603.2.3)
  • clear floor space required at benches in saunas and steam rooms (612.2)
  • clear floor space required at tactile signs, which must be beyond the arc of any door swing between the closed position and 45 degree open position (703.4.2)
  • dressing, fitting, or locker rooms unless wheelchair space is provided beyond the arc of the door swing (803.3)

In other locations, doors can swing into clear floor or ground space, although locating door swing outside required clearances is advisable.

Can doors swing into turning space?

Yes, doors can swing into turning space.

Can clear floor/ground space or turning space overlap other space requirements?

Yes, clear floor or ground spaces and turning space can overlap other required clearances, including other clear floor spaces, door maneuvering clearances, and fixture clearances.

Is turning space required in all rooms and spaces?

No. Turning space is required in certain spaces, such as toilet and bathing facilities, dressing and fitting rooms, and transient lodging guest rooms. Unless addressed by a specific requirement for turning space in the standards, other spaces are not required to provide them, including lobbies, offices, and meeting rooms.

Technical Assistance

Contact the Access Board for guidance on these standards