Common Design Elements – Part 1

Resource Title:
Common Design Elements – Part 1

Americans with Disabilities Act

  • Every consideration should be taken to accommodate requirements set forth by the ADA, including but not limited to appropriate lighting and space for a signer, wheelchair access and any other accommodations.
  • The ADA Code of Federal regulations may be found at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adastd94.pdf (PDF document).

Chalkboard

  • All chalkboards should have at least a 2” tack board along the top of the board, a chalk tray and an eraser (Allen et al., 1996).

  classroom chalkboard

Desks/Tables

  • Table tops should have a non-glare, medium shade surface (Case Western Reserve University, 1997; Cornell University, 1998; Emmons & Wilkinson, 2001).

Doors

  • Entrances to the classroom should be at the rear of the room (Adams, 1995).

Flooring

  • Carpeted rooms should use high-grade, heavy traffic tiled carpeting (Allen et al., 1996; Case Western Reserve University, 1997).
  • Tile should be industrial grade non-slip rubber or vinyl tile (Allen et al., 1996).

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