"ADA Surveys" are used during real estate transactions anddevelopment to identify potential accessibility issues at aproperty. Property Condition Assessments performed beforeacquisition of a property frequently include a screen forcompliance with Title III of ADA, though a detailed accessibilitysurvey can provide a more complete picture of compliance with ADAand other accessibility regulations[TB1] .The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights lawpassed in 1990 established protections for people withdisabilities. Among other things, the Act required new constructionof "public accommodations" and "commercial facilities" to complywith certain requirements to make the facilities accessible to thedisabled, and required the removal of barriers to access inexisting buildings. This applies even if the building was builtbefore ADA became effective. There is a common misconception thatsome buildings have been "grandfathered", and are not required tocomply with ADA; but ADA does not protect buildings built beforepassage of the Act.[TB2]

ADA surveys are strictly limited to an evaluation of conformancewith requirements of the Americas with Disabilities Act. AdditionalFederal, State and local requirements may apply, but wouldtypically be evaluated only during the completion of a moredetailed accessibility survey. An ADA Surveygenerally includes:.

Accessible Route: An accessible route of travelmust be provided to all public accommodations and commercialfacilities within the building and from the public way to anaccessible entrance. To the extent feasible, the route shouldcoincide with the route typically used by the general public.