Accessibility feature glossary
This is the copy standard for listing notes. Features are measured. People are not described. Where a figure comes from the 2010 ADA Standards, the citation is on the row.
Direct answer
The accessibility feature glossary is the copy standard for listing notes on this site. Each row records a measurable building feature—such as zero-step entry or door clear width—often with a 2010 ADA Standards citation. Features are measured. People are not described.
accessibility feature glossary · 2010 ADA Standards · zero-step entry · door clear width
Which feature categories are covered?
Entry
Zero-step entry
A route from the arrival point to the primary entrance with no stair and no abrupt level change. Thresholds, if present, are low and beveled.
Measurement: Vertical change up to 1/4 in. may be untreated; 1/4–1/2 in. requires a bevel (ADA 303.2–303.3).
Why it matters: Removes the need to lift a wheeled device or take a step at the door.
Covered landing at entry
A weather-protected floor surface immediately outside the primary door, large enough to wait, unlock, and maneuver while the door swings.
Measurement: Record landing depth and door swing direction on each listing.
Why it matters: Keeps the transfer and keying sequence out of rain and direct sun.
Ramp slope
Running slope of any ramp used in place of stairs on the arrival route.
Measurement: Maximum 1:12 running slope (ADA 405.2).
Why it matters: A steeper run requires more force to ascend and more control to descend.
Circulation
Door clear width
The open width of the doorway measured between the face of the door and the stop, with the door open 90 degrees.
Measurement: 32 in. minimum clear width (ADA 404.2.3). 36 in. is recorded when present.
Why it matters: Determines whether a wheeled device and its user can pass the opening without angling or removing doors.
Interior route width
Clear width of hallways and other interior routes used to reach bedrooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen.
Measurement: 36 in. minimum on an accessible route (ADA 403.5.1).
Why it matters: Sets whether a person can travel between rooms without removing furniture as a workaround.
Turning space
A clear floor area that allows a 180-degree turn, typically in kitchens, bathrooms, and at the end of a hall.
Measurement: 60 in. diameter circle, or a T-turn as described in ADA 304.3.
Why it matters: Avoids having to reverse an entire hallway to change direction.
Single-level floor plan
Primary living, cooking, sleeping, and bathing rooms on one finished floor, with no interior stair between them.
Why it matters: Eliminates repeated stair use for daily routines.
Bathroom
Roll-in shower
A shower compartment with no curb, or a low transferable threshold, and clear floor space to enter.
Measurement: Transfer and roll-in dimensions vary; record curb height and clear floor space.
Why it matters: Allows bathing without stepping over a standard tub wall.
Grab bars at toilet and shower
Fixed bars at the toilet and in the shower or tub, mounted to blocking in the wall—not tension rods.
Measurement: ADA 609 describes bar diameter and clearance from the wall when present.
Why it matters: Provides a stable handhold during transfers. Decorative towel bars are not a substitute.
Toilet clear floor space
Clear floor area beside and in front of the toilet for a transfer.
Measurement: Record clearance to the nearest obstruction on each side and in front.
Why it matters: Sets whether a transfer from a wheeled device is possible without relocating fixtures.
Knee clearance at sink
Open space under a lavatory or kitchen sink so a seated person can roll forward to the bowl or basin.
Measurement: ADA 306 describes knee and toe clearance when the standard applies.
Why it matters: Allows use of the fixture from a seated position.
Kitchen
Work surface height
Counter or table height and whether a portion of the work surface has knee clearance.
Measurement: Record finished height from the floor and any open below-counter span.
Why it matters: Standard 36 in. counters may be unusable from a seated position without a lowered section.
Sensory
Lighting and contrast at changes of level
Illumination and visual contrast at stairs, ramps, thresholds, and task surfaces. Notes glare from uncovered windows on glossy floors.
Why it matters: Low vision and depth-perception changes make unmarked level changes easy to miss.
Systems
Lever door hardware
Door and faucet controls operable with a closed fist, without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist.
Measurement: Operable with 5 pounds of force maximum where ADA 309.4 applies.
Why it matters: Round knobs require grip and rotation that many hands cannot produce.
Electrical outlet and switch reach
Height of frequently used switches, thermostats, and outlets above the finished floor.
Measurement: Reach ranges in ADA 308 when the standard applies; otherwise record the measured height.
Why it matters: Controls above a seated reach require a second person or a tool for daily use.
Key facts
- Categories: entry, circulation, bathroom, kitchen, sensory, systems
- Example measurement: 32 in. minimum door clear width (ADA 404.2.3)
- Example measurement: 36 in. minimum accessible route width (ADA 403.5.1)
- Example measurement: maximum 1:12 ramp running slope (ADA 405.2)
- Fair Housing rule on this site: features, not personas
Frequently asked questions
What is an accessibility feature glossary in real estate?
It is a published list of objective building attributes used to pre-verify listings. Each item has a factual description, an optional measurement, and a note on why the measurement matters for daily use of the building.
Do you describe who a house is for?
No. Copy and feature sheets describe door widths, thresholds, showers, and routes. They do not claim a property fits a type of person.
Where do the measurements come from?
Where a published figure exists, rows cite the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Residential listings may exceed or fall short of those figures; the glossary records what was measured on the unit.
What is zero-step entry?
A route from the arrival point to the primary entrance with no stair and no abrupt level change. Thresholds, if present, are low and beveled per the cited standard.