Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Justice extended the deadline, to Jan. 31, 2013, for aquatic facility operators to comply with new provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding access to public pools and spas. Since that time, the DOJ has provided additional information regarding compliance, including a sheet of questions and answers that addresses some of the common areas of confusion and a five-page Technical Assistance Document that outlines the reasons for the ADA regulations, explains which pools need to be made accessible and defines "readily achievable barrier removal."
According to the document, pool operators who purchased portable lifts before March 15 "may use it, as long as you keep it in position for use at the pool and operational during all times that the pool is open to guests."
For the Q&A document, click here.
For the technical assistance document, click here.
