Having just renovated an old building for vacation rental apartments, I learned a few things. Basically, ADA is a huge question mark. Nobody seems to know exactly what's what. Not my architect, not our local building inspector, not the state building code, nobody.
In my town, there is no ADA pass/fail inspector. The local building inspector knows a few basics but they are just suggestions. It's a national law, and there is no national inspector who comes to pass or fail you. Some states have state laws more strict than the federal law, but my state just lets the federal law handle it. In my area, if you chose to ignore ADA, you can do it. It's just that if someone wants to take you to court for failing to meet ADA, you may not have a leg to stand on.
The thing is, the ADA code goes on for hundreds of pages in intricate detail. I don't think ANYBODY is fully compliant. The best you can do is make a good faith effort.
In my case, I made one apartment accessible with no steps to enter, all doors are 3 feet wide, there are plenty of grab bars around the tall toilet and the tub/shower. I got a plastic bench that spans the tub so someone can sit down to bathe. Both the bathroom lavatory and kitchen sink are clear underneath so someone in a wheel chair can roll their leggs under the counter to use the sink while sitting. The kitchen range has all the controls in the front so someone in a chair can reach them.
That's it, but there are so many other things I didn't do that are mentioned in the ADA law, like lights that flash so the deaf know there's someone at the door.
All I can do is wish you luck..
