I am not familiar with the ADA, not being an American, but you seem to be misinterpreting the advice. It is not telling you at what height to place the panel or other exhibit should be, but rather to site the exhibit so it can be comfortably viewed _from_ those heights (ie a range consonant with someone sitting in a wheelchair). 

Best wishes

Pete
-- 
Peter M Gray
Museums Officer
East Lothian Council
www.eastlothian.gov.uk/museums
www.eastlothianmuseums.org

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of John Martinson
Sent: 22 February 2006 21:34
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: ADA Exhibit Requirements


I had a question on ADA requirements for exhibits.  We are having
conversation on the issue of 
wheelchairs and that the "exhibit can be seen from viewing sightings of
43 in. to 51 in. high from the floor."
(p 5 of 39 ADMS, PNNEW INDEX).

Does that mean that we can only have 8 in. of panel on the wall, or
that the panel must fit within that area
off the floor, or it could mean the panel can be anywhere from 0 in. to
51 in's from the floor?  
I have seen no museums are using only an 8 inch section of panel (43 to
51 in. from the floor) for their exhibit/labels, or have their entire
panels/exhibit BELOW 51 inches.  

Sitting in a chair near the panels it is readable, but we were thinking
there are more people who are 5 feet 5 or taller who would have a very
difficult time looking down at something 43 inches, especially if trying
to read the text.  

How does your museum comply with ADA requirements with this issue?  

John
Boise, ID  

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).

______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email 
______________________________________________________________________


**********************************************************************
Email Disclaimer - East Lothian Council
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they
are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify
the sender and ensure it is deleted and not read copied or disclosed
to anyone else. It is your responsibility to scan this email and any
attachments for computer viruses or other defects. East Lothian
Council do not accept liability for any loss or damage which may
result from this email or any files attached. Email is not secure and
can be intercepted, corrupted or amended without the knowledge of the
sender. East Lothian Council do not accept liability for errors or
omissions arising as a result of interrupted or defective transmission.
**********************************************************************


______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email 
______________________________________________________________________

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).