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Sheppard Pratt Medical Hospital

Elkridge, MD


Accessibility compliance for the largest nonprofit provider of mental health, substance use, special education, developmental disability, and social services in the U.S. 

Project Overview

Sheppard Pratt Health System is the largest nonprofit provider of mental health, substance use, special education, developmental disability, and social services in the U.S. and for nearly 30 years has been consistently ranked as a top national psychiatric hospital by U.S. News & World Report.

Committed to improving access to treatment, Sheppard Pratt is developing a 40-acre campus in Elkridge, Maryland dedicated to behavioral and mental health care. The new facility includes an outpatient day hospital, inpatient units with an 85-bed capacity, and space to accommodate crisis services. Amenities include a gymnasium, open landscaped courtyards, wandering walking paths, and reflecting areas accessible to patients, staff, and visitors.

The campus will also include a 76,000-sf medical office building to provide outpatient and substance abuse services, as well as two building pads for future expansion.

Building Details


  • 156,000 SF

Project Team


  • Owner: Sheppard Pratt Health System, Inc.
  • Architect: CannonDesign
  • Construction Management: Benchmark Construction

Services Provided


  • Accessibility Consulting

Accessibility

SWA worked closely with the design and construction teams from CannonDesign and Benchmark to ensure that the project is built in compliance with the accessibility requirements of federal and state accessibility laws and the local building code, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Code of Maryland Regulations, and the Howard County Building Code.

SWA consultants conducted plan reviews during the design stage, participated in design charettes, performed field inspections during construction, and offered technical assistance throughout all phases of design and construction. SWA provides guidance to ensure that all aspects of the facilities are accessible, thereby upholding the program goals and promoting the safety and comfort of the patient population.