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Access Board News

U.S. Access Board Presents Preliminary Findings on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Disability Community and AI Practitioners

November 07, 2024
Minimalist graphic of a blue laptop with red wires spreading outwards from it. As part of the Developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Equity, Access & Inclusion for All Series, the Access Board will present its preliminary findings on the risks and benefits of AI for people with disabilities. The findings are based on the outcomes of three recent AI hearings held in August 2024, independent research and engagements, as well as comments received from the public. The presentation will take place virtually . . .

U.S. Access Board Mourns Passing of Former Long-Term Transportation Accessibility Specialist, Dennis Cannon

November 06, 2024
Dennis poses next to three other people. Dennis and two others are wheelchair users. With great sadness, the U.S. Access Board mourns the passing of former staff member and lifelong disability advocate, Dennis Cannon. Cannon served as the Transportation Accessibility Specialist for the Access board from 1981-2010. As a long-time advocate for accessible transportation, his remarkable legacy of disability advocacy was evident in his service to the Access Board. Cannon serviced on the Passenger Vessels Access Advisory Committee, where he supported efforts for accessible guidance and inclusive design for passenger vessels . . .

Join Us at the 2024 Interagency Accessibility Forum (IAAF)

November 05, 2024
Annual Interagency Accessibility Forum. November 13 - 14, 2024. Beyond Compliance: Building a Culture of Digital Accessibility This year’s annual Interagency Accessibility Forum (IAAF) will be held virtually on November 13 and 14. IAAF will feature a mix of presenters and speakers, workshops, and discussions led by accessibility professionals in the federal, private, academic, and other sectors. Presentation topics include best practices in managing and implementing digital accessibility imperatives including Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act . . .

U.S. Access Board Resolves 85 Architectural Barriers Act Complaints Through Corrective Action in Fiscal Year 2024

October 18, 2024
Exterior of the Sioux City Federal Building and United States Courthouse. The U.S. Access Board is the sole Federal agency responsible for enforcing the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (ABA), which it accomplishes by investigating complaints filed by the public. The ABA requires buildings or facilities designed, built, altered, or leased by the Federal Government, as well as certain nongovernment buildings constructed with funds from a federal grant or loan . . .

WCAG2ICT Published as W3C Group Note

October 08, 2024
Stylized graphic of W3C logo being assembled and lifted into place by three people.  A dark-skinned man in a red shirt sits on the left with a laptop.  In the middle, a medium skinned woman covered head to toe in purple hues, is lifting a large blue 3 to the right of a W.  On the right, a fair-skinned woman seated in wheelchair and wearing yellow, holds a large C in place. The WCAG2ICT Group Note has been a key resource for including WCAG in ICT accessibility regulation, legislation, and other standards around the world. The updated WCAG2ICT now facilitates further adoption of WCAG 2.1 and WCAG 2.2 in non-web contexts.

New ICT Testing Baseline for Documents Released

September 30, 2024
On a computer keyboard, the right shift button is replaced by a button that says: section 508. On September 30, 2024, the ICT Testing Baseline Portfolio site published the new ICT Testing Baseline for Documents. This baseline establishes the minimum tests and evaluation guidance to determine if an electronic document meets Section 508 requirements. Federal agencies are encouraged to adopt this baseline when developing Section 508 conformance test processes for non-web electronic documents . . .

U.S. Access Board Meeting and Webcast (October 30)

September 25, 2024
An Access Board meeting takes place within a window on the screen of a laptop. All are welcome to attend the next meeting of the U.S. Access Board, which will be open to the public and take place virtually on October 30 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. (ET). The agenda for the meeting includes brief reports from standing and ad hoc Board committees, federal agency updates, and a report by Executive Director Sachin Pavithran. Members of the public may attend the meeting through the Zoom.gov platform or by phone (listen-only mode). Please note that . . .

U.S. Access Board Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Rule for Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations

September 03, 2024
Graphic of an EV charging station with two pumps available. The station is vertical and there is a large screen and a set of buttons below it on the front. On September 3, the U.S. Access Board published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend the accessibility guidelines for buildings and facilities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (ABA) to specifically address the accessibility of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. This proposed rule provides specifications for the accessibility of EV charging stations, to include . . .

U.S. Access Board Holds Public Hearings as Part of Developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Equity, Access & Inclusion for All Series

August 28, 2024
Minimalist graphic of a blue laptop with red wires spreading outwards from it. Throughout the month of August, the U.S. Access Board held a series of public hearings on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on people with disabilities. On August 8, two hearings (in the morning and afternoon) were held to hear from members of the disability community. Additionally, a panel of speakers delivered remarks on the risks, benefits, and potential of artificial intelligence with respect to accessibility . . .

Department of Justice Adopts Access Board’s Minimum Standards for Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment

August 13, 2024
Logo of Department of Justice On August 9, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a final rule on the accessibility of medical diagnostic equipment (MDE) under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This final rule establishes standards for MDE used by state and local government entities that are consistent with the standards issued by the Access Board on January 9, 2017. The rule adopts a 17 to 19-inch low transfer height for MDE used in the supine, prone, side-lying, and the seated position, although DOJ indicated a willingness to consider future rulemaking . . .

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