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Notice

The Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) rulemaking has concluded. The PROWAG final rule has been published in the Federal Register. Please visit the Access Board’s PROWAG page for the guidelines.

U.S. Access Board to Host Virtual Event on Designing for Inclusion: Architectural Trends and Social Justice

October 14, 2021

The U.S. Access Board will host a virtual public event on architectural trends and social justice on November 10 from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. (ET). The event will feature presentations by Board Members Karen Braitmayer and Deborah Ryan who will provide an accessibility review of current trends in architectural design, including those that have emerged in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They will highlight aspects of those trends that advance equity and inclusion and discuss design alternatives to trends that are not fully accessible to all. Members of the public will be able to pose questions during the event.

Karen Braitmayer, FAIA is the founder and managing principal of Studio Pacifica, an accessibility consulting firm in Seattle. She is a member of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and in 2019 was awarded the AIA’s Whitney M. Young Jr. award in recognition of her leadership in civil rights for people with disabilities, social sustainability, public policy and universal design. In addition, Braitmayer was named 2019 Person of the Year by New Mobility Magazine. Braitmayer has been a public member of the Access Board since her presidential appointment in 2010.

Deborah Ryan of Boston, Massachusetts is head of Deborah A. Ryan & Associates, an accessibility consulting firm that specializes in compliance with design requirements issued under Massachusetts law and federal laws such as the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Fair Housing Act. As a consultant, she is active in accessibility surveys, plan reviews, technical assistance, training, and guidance on complaint resolution. Before creating her firm in 2002, Ryan served for over 25 years at the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB), including 15 years as its executive director. Ryan has been a public member of the Access Board since her presidential appointment in 2011.

The event is free, but registration is required. For further information on registration, visit the Access Board’s website or contact Rose Marie Bunales at events@access-board.gov. The event will include video remote interpreting (VRI) and real-time captioning. Presentation materials are available in PDF (6MB) format.

Designing for Inclusion: Architectural Trends and Social Justice
November 10, 2021, 2:30 – 4:00 pm (ET)
Registration (free): www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register
Contact: Rose Marie Bunales at events@access-board.gov

Prior to the event, the Board will hold at its regular business meeting at 1:00 ET, which is also open to the public to attend:

Meeting of the U.S. Access Board
November 10, 2021, 1:00 – 2:00 pm (ET)
Meeting link: ZoomGov Platform (registration not required)