Access Board News

Christopher Kuczynski has been appointed General Counsel for the U.S. Access Board. He succeeds Gretchen Jacobs who retired at the end of 2021. In this role, Kuczynski will guide the Board's legal affairs and lead enforcement efforts under the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). The Board's Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal expertise and counsel to the Board and staff regarding . . .

The U.S. Access Board has reopened its public comment period on advisory guidelines for aircraft onboard wheelchairs until January 17, 2022. As indicated in a published notice, the Board seeks information on . . .

On December 15, 2021, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the installation of new sloped walkways for accessible entry on the National Mall side of the building. On behalf of the U.S. Access Board, Training Coordinator Bill Botten . . .

People with disabilities face significant barriers to accessing primary and preventative healthcare. It is vital for medical care facilities and equipment, such as exam rooms and tables, diagnostic instruments and machines, and patient bedrooms and bathrooms, to be fully accessible to people with disabilities. The U.S. Access Board will host a virtual public event on . . .

Gretchen Jacobs, the U.S. Access Board’s General Counsel, plans to retire at the end of this year. As General Counsel, she guided the Board’s legal affairs and led enforcement efforts under the Architectural Barriers Act. Jacobs was also instrumental in . . .

The U.S. Access Board investigated 38 cases under the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) of 1968 that were resolved through corrective action in FY 2021. The ABA requires access to buildings or facilities that were designed, built, or altered with . . .

The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Access Board will hold a virtual public meeting on December 16 to collect information on wheelchairs that are specifically designed for use on aircraft during flights. The agencies will use this information to . . .

The U.S. Access Board seeks a Public Affairs Specialist (GS 12-13) to serve in its Office of the Executive Director. Current or former federal employees who qualify as . . .

The U.S. Access Board hosted the virtual public event “Designing for Inclusion: Architectural Trends and Social Justice” last week on November 10. Board Member Karen Braitmayer reviewed current trends in architectural design for toilet rooms, lavatories, . . .

During National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), U.S. Access Board staff presented at conferences, forums, and events to advance accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. Board staff presented on various topics, such as the President’s Executive Orders, emerging technology and trends, information and communication technology resources, and the guidelines and standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Architectural Barriers Act of 1973 (ABA), and . . .