Access Board News

Phil Bratta has been appointed Public Affairs Specialist for the U.S. Access Board in the Office of Executive Director (OED). In this role, Bratta will design, plan, and direct the Board’s public affairs program that includes . . .

The U.S. Access Board released a direct final rule related to its standards for accessible medical diagnostic equipment (MDE) covered by Section 510 of the Rehabilitation Act. The MDE Standards, originally published in 2017, established minimum technical criteria to ensure . . .

Yesterday, President Joe Biden appointed eight new members to the U.S. Access Board. He also reappointed one incumbent Board member, Gregory S. Fehribach who is currently the Board’s Chair . . .

The U.S. Access Board seeks a Supervisory Technical Services Officer (GS 15) to serve in its Office of Technical and Information Services. Current or former federal employees who qualify as . . .

The U.S. Access Board hosted the virtual public event “Equity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities” yesterday. The event featured panel presentations on standards, research, and resources related to healthcare accessibility, including inclusive medical equipment, healthcare facility design, and information technology, and communication . . .

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 . . .