U.S. Access Board Releases Training Videos on Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines
September 15, 2023
The U.S. Access Board continues to provide resources and training on the recently published final rule on public right-of-way accessibility guidelines by releasing five new videos on the Board’s YouTube Channel. These videos supplement the Board’s free technical assistance on the guidelines via . . .
Notable Changes in Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines Final Rule
September 01, 2023
In 2011, the U.S. Access Board published proposed accessibility guidelines for pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way and revised them in 2013 to include shared use paths. After reviewing hundreds of public comments, the Board issued the final rule on accessibility guidelines for pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way on August 8, 2023. Some of the notable changes to the final rule from the versions proposed are . . .
U.S. Access Board Staff Present on Designing Accessible Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
August 24, 2023
The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation hosted the webinar “Designing for Accessible EV Charging Stations,” and the recording is publicly available. The webinar included a presentation by U.S. Access Board Transportation Systems Engineer Juliet Shoultz who discussed . . .
Department of Justice Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Rule to Strengthen Web and Mobile App Access for People with Disabilities
August 15, 2023
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that aims to improve web and mobile applications (apps) access for people with disabilities and clarify how public entities, primarily state and local governments, can meet their existing ADA obligations as many of their activities shift online. The public can submit comments through October 3, 2023. . . .
U.S. Access Board Celebrates 55th Anniversary of the Architectural Barriers Act
August 11, 2023
On August 12, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) into law at his ranch in Stonewall, Texas, and remarked the next day “it is humane legislation—which had the unanimous support of both Houses of Congress. I am pleased and proud to sign it into law.” Tomorrow marks the 55th anniversary of the ABA, one of the earliest measures by Congress to address access to the built environment by requiring . . .
U.S. Access Board Mourns Passing of Former Executive Director Larry Roffee
August 10, 2023
With deep sorrow, the U.S. Access Board announces the passing of former Executive Director Larry Roffee. He was appointed Executive Director of the Board in November 1988 and held the position for 20 years before retiring from federal service in August 2008. Mr. Roffee served in the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant in Vietnam in 1969 and 1970 and was wounded in action in May 1970. On August 9, 2023, Roffee passed peacefully in Billings, Montana while . . .
President Biden Appoints Olivia Mae M. Asuncion to U.S. Access Board
August 09, 2023
President Joe Biden has appointed Olivia Mae M. Asuncion, AIA, as a Public Member to the U.S. Access Board. Asuncion succeeds Board Public Member Karen Braitmayer, who had been appointed by President Barack Obama and served as Board Chair and Vice-Chair in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Asuncion brings a breadth of knowledge in the architecture field and . . .
U.S. Access Board Issues Final Rule on Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines
August 08, 2023
Pedestrians with disabilities throughout the United States continue to face major challenges in travel because many sidewalks, crosswalks, and other pedestrian facilities are inaccessible. Today, the U.S. Access Board addressed this inequity by issuing a final rule on accessibility guidelines for pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way. These guidelines . . .
U.S. Access Board Extends Public Comment Period on Final Specification for Low Transfer Surface Height of Medical Diagnostic Equipment
August 02, 2023
The U.S. Access Board has extended its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on standards for accessible medical diagnostic equipment (MDE) for 30 days. The NPRM addresses one provision on the low transfer surface height for certain types of MDE used by patients in a supine, prone, side-lying, or seated position. Public comments for the NPRM are due by August 31, 2023. The MDE Accessibility Standards require . . .
U.S. Department of Transportation Finalizes Rule on Accessible Airline Lavatories for Wheelchair Users
July 27, 2023
On the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a new rule which requires airline lavatories to be more accessible. This rulemaking, authorized by the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), would require airlines to make lavatories . . .