U.S. Access Board Updates Questions and Answers

Slide 1

U.S. Access Board Updates Questions and Answers

ADA In Focus Virginia

May 10th, 2016

Slide 2

Intro and Updates

· Overview of Access Board

· Rulemaking in Development

· Recently Complete Rules

· Technical Assistance

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Overview of the Access Board

[photograph of Access Board meeting]

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Overview of the Access Board

· 25 members

o 13 public members appointed by the President for four year terms

o 12 Federal members from various agencies

· Board meets every other month

· Budget: $7.548 million (FY 2015)

· Staff of 28 people

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Access Board Programs

· Guidelines and standards development:

o Architectural Barriers Act (1968)

o Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

o Telecommunications Act (1996)

o Rehabilitation Act Amendments (1998)

o Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010)

· Technical assistance and training

· Research

· ABA enforcement

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Technical Assistance

· Publications and guides

· Online tutorials

· Technical assistance via phone, email, and fax

[images of Access Board web page and Access Board publication]

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Training

· In-person sessions on all guidelines and standards tailored to each audience

· Monthly webinars addressing specific topics

[photograph of training session]

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Research

Supports development of guidelines and guidance materials

[photographs of outdoor developed area, 2 people working and diagram from manual]

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ABA Enforcement

· Applies to facilities designed, built, altered or leased with Federal funds

o Federal buildings

o Non-Federal buildings

· Complaint process

· On-line form

· About 75 cases opened each year

[image of Architectural Barriers Act publication]

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Rulemaking in Development

1. Passenger Vessels

2. Public Rights-of-Way

3. Transportation Vehicles

4. Information and Communications Technology

5. Medical Diagnostic Equipment

6. Shared Use Paths

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Public Rights-of-Way

New guidelines will cover:

· Sidewalks

· Crossings

· Curb ramps and detectable warnings

· Pedestrian signals

· On-street parking

· Roundabouts

· Next step – Final Rule

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Information and Communications Technology

Joint update of:

· Section 508 standards for electronic and information technology (procured by Federal agencies)

· Section 255 guidelines for telecommunications products

· Next step – Proposed Rule

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“ICT”- Information and Communications Technology

[images of computer, electronic kiosk, telephone, web page, and computer screen]

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Medical Diagnostic Equipment

· Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act gave the Board authority to set standards for medical diagnostic equipment

· Covers examination tables, examination chairs, weight scales, mammography equipment, x-ray machines

· Next step – Final Rule

[drawing of man transferring from gurney to wheelchair]

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Recently Completed Rules

1. Outdoor Developed Areas

2. Emergency Transportable Housing

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Outdoor Developed Areas

ABA Standards covering:

· Picnic and camping areas

· Trails

· Beach access routes

[photograph of many people in an outdoor area, some are in wheelchairs or scooters]

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Emergency Transportable Housing

· Housing trailers provided by government in disasters and emergencies

[photograph of emergency housing trailers]

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Guidance on Prescription Drug Container Labels

Authorized by the “Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act”

Best practice – awareness campaign by National Council on Disability

[photo of prescription drug bottle]

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Prescription Drug Labels

· Guidance on making prescription drug container labels accessible to people who are blind, have low vision, or who are elderly

· Working Group on Accessible Prescription Drug Container Labels

[photo of audio device for prescription drugs and prescription drug label printed in Braille]

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Technical Assistance

Online Guides:

Chapter 1 – Application

Chapter 2 – Scoping

Chapter 3 - Building Blocks

Chapter 4 - Accessible Route

[images of Access Board technical assistance documents]

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· ADA and ABA

· Animations

· PDF Downloads

[screenshot of Access Board web page]

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Guides on the ADA and ABA Standards

Animations: maneuvering, entrances, & doors, toilet & bathing facilities, and protruding objects

[images of Access Board animations]

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Access Board animation doors

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Educate About Accessibility

· Website (www.access-board.gov)

· News subscriptions

· Sign-up for Access Currents newsletter

· Follow Access Board on Twitter

[screenshot of Access Board web page]

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Question and Answer Session

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U.S. Access Board

(800) 872-2253 (voice)

(800) 993-2822 (TTY)

E-mail: