The U.S. Access Board has released for public comment
draft guidelinesdeveloped under the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA)to cover pedestrian access
to sidewalks and streets, including crosswalks, curb ramps, street furnishings,
parking, and other components of public rights-of-way.
The new provisions would supplement the Access Board's
ADA and ABA accessibility guidelines, which do not currently provide guidance
specifically tailored to public rights-of-way. Among the physical and
sensory considerations and constraints the draft guidelines address are
access for blind pedestrians at street crossings and wheelchair access
to on-street parking.
The Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory Committee,
chartered by the Access Board and on whose recommendations the guidelines
are based, included representatives from disability organizations, public
works departments, transportation and traffic engineering groups, design
professionals and civil engineers, government agencies, and standards-setting
bodies.
The draft guidelines are available for public comment
until October 28, 2002. The Access Board will hold a public meeting on
the guidelines in Portland, Ore., on October 8, 2002.
The AIA Government Affairs team is currently reviewing
the guidelines draft. If you have comments, please email the AIA national
component.
Copyright 2002 The American Institute of Architects.
All rights reserved.
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