[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 30, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
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From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7446]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 30, 1994]
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ARCHITECTURAL AND TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS COMPLIANCE BOARD
Americans With Disabilities Act Research Priorities for Fiscal
Years 1995 and 1996
AGENCY: Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.
SUMMARY: The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
(Access Board) announces its FY 1994 research plan and requests
comments and recommendations on research projects for FY 1995 and 1996.
DATES: Comments should be received by May 31, 1994. Comments received
after this date will be considered to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the Office of Technical and
Information Services, Architectural and Transportation Barriers
Compliance Board, 1331 F Street, NW., suite 1000, Washington, DC 20004-
1111. This document is available in accessible formats (cassette tape,
braille, large print, or computer disc) upon request. Copies may be
obtained from the Access Board by calling (202) 272-5434 (voice) or
(202) 272-5449 (TTY).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Yanchulis, Architectural and
Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, 1331 F Street, NW., suite
1000, Washington, DC 20004-1111. Telephone (202) 272-5434 extension 27
(Voice) or (202) 272-5449 (TTY).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Architectural and Transportation
Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) is an independent Federal
agency responsible for developing minimum guidelines and providing
technical assistance on accessibility. Although originally established
to develop and enforce accessibility guidelines for facilities
designed, constructed, or altered with certain Federal funds, the
Access Board's responsibilities were significantly expanded with
passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The ADA
prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in both the public
and private sector and affords persons with disabilities civil rights
protections. Under this law, the Access Board is responsible for
issuing minimum accessibility guidelines for places of public
accommodation and commercial facilities in the private sector, State
and local government facilities in the public sector, and
transportation facilities and vehicles. In the summer of 1991, the
Access Board published the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) for
Buildings and Facilities and the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for
Transportation Vehicles. See 36 CFR parts 1191 and 1192. The Access
Board is currently finalizing revisions to ADAAG for its extended
application to State and local government facilities.
The Access Board has conducted research into various aspects of
accessibility pertaining to architecture and design, communication, and
transportation in order to meet its responsibilities for developing
minimum design guidelines and providing technical assistance. Since
enactment of the ADA, this research has focused on the ADA
accessibility guidelines. The Access Board has undertaken projects to
develop technical assistance and training materials on these guidelines
and conducted research related to the development and implementation of
the guidelines. Projects completed or currently underway include
research on automated doors, access to assembly areas, access to
communication in transit facilities for persons with hearing or visual
impairments, communication for persons who are hard of hearing in
restaurants, assessment of the need for detectable warnings, and
evaluation of the specifications for ramps. The Access Board remains
committed to research that ensures the ADA accessibility guidelines are
consistent with technological advances, revisions to model codes and
standards, and the needs of persons with disabilities and that provides
the basis for the development of future guidelines.
FY 1994 Research Plan
This year's program includes the following research and technical
assistance projects:
ADAAG Manual
Through the training and technical assistance it provides, the
Access Board is aware of a strong continuing need for guidance on
ADAAG. This project will develop a comprehensive manual that clarifies
and interprets ADAAG for use by general and technical audiences.
Recommendations on a subscription service for updates to the manual
will also be developed as part of this project so that users of the
manual can be systematically apprised of future revisions and additions
to ADAAG. This project replaces a previously scheduled study on public
information for persons with cognitive disabilities. Originally, the
Access Board had decided to conduct research on symbols, signage, and
information that effectively conveys wayfinding information to
individuals with cognitive disabilities. The Transportation Research
Board (TRB) is currently undertaking a research project on this
subject. Consequently, the Access Board has deferred research in this
area pending the completion of the TRB study and will serve on its
advisory panel.
Design Requirements for Persons Using Powered Mobility Aids
Some of the provisions in ADAAG, such as those for clear floor
space, maneuvering clearances, and reach ranges, are based on
anthropometric data derived from studies involving persons using manual
wheelchairs. In view of the increasing popularity and variety of
powered mobility aids, this project will investigate design
specifications appropriate for persons using powered wheelchairs,
scooters, and other motorized mobility aids.
Detectable Warnings
A project to study the need for detectable warnings on curb ramps
and at hazardous vehicular areas was awarded in FY 1993 and is
currently underway. Based on the results of this study, which are due
this summer, additional research on the appropriate specifications for
such warnings may be undertaken as an optional task with FY 1994
research funds.
This notice does not solicit contract applications for these
projects. Requests for proposals for these projects (except the study
on detectable warnings) will be published in the Commerce Business
Daily this spring.
FY 1995 and 1996 Research Priorities
The Access Board intends to continue to focus on issues and
subjects related to the ADA accessibility guidelines in the conduct of
FY 1995 and 1996 research projects. This includes projects to study
issues and areas that are scheduled for future rulemaking; provide
information necessary in keeping the guidelines up to date; examine
issues of compliance with certain requirements; and develop technical
assistance materials that facilitate compliance with the guidelines.
Consistent with these objectives, and in recognition of likely
budgetary constraints, the Access Board has adopted the following
priorities for the consideration of FY 1995 and 1996 research projects:
First Priority
Research on areas that are scheduled for future rulemaking. The
Access Board anticipates issuing guidelines on recreation areas,
children's environments (a subject of research that has been
completed), and for ferries, excursion boats, and other forms of water
transportation. In addition, the Access Board is to undertake a process
for reviewing ADAAG in its entirety and for reconciling substantive
differences between the technical requirements of ADAAG and other
national codes and standards such as the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) A117.1-1992 standard, a national consensus standard
used by many States as an access code.
Second Priority
Research on existing provisions in the guidelines that lack
specificity, such as ``performance'' standards which may specify a
result without detailing acceptable alternatives for compliance.
Research on these provisions can examine and assess various methods for
compliance, including the study of new and emerging technologies
offering additional solutions.
Third Priority
Re-evaluation of existing specifications that are based on research
that is no longer representative of today's population of persons with
disabilities.
The Access Board seeks comment on this prioritization as the basis
for its FY 1995 and 1996 research agenda. Comments on other aspects of
accessibility research policy are also welcome.
With respect to specific research subjects, the Access Board is
considering projects on the following areas for FY 1995 and 1996. These
are not listed in any order of priority:
Access to Water Transportation
Identification and analysis of design solutions for providing
access to boats, ferries, and other water vessels that take into
account recognized constraints.
Swimming Pool Accessibility
Review and analysis of methods and products for providing access
into swimming pools in order to develop recommendations on requirements
for such access.
Emergency Communication Equipment
Identification and analysis of alternatives for providing emergency
communication equipment in elevators and areas of rescue assistance
that is accessible to persons with hearing impairments and persons with
visual impairments as required by ADAAG.
In addition, the Access Board anticipates using its FY 1995 and
1996 research budgets to fund additional projects related to the ADAAG
manual such as the development and distribution of future updates.
The Access Board seeks comment on these projects as priorities for
FY 1995 or 1996 and requests recommendations for other subjects of
research related to the ADA accessibility guidelines that should be
taken into consideration. These guidelines primarily contain new
construction design criteria for buildings, facilities and transit
vehicles and do not cover non-fixed elements or operational and
maintenance issues. Commenters are encouraged to take into
consideration the priorities the Access Board has adopted and to
explain the need for each recommended project or research subject.
In addition, the Access Board is interested in information on
research activities being planned or sponsored by other public and
private organizations. Of particular interest is accessibility research
related to design and architecture, products and elements such as
lifts, transportation, communication, and the population of persons
with disabilities, including demographic studies and anthropometric
data.
Dated: March 23, 1994.
Judith E. Heumann
Chairman, The U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance
Board.
[FR Doc. 94-7446 Filed 3-29-94; 8:45 am]
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