[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 30, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
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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