[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 14, 1996)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 5723] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-3315] ======================================================================== Proposed Rules Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 31 / Wednesday, February 14, 1996 / Proposed Rules [[Page 5723]] ARCHITECTURAL AND TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS COMPLIANCE BOARD 36 CFR Parts 1190 and 1191 Accessibility Guidelines for Play Facilities AGENCY: Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board. ACTION: Establishment of regulatory negotiation committee and first committee meeting. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) has decided to establish a regulatory negotiation committee to develop a proposed rule on accessibility guidelines for newly constructed and altered play facilities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act. The regulatory negotiation committee will be composed of organizations who represent the interests affected by the accessibility guidelines for play facilities. This document also announces the times and location of the first meeting of the regulatory negotiation committee. DATES: The first meeting of the regulatory negotiation committee is scheduled for March 5, 6 and 7, 1996, beginning at 9:00 a.m. each day. The meeting will end at 4:30 p.m. on March 5 and 6, 1996 and at 2:00 p.m. on March 7, 1996. ADDRESSES: The first meeting of the regulatory negotiation committee will be held at the Embassy Suites, 1250 22nd Street NW., Washington, DC. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Greenwell, Office of Technical and Information Services, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, 1331 F Street, NW., suite 1000, Washington, DC. 20004-1111. Telephone number (202) 272-5434 extension 34 (Voice); (202) 272-5449 (TTY). This document is available in alternate formats (cassette tape, braille, large print, or computer disc) upon request. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 22, 1995, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) published a notice of intent to establish a regulatory negotiation committee to develop a proposed rule on accessibility guidelines for newly constructed and altered play facilities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act. 60 FR 66538 (December 22, 1995). The notice identified the interests that are likely to be significantly affected by the accessibility guidelines: manufacturers and designers of play facilities; State and local governments; schools, parks, and day care centers; individuals with disabilities; voluntary standard groups; and the Federal government. The notice proposed a list of 17 organizations to represent these interests on the regulatory negotiation committee. Comments were requested on the proposal to establish the regulatory negotiation committee and the proposed committee membership. Eighteen comments were received in response to the notice. All the commenters supported the establishment of the regulatory negotiation committee. The comments identified two additional interests that are likely to be significantly affected by the accessibility guidelines: parents and playground surface manufacturers. The National Parent- Teacher Association and the ASTM 1 Playground Surfaces Task Group (F8.52.01) will be added as members to the regulatory negotiation committee to represent these interests. \1\ American Society for Testing and Materials. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following 19 organizations will comprise the regulatory negotiation committee: Access Board ASTM \1\ Playground Surfaces Task Group (F8.52.01) ASTM \1\ Public Playground Committee (F15.29) ASTM \1\ Soft Contained Play Committee (F15.36) American Society of Landscape Architects The Council for Exceptional Children International City/County Management Association National Association of Counties National Association of Elementary School Principals National Child Care Association National Council on Independent Living National Easter Seal Society National League of Cities National Parent-Teacher Association National Recreation and Park Association Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association Spina Bifida Association of America TASH 2 \2\ The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps --------------------------------------------------------------------------- United Cerebral Palsy Association Several commenters indicated that they wanted to present information to the regulatory negotiation committee on playground surfaces, soft contained play facilities, and other topics. The Access Board agrees that making such information available to the regulatory negotiation committee will greatly assist its work and will recommend that the committee hold informational meetings where organizations and individuals can present information to the committee. The first meeting of the regulatory negotiation committee will be held in Washington, DC on March 5, 6 and 7, 1996. The times and location of the meeting are listed at the beginning of this notice. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Individuals with hearing impairments who require sign language interpreters should contact Peggy Greenwell by February 26, 1996, by calling (202) 272-5434 extension 34 (voice) or (202) 272-5449 (TTY). Issued on February 8, 1996. John H. Catlin, Chairman, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board. [FR Doc. 96-3315 Filed 2-13-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8150-01-P