[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 12, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60608-60609]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22856]


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ARCHITECTURAL AND TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS COMPLIANCE BOARD


Courthouse Access Advisory Committee; Meeting

AGENCY: Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.

ACTION: Notice of appointment of advisory committee members and date of 
first meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board 
(Access Board) has decided to establish an advisory committee to advise 
the Board on issues related to the accessibility of courthouses covered 
by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Architectural 
Barriers Act of 1968. The Courthouse Access Advisory Committee 
(Committee) includes organizations which represent the interests 
affected by the accessibility guidelines for courthouses. This notice 
also announces the date, times and location of the first Committee 
meeting, which will be open to the public.

DATES: The first meeting of the Committee is scheduled for November 4, 
2004, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m.; and November 5, 2004 
beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 12 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Ronald Reagan Building, 
Hemisphere A, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Stewart, Office of General 
Counsel, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, 
1331 F Street, NW., suite 1000, Washington, DC, 20004-1111. Telephone 
number (202) 272-0042 (Voice); (202) 272-0082 (TTY). E-mail 
board.gov">stewart@access-board.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 60609]]

Availability of Copies and Electronic Access

    Single copies of this publication may be obtained at no cost by 
calling the Access Board's automated publications order line (202) 272-
0080, by pressing 2 on the telephone keypad, then pressing 1, and 
requesting publication S-51 (Courthouse Access Advisory Committee 
notice). Persons using a TTY should call (202) 272-0082. Please record 
a name, address, telephone number and request publication S-51. This 
document is available in alternate formats upon request. Persons who 
want a copy in an alternate format should specify the type of format 
(cassette tape, Braille, large print, or computer disk). This document 
is also available on the Board's Internet site (http://www.access-board.gov/caac.htm).

Courthouse Access Advisory Committee

    In February of this year, the Access Board announced that it will 
undertake outreach activities that highlight accessibility within a 
particular sphere or focus area. Outreach efforts will aim to increase 
awareness of a particular aspect of accessibility through partnerships 
with interested stakeholders and the development and distribution of 
information and guidance materials. The goal of this program is to 
increase the visibility of different facets of accessibility in a 
manner that supplements the Board's technical assistance and training 
programs, builds partnerships with other entities, improves compliance 
with access requirements, and showcases best practices for accessible 
design. In choosing access to courthouses as its first focus topic, the 
Board gave priority to an area that has been problematic or not well 
understood and where supplementary guidance is needed. Access to courts 
was highlighted in May when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that 
individuals may sue states under Title II of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act for failing to provide access to courts.\1\
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    \1\Tennessee vs. Lane, 158 L.Ed. 820 (2004)
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    As part of the outreach efforts on courthouse accessibility, the 
Access Board is establishing a Federal advisory committee to advise the 
Access Board on issues related to the accessibility of courthouses, 
particularly courtrooms, including best practices, design solutions, 
promotion of accessible features, educational opportunities, and the 
gathering of information on existing barriers, practices, 
recommendations, and guidelines.
    On June 25, 2004, the Access Board published a notice of intent to 
establish an advisory committee to advise the Board on issues related 
to the accessibility of courthouses covered by the Americans with 
Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968. 
(69 FR 35578) The notice identified the interests that are likely to be 
significantly affected by issues relating to courthouse accessibility: 
courthouse designers; judges and court administrators; Federal, State 
and local government agencies; standards-setting organizations; 
organizations representing the access needs of individuals with 
disabilities; and other persons affected by courthouse accessibility.
    Over 60 nominations were submitted. Over one third of the 
applications were from individuals or organizations representing 
persons with disabilities. Another third of the applications were from 
State and local governments; six applications were from Federal 
entities; several applications were from major code groups and the 
remainder were from architects, lift manufacturers and distributors, or 
others with an interest in courthouse accessibility. For the reasons 
stated in the notice of intent, the Access Board has determined that 
establishing the Courthouse Access Advisory Committee is necessary and 
in the public interest. The Access Board has appointed 31 members to 
the Committee from the following organizations:

Accessibility Equipment Manufacturers Association,
Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts,
American Institute of Architects,
Board of Governors, American Bar Association,
California Administrative Office of the Courts,
Committee on Persons with Disabilities in the Legal Profession, Arizona 
State Bar Association,
Conference of State Court Administrators,
Cook Co. Government Office of Capital Planning and Policy,
David Calvert, PA,
Disabilities Law Project,
General Services Administration,
HDR Architecture, Inc.,
Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum, Inc.,
International Code Council,
Michael Graves & Associates,
Montana Advocacy Program,
National Association for Court Management,
National Center for State Courts,
National Fire Protection Association,
New Hampshire Governor's Commission on Disability,
Ninth Circuit for the U.S. Courts,
Paralyzed Veterans of America,
Phillips Swager Associates,
Securities and Facilities Committee, United States Judicial Conference,
Self Help for Hard of Hearing,
T.L. Shield & Associates,
Tenth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida,
U.S. Department of Justice,
United Spinal Association,
Vertical Mobility Division, and
Western Law Center for Disability Rights.

    The Access Board regrets being unable to accommodate all requests 
for membership on the Committee. In order to keep the Committee to a 
size that can be effective, it was necessary to limit membership. It is 
also desirable to have balance among members of the Committee 
representing different interests, such as disability organizations and 
court administration. The membership of this Committee represents each 
of these vested interests.
    Committee meetings will be open to the public and interested 
persons can attend the meetings and communicate their views. Members of 
the public will have an opportunity to address the Committee on issues 
of interest to them and the Committee. Historically, advisory 
committees establish subcommittees to address specific issues. Members 
of groups or individuals who are not members of the Committee may have 
an opportunity to participate on these subcommittees. The Access Board 
believes that participation of this kind can be very valuable for the 
advisory committee process.
    The meeting will be held at a site accessible to individuals with 
disabilities. Real-time captioning will be provided. Individuals who 
require sign language interpreters should contact Elizabeth Stewart by 
October 22, 2004. Decisions with respect to future meetings will be 
made at the first meeting. Notices of future meetings will be published 
the Federal Register.

Lawrence W. Roffee,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 04-22856 Filed 10-8-04; 8:45 am]
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