The U.S. Department of Justice issued proposals Tuesday to adopt new design standards for facilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) based on revised guidelines previously issued by the U.S. Access Board. Under the ADA, the department is responsible for maintaining standards for new construction and alterations consistent with the board’s guidelines.
The department’s standards apply to the construction and alteration of all facilities covered by the ADA, except transportation facilities, which are subject to standards maintained by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The new standards would apply to state and local government facilities subject to Title II of the ADA and to places of public accommodation and commercial facilities covered by Title III of the law. The department issued separate notices under each title.
The notices also address issues relating to the application of the new standards, including effective dates. Through these proposals, the department also is revisiting or supplementing other sections of its regulations, which have changed little since their original publication in 1991.
The department has proposed new or revised provisions concerning:
• removal of barriers in existing facilities
• accommodation of service animals
• maintenance of accessible features
• policies and practices governing various services.
The notices highlight specific issues in these and other areas where the department seeks input from the public. They are available through the online edition of the Federal Register.
Comments are due Aug. 18, 2008. For more information, call (202) 307-0663 or visit the department’s Web site.
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