US Access Board

The US Access Board is a federal agency that plays a leading role in the creation of accessibility standards. The Access Board describes itself like this on its website:

The Access Board is an independent federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities through leadership in accessible design and the development of accessibility guidelines and standards. Created in 1973 to ensure access to federally funded facilities, the Board is now a leading source of information on accessible design. …The Board is structured to function as a coordinating body among federal agencies and to directly represent the public, particularly people with disabilities. Twelve of its members are representatives from most of the federal departments. Thirteen others are members of the public appointed by the President, a majority of whom must have a disability.

Related Resources

Articles (6) Blogs (3) News (39) Webinars (2)

Articles

Architectural Barriers Act (ABA)
The Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) mandates that buildings and facilities that are designed, built...
The ADA and Parking
Accessible parking is a common feature in parking lots—and a common topic in questions posed on the...
Rehabilitation Act
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 has several sections that mandate civil rights for people with disabi...
About Recreation Accessibility
ADA regulations about access to outdoor recreation for people with disabilities: background explaine...
About the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
What's in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design? How do these standards relate to the America...

Blogs

“Al Fresco” Dining and the ADA
Online on the Job: Employers and Web Access
There is a growing awareness of the need for web sites to be accessible.
ADA Anniversary: Focus on Accessible Outdoor Recreation
Read this blog post to learn how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) relates to recreation.

News

U.S. Access Board Issues Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment
01/18/2017- The U.S. Access Board has issued new accessibility standards for medical diagnostic equipment (MDE) under section 510 of the Rehabilitation Act. The standards provide design criteria for exa...
U.S. Access Board Issues Guidance on the International Symbol of Accessibility
04/19/2017- The Access Board has released guidance on the International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA) to address questions that have arisen on the use of alternative symbols. Some cities and states have adopted a...
Access Board to Assess Feasibility of Wheelchair Restraint Systems on Aircraft
01/15/2020- The inability to use one's wheelchair on airplanes makes air travel very difficult, if not impossible, for many people with disabilities. It requires multiple transfers between boarding chairs and air...
U.S. Access Board Releases Animation on Sales and Service Counters
08/15/2018- The U.S. Access Board has released an animation on accessible sales and service counters as part of its online guide to standards issued under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Archite...
Animation on Signs Now Available from the U.S. Access Board
02/15/2017- A new animation on accessible signage is now available from the U.S. Access Board as part of its online guide to standards issued under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Arch...

Webinars

Overview of the Proposed Public Rights of Way Accessibility Guidelines
04/13/2016- This webinar will review the U.S. Access Board’s proposed guidelines that address conditions and constraints that are unique to public rights-of-way, including pedestrian access to sidewalks and...
Overview of the Proposed Standards for Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment
12/09/2015- This webinar will review the proposed accessibility standards developed by the U.S. Access Board for equipment used in medical settings by health care providers for diagnostic purposes, including: exa...