Learn more about the work of the U.S. Access Board, its guidelines and standards, and accessible design through this series of monthly webinars and audio conferences.  Sessions also provide an opportunity to earn continuing education credits (CEUs).  General attendance is free, but a $25 fee will be charged by DBTAC for processing CEUs.

Upcoming sessions include:

• Accessible Airport Terminals (November 4, 2010 2:30 - 4:00pm ET)
• Accessible Play Areas (December 2, 2010 2:30 - 4:00pm ET)
• Accessible Residential Facilities (January 6, 2011 2:30 - 4:00pm ET)
• Accessible Transient Lodging (February 3, 2011 2:30 - 4:00pm ET)

More information about each session and registration can be found at http://www.access-board.gov/webinars.htm

To be consistent with the DOJ's 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, DCAB adopted the 2004 ADAAG with an effective date of January 1, 2011.  DCAB simultaneously rescinded the 1991 ADAAG, 1998 ADAAG for Building Elements Designed for Children's Use, 1998 ADAAG for State and Local Government Facilities, and the Residential Housing and Accessibility Guidelines, because provisions for these types of facilities and elements have been incorporated into the 2004 ADAAG.

______________________________________________________________

All plans and specifications for the construction of public buildings,

facilities, and sites submitted to DCAB on or after January 1, 2011

will be reviewed for compliance with the 2004 ADAAG.

______________________________________________________________

Plans and specifications submitted to DCAB before January 1, 2011 may be reviewed to the 2004 ADAAG if the department managing the project submits a written request.  Plans and specifications submitted to DCAB on or after January 1, 2011 may be reviewed to the 1991 ADAAG if the department managing the project submits a written request that includes a statement that construction will start before March 15, 2012.

The 2004 ADAAG can be downloaded from the U.S. Access Board's web site at http://www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/final.htm.

For more information feel free to contact Curtis Motoyama, Facility Access Coordinator, by email at curtis.motoyama@doh.hawaii.gov or phone at 586-8121.

Karen Braitmayer & Charles Fleming, Former DCAB Board Chairperson at the 2008 Disability Access Conference

President Barack Obama recently appointed Karen L. Braitmayer, FAIA, of Seattle as a member of the U.S. Access Board.

Many of you may remember Ms. Braitmayer who was our keynote and session speaker at the 2008 Disability Access Conference.  She spoke on the importance of integrating design and accessibility to create successful buildings using aesthetic and creative solutions.

Ms. Braitmayer is a registered architect and principal with Studio Pacifica, Ltd., an architectural consulting firm focused on accessibility and accessible design. She has provided consultation to state agencies, local governments, school districts, and other architects, on accessibility under various laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act, and on compliance with state codes in housing, commercial, retail, institutional and educational projects. Ms. Braitmayer served as a member of the Washington State Building Code Council from 1994 to 2001 and remains active in the development and update of Washington State's accessibility code.

More information about the U.S. Access Board is available at http://www.access-board.gov/about.htm.

 

HUD's Accessibility FIRST Program is Temporarily Suspended
 

 Beginning October 1, 2010, all services associated with HUD's Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST Program will be temporarily suspended while HUD negotiates a new contract to continue the program.  During the suspension, the Program's telephone information line, 888-341-7781, will not be staffed.

You may refer to the web site for helpful information at http://www.fairhousingfirst.org  (Also beginning October 1, 2010, Deloitte Consulting will no longer be a point of contact for the Program, as its contract with HUD is expiring.  Please check back periodically for updates on the Program and an expected date for the resumption of Program services.) 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently entered into a settlement agreement with the City of Muskegon, MI, City of Fort Myers, FL, and City of Newport, RI under title II of the ADA.  The DOJ initiated a compliance review of these cities, as part of Project Civic Access, which is a DOJ initiative to ensure greater access for people with disabilities to local government programs, services, activities, and facilities.

Under the agreement, the cities will:

• Make parking, routes into the buildings, entrances, public telephones, restrooms, service counters, and drinking fountains accessible to people with disabilities.
• Install signs at any inaccessible entrance to a facility directing users to an accessible entrance or to information about other accessible facilities.
• Implement a plan to ensure the accessibility of sidewalks, curb ramps, pedestrian crossings, and transportation stops throughout the city.
  

The text of the settlement agreement for each city specifies all steps to be taken, the time frames for taking them, and will remain in effect for three years from or until the parties agree that all actions required by the agreement have been completed, whichever is later.

For further information regarding the settlement agreements visit the following links:

http://www.ada.gov/muskegon_pca/muskegon_sa.htm

http://www.ada.gov/ft_myers_pca/fort_myers_sa.htm

http://www.ada.gov/newport_pca/newport_sa.htm

Q:  Which ADA Standards are to be followed?

A:  The answer with links to the standards can be found at