Board Teams with Regional ADA Centers to Conduct Webinar Series November 2, 2009

The Access Board will conduct a series of webinars and audio conferences on different topics of accessibility over the coming year in cooperation with the national network of regional ADA Centers, also known as the Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs). The series will cover a variety of topics on accessibility pertaining to the built environment, information and communication technologies, and transportation. Sessions are planned on Board guidelines and standards, including the updated ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines and the Section 508 Standards, as well as the subjects of Board rulemaking, such as accessible outdoor developed areas and public rights-of-ways. In addition, the Board will devote some webinars to subject areas where guidance is often requested or compliance is problematic, such as toilet and bathing facilities and accessible routes, and to current topics of interest, including guidance on achieving accessibility in stimulus projects funded by the "Recovery Act." The sessions will be conducted on a monthly basis with most scheduled for 90 minutes.

"The Board is eager to use the web to expand its training services and to reach a wider audience," noted Peggy Greenwell, the Board's training coordinator. "Webinars and audio conferences provide an exceptionally cost-effective and convenient alternative to on-site training, and the Board is pleased to partner with the network of regional ADA Centers, including the Great Lakes ADA Center, a leader in ADA distance learning, to make the series possible." The Great Lakes regional DBTAC at the University of Illinois in Chicago, one of ten regional information centers on the ADA supported with Federal grants, will host the webinars and audio conferences and provide administrative and logistical support. The Board regularly provides training to various audiences at different conferences and events across the country, and the upcoming webinars will greatly supplement its current program.

The first webinar, to be held December 3rd from 2:30 to 4:00 (ET), will cover draft final guidelines for outdoor developed areas, including trails, picnic and camping facilities, and beach access routes. The next webinar will provide an overview of the work of the Board and is scheduled for January 7th. Webinar attendees will be able to earn continuing education credits. General attendance is free, but a $25 fee will be charged by the DBTAC for processing continuing education credits. The subjects and schedule for subsequent webinars have not been finalized. The Board welcomes suggestions from the public for desired webinar topics. Questions or requested webinar subjects should be directed to Peggy Greenwell at training@access-board.gov, (202) 272-0017 (v), or (202) 272-0082 (TTY).