Board to Hold Forums During Week of ADA Anniversary Events

Board to Hold Forums During Week of ADA Anniversary Events June 27, 2005

President George H.W. Bush signs the ADA into law in the presence of Evan Kemp, Chairman, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Justin Dart, Chairman, President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, the Rev. Harold Wilke, and Sandra Swift Parrino, Chairperson, National Council on Disability. Among a number of programs and receptions planned by various organizations to mark the 15th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26th, the Access Board will hold several public forums on its work and goals under the ADA. These events will allow the public to provide input on shaping a new agenda and on specific Board initiatives. The meetings, which are free and open to the public, will be held at the Marriott at Metro Center in downtown D.C.

Public Hearing on Passenger Vessels (July 25th 10:00 – 12:00)
The Board will hold a public hearing on access to passenger vessels on the morning of July 25th. The public is invited to provide comment on materials the Board released in November on its rulemaking for access to passenger vessels, including draft guidelines for large vessels, such as cruise ships, and a notice outlining several different options on addressing access to smaller vessels, such as water taxis and excursion boats. This event follows similar hearings held in D.C. last January and in Los Angeles at the end of June. For further information, contact Paul Beatty at (202) 272-0012 (v), (202) 272-0082 (TTY), or pvag@access-board.gov (e-mail).

Meeting on Promoting Education on Accessible Design (July 25th 1:30 – 4:30)
An information meeting will be held later on the same day on a new Board initiative to promote accessibility in the education of architects, planners, and engineers. The Board seeks recommendations on ways this goal can be advanced through education curricula, design competitions, outreach to colleges, universities, and accrediting organizations, and other means. For further information on this event, contact Jim Pecht at (202) 272-0021 (v), (202) 272-0082 (TTY), or pecht@access-board.gov (e-mail).

Forum on Board Agenda and Services (July 26th 9:30 – 11:00)
The Board will hold a public forum on its work developing and maintaining guidelines, sponsoring research, and providing information and services through its website. This forum will provide an opportunity for the public to provide input on the Board’s agenda for rulemaking, research, technical assistance, and training. Recommendations are sought on topics or issues that the Board should address through its work writing guidelines for accessible design, its research program, or other means, such as information meetings. The Board also seeks recommendations on new guidance and training materials and how this information and related services can be delivered most effectively to its various audiences, particularly through its website. For further information, contact Kathy Roy Johnson at (202) 272-0041 (v), (202) 272-0082 (TTY), or johnson@access-board.gov (e-mail).

This latter event is part of a program of seminars organized by the National Council on Disability (NCD) in cooperation with various Federal agencies. The full program, “The ADA: 15 Years of Making a Difference,” includes an opening plenary session, five other ADA-related workshops in addition to the Board’s session, and a closing session. For information on the full program, contact the NCD at (202) 272-2004 (v) or (202) 272-2074 (TTY).

The Marriott at Metro Center, where these meetings will be held, is located at 775 12th Street, N.W. in Washington, D.C.