Access Board News

Throughout the month of August, the U.S. Access Board held a series of public hearings on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on people with disabilities. On August 8, two hearings (in the morning and afternoon) were held to hear from members of the disability community. Additionally, a panel of speakers delivered remarks on the risks, benefits, and potential of artificial intelligence with respect to accessibility . . .

On August 9, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a final rule on the accessibility of medical diagnostic equipment (MDE) under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This final rule establishes standards for MDE used by state and local government entities that are consistent with the standards issued by the Access Board on January 9, 2017. The rule adopts a 17 to 19-inch low transfer height for MDE used in the supine, prone, side-lying, and the seated position, although DOJ indicated a willingness to consider future rulemaking . . .

On July 25, the U.S. Access board issued a final rule specifying a low transfer height of 17 inches for medical diagnostic equipment (MDE) used in the supine, prone, side-lying, and the seated position. The rule removes the sunset provisions in the Board's existing 2017 accessibility standards for MDE, which allowed for a low transfer height of between 17 and 19 inches. The final rule, which amends 36 CFR part 1195, is effective September 23, 2024 . . .

At its July meeting, the U.S. Access Board elected Katy Kale as its new Chair and Elver Ariza-Silva as its new Vice-Chair. Kale is the Deputy Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) under the Biden-Harris Administration. Ariza-Silva is a disability community advocate based out of the District of Columbia. The Board approved both choices unanimously . . .

As part of the Developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Equity, Access & Inclusion for All Series, the Access Board is holding public hearings with members of the disability community, Federal Agency AI leaders, and AI practitioners. This series stems from the Board’s Memorandum of Understanding with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) . . .

On July 3, the General Services Administration (GSA) issued a final rule adopting the Access Board’s Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) as part of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards (ABAAS). The Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) is a civil rights law that requires federally constructed or leased facilities, and certain facilities constructed or leased with federal funds, to be accessible . . .

With great sadness, the U.S. Access Board mourns the passing of former Board Member and longtime disability advocate, Jan Tuck. Appointed by President George W. Bush in 2002, Tuck served as Chair of the Board twice during her term. Her remarkable legacy of disability advocacy was evident in her service on the Passenger Vessels Access Advisory Committee, where she . . .

All are welcome to attend the public session of the next meeting of the U.S. Access Board, which will be open to the public and take place on July 24 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. (ET). The agenda for the session includes election of officers, brief reports from standing Board committees and the Executive Director, federal agency updates, and a presentation by nine-time Paralympian Candace Cable . . .

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can increase accessibility, but without appropriate efforts, it can also create barriers for people with disabilities. To address equity and accessibility, the Access Board was tasked with several actions in the Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. The Board signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in May of 2024 . . .

The U.S. Access Board seeks a Supervisory IT Program Manager GS-2210-15. A successful candidate will oversee and coordinate the Access Board's Information Technology (IT) program, policies, and projects. They will be responsible for policy, planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of all IT management, strategic plans, policy, and budget activities . . .