as posted from the May/ June 2013 U.S. Access Board newsletter...
The Access Board has released for public comment proposed guidelines for passenger vessels. Developed under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the guidelines provide design criteria for large vessels when newly constructed or altered to ensure that they are accessible to people with disabilities. The guidelines address various features of vessel accessibility and include provisions for onboard routes, vertical access between decks, doorways and coamings, toilet rooms, guest rooms, alarm systems, and other spaces and elements used by passengers.
“The Board is pleased to unveil proposed guidelines that will ensure access to vessels for passengers with disabilities,” states Access Board Chair Karen L. Braitmayer, FAIA. “We know from experience that barriers to accessibility are often due to a lack of clear and detailed design guidance, and this rule will fill a long-standing gap in making passenger vessels accessible to all.”
As proposed, the guidelines would apply to cruise ships and other vessels that carry over 150 passengers or at least 50 overnight passengers. They also cover ferries designed to carry 100 or more passengers and tenders allowed to carry 60 or more passengers. The Board is not proposing requirements for smaller vessels due to design challenges, space constraints, and other factors. The guidelines would apply to newly built or altered vessels.
In laying the groundwork for this effort, the Board conducted research on the feasibility and impacts of integrating accessibility into the design of vessels. This information includes case studies on vessels of various types and sizes, examination of design solutions to identified design and engineering constraints, and cost and impact analyses. The Board previously released advance drafts of the guidelines for comment which were based on recommendations from two advisory panels organized by the Board, the Passenger Vessel Access Advisory Committee and the Passenger Vessels Emergency Alarms Advisory Committee.
The Board is developing these guidelines under the ADA, which requires access to transportation and other services and to places of public accommodation. Under the law, the Board is responsible for developing minimum guidelines covering access to transportation systems and to the built environment. The vessel guidelines, once finalized, will join the Board’s ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Vehicles, which are currently being updated, and its ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities. The new guidelines will be used by the Department of Transportation and the Department of Justice in setting mandatory standards.
The proposed guidelines and related information can be accessed, and comments submitted, through the federal government's rulemaking portal at www.regulations.gov. Instructions for submitting comments are included in the proposal. The deadline for comments is September 23, 2013. The Board will hold a public hearing on the guidelines in Washington, D.C. on July 10.
Visit the passenger vessels homepage on the Board’s website for more information or contact Paul Beatty at pvag@access-board.gov, (202) 272-0012 (v), or (202) 272-0072 (TTY).
UPDATE NOTE: The May/June issue of "Access Currents," the Access Board’s newsletter, issued earlier today neglected to note the availability of communication access real-time translation (CART) for upcoming board events on July 10. These include a public hearing on proposed guidelines for passenger vessels and the next meeting of the Board. This information should have noted that links for web streaming CART will be posted on the Board’s website as indicated below at a later date. The Board regrets any confusion caused by this omission.
Public Hearing on the Proposed Guidelines for Passenger Vessels
July 10, 9:30 – Noon
Access Board Conference Room
1331 F Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20004
Note: For the comfort of all participants and to promote a fragrance-free environment, attendees are requested not to use perfume, cologne, or other fragrances.
Call-in option (listening only):
Dial: (888) 603-7094 (toll-free)
Passcode: 6317703
To submit comments by phone, contact Al Baes in advance at baes@access-board.gov, (202) 202) 272-0011 (v), or (202) 272-0082 (TTY)
Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART):
The web streaming link will be posted on the Passenger Vessels homepage.
Meeting of the U.S. Access Board
July 10, 1:30 – 3:30
Access Board Conference Room
1331 F Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20004
Note: For the comfort of all participants and to promote a fragrance-free environment, attendees are requested not to use perfume, cologne, or other fragrances.
Call-in option (listening only):
Dial: (888) 790-2060 (toll-free)
Passcode: 6317703
Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART):
The web streaming link will be posted on the Access Board's homepage.
The Access Board has released for public comment proposed guidelines for passenger vessels. Developed under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the guidelines provide design criteria for large vessels when newly constructed or altered to ensure that they are accessible to people with disabilities. The guidelines address various features of vessel accessibility and include provisions for onboard routes, vertical access between decks, doorways and coamings, toilet rooms, guest rooms, alarm systems, and other spaces and elements used by passengers.
“The Board is pleased to unveil proposed guidelines that will ensure access to vessels for passengers with disabilities,” states Access Board Chair Karen L. Braitmayer, FAIA. “We know from experience that barriers to accessibility are often due to a lack of clear and detailed design guidance, and this rule will fill a long-standing gap in making passenger vessels accessible to all.”
As proposed, the guidelines would apply to cruise ships and other vessels that carry over 150 passengers or at least 50 overnight passengers. They also cover ferries designed to carry 100 or more passengers and tenders allowed to carry 60 or more passengers. The Board is not proposing requirements for smaller vessels due to design challenges, space constraints, and other factors. The guidelines would apply to newly built or altered vessels.
In laying the groundwork for this effort, the Board conducted research on the feasibility and impacts of integrating accessibility into the design of vessels. This information includes case studies on vessels of various types and sizes, examination of design solutions to identified design and engineering constraints, and cost and impact analyses. The Board previously released advance drafts of the guidelines for comment which were based on recommendations from two advisory panels organized by the Board, the Passenger Vessel Access Advisory Committee and the Passenger Vessels Emergency Alarms Advisory Committee.
The Board is developing these guidelines under the ADA, which requires access to transportation and other services and to places of public accommodation. Under the law, the Board is responsible for developing minimum guidelines covering access to transportation systems and to the built environment. The vessel guidelines, once finalized, will join the Board’s ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Vehicles, which are currently being updated, and its ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities. The new guidelines will be used by the Department of Transportation and the Department of Justice in setting mandatory standards.
The proposed guidelines and related information can be accessed, and comments submitted, through the federal government's rulemaking portal at www.regulations.gov. Instructions for submitting comments are included in the proposal. The deadline for comments is September 23, 2013. The Board will hold a public hearing on the guidelines in Washington, D.C. on July 10.
Visit the passenger vessels homepage on the Board’s website for more information or contact Paul Beatty at pvag@access-board.gov, (202) 272-0012 (v), or (202) 272-0072 (TTY).
UPDATE NOTE: The May/June issue of "Access Currents," the Access Board’s newsletter, issued earlier today neglected to note the availability of communication access real-time translation (CART) for upcoming board events on July 10. These include a public hearing on proposed guidelines for passenger vessels and the next meeting of the Board. This information should have noted that links for web streaming CART will be posted on the Board’s website as indicated below at a later date. The Board regrets any confusion caused by this omission.
Public Hearing on the Proposed Guidelines for Passenger Vessels
July 10, 9:30 – Noon
Access Board Conference Room
1331 F Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20004
Note: For the comfort of all participants and to promote a fragrance-free environment, attendees are requested not to use perfume, cologne, or other fragrances.
Call-in option (listening only):
Dial: (888) 603-7094 (toll-free)
Passcode: 6317703
To submit comments by phone, contact Al Baes in advance at baes@access-board.gov, (202) 202) 272-0011 (v), or (202) 272-0082 (TTY)
Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART):
The web streaming link will be posted on the Passenger Vessels homepage.
Meeting of the U.S. Access Board
July 10, 1:30 – 3:30
Access Board Conference Room
1331 F Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20004
Note: For the comfort of all participants and to promote a fragrance-free environment, attendees are requested not to use perfume, cologne, or other fragrances.
Call-in option (listening only):
Dial: (888) 790-2060 (toll-free)
Passcode: 6317703
Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART):
The web streaming link will be posted on the Access Board's homepage.
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