Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On May 23, 2013, we, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board), established the Rail Vehicle Access Advisory Committee (Committee) to advise us on revising and updating our accessibility guidelines issued pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act for transportation vehicles that operate on fixed guideway systems (e.g., rapid rail, light rail, commuter rail, intercity rail, and high speed rail). The Committee will hold its second meeting on the following dates and times.

The Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee (Committee) will hold its first meeting. We, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board), established the Committee to advise us on revising and updating our accessibility guidelines issued pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act for transportation vehicles that operate on fixed guideway systems (e.g., rapid rail, light rail, commuter rail, intercity rail, and high speed rail). The original first meeting, previously scheduled for October 15 and 16, 2013, did not occur due to the federal government shutdown.

We, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board), are issuing a final rule that amends the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines by adding scoping and technical requirements for camping facilities, picnic facilities, viewing areas, trails, and beach access routes constructed or altered by or on behalf of federal agencies. The final rule ensures that these facilities are readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. The final rule applies to the following federal agencies and their components that administer outdoor areas developed for recreational purposes: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service); Department of Defense (Army Corps of Engineers); and Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service). The final rule also applies to non-federal entities that construct or alter recreation facilities on federal land on behalf of the federal agencies pursuant to a concession contract, partnership agreement, or similar arrangement.

The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) is extending until January 24, 2014, the comment period for the notice entitled ``Passenger Vessels Accessibility Guidelines,'' that appeared in the Federal Register on June 25, 2013. In that notice, the Access Board proposed accessibility guidelines for passenger vessels and requested comments by September 23, 2013. The Access Board is taking this action to allow interested persons additional time to submit comments.

This notice is given pursuant to the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 12866 (``Regulatory Planning and Review''), which require the publication by the Department of a semiannual agenda of regulations.

The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) plans to hold its regular committee and Board meetings in Washington, DC, Tuesday and Wednesday, July 9-10, 2013 at the times and location listed below.

The Medical Diagnostic Equipment Accessibility Standards Advisory Committee will hold its seventh meeting. On July 5, 2012, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) established the advisory committee to make recommendations to the Board on matters associated with comments received and responses to questions included in a previously published Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Medical Diagnostic Equipment Accessibility Standards.

The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) has requested approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of a new information collection. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, we are providing opportunity for public comment on this action. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on December 18, 2012 and allowed 60 days for public comments. Nine comments were received, and the form has been revised in response to these comments. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment.

The Medical Diagnostic Equipment Accessibility Standards Advisory Committee will hold its fifth meeting. On July 5, 2012, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) established the advisory committee to make recommendations to the Board on matters associated with comments received and responses to questions included in a previously published Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Medical Diagnostic Equipment Accessibility Standards.

The Medical Diagnostic Equipment Accessibility Standards Advisory Committee will hold its fourth meeting. On July 5, 2012, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) established the advisory committee to make recommendations to the Board on matters associated with comments received and responses to questions included in a previously published Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Medical Diagnostic Equipment Accessibility Standards.

We, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board), issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) announcing our intent to develop accessibility guidelines for shared used paths. Shared use paths are multi-use paths designed primarily for use by bicyclists and pedestrians, including pedestrians with disabilities, for transportation and recreation purposes. Shared use paths are physically separated from motor vehicle traffic by an open space or barrier, and are either within the highway right-of-way or within an independent right-of-way. We noted in the ANPRM that we are considering including accessibility guidelines for shared use paths in the accessibility guidelines that we are developing for sidewalks and other pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way. We subsequently issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) requesting comments on proposed accessibility guidelines for pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way. The NPRM did not include specific provisions for shared use paths. We are issuing this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to include specific provisions for shared use paths in the proposed accessibility guidelines for pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way. The proposed accessibility guidelines would apply to the design, construction, and alteration of pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way, including shared use paths, covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act, and would ensure that the facilities are readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

This notice is given pursuant to the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 (``Regulatory Planning and Review''), which require the publication by the Department of a semiannual agenda of regulations. E.O. 12866 also requires the publication by the Department of a regulatory plan for the upcoming fiscal year.