Frequently Asked Question
What Is the U.S. Access Board?
The U.S. Access Board is an independent federal agency, created in 1973, that develops accessibility guidelines and standards and enforces the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) standards for federally funded facilities. It is also known by its full name, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.
What it develops. The Board writes accessibility guidelines and standards for the built environment, transit vehicles, the public right-of-way, information and communication technology, and medical diagnostic equipment under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ABA, the Rehabilitation Act and other laws. It also provides technical assistance and training on these requirements.
Enforcement role. By law, the Board must make sure the ABA standards are complied with (29 U.S.C. 792(b)(1)). It investigates complaints, may hold hearings and may issue orders, and its final orders are subject to judicial review (29 U.S.C. 792(e)). The ABA complaint process is covered in the FAQ on filing an ABA complaint with the Access Board.
Membership. The Board has 25 members. Twelve represent federal departments and 13 are public members appointed by the President, most of whom must be individuals with disabilities. The agency has a staff of about 30.
Who uses its standards. Federal agencies apply the Board's Section 508 standards to information and communication technology, described in the FAQ on Section 508 requirements for federal agencies.
Recent Board actions. The news posts on the ABA complaint form renewal and accessibility standards for changing tables in airports describe recent work.
We are not a law firm. The information on this website is for informational purposes only and may not be up to date. Always consult a licensed attorney for personalized legal advice.
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