-----Original Message-----
From: Virtual Majordomo Account [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Justice For All Moderator
Sent: Sunday, March 05, 2000 10:00 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Deadline Extended for Comments to Update the ADA and ABA
Guidelines.


                          Justice For All

                          [log in to unmask]

  Deadline Extended for Comments to Update the ADA and ABA Guidelines

Dave Yanchulis, [log in to unmask], writes:

Access Board Update:  Comment Period on Proposed Guidelines Extended 60
Days

The Access Board has extended by an additional 60 days the period for
public
comment on the accessibility guidelines it has proposed under the
Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA).
The
deadline for public comment is now May 15, 2000 instead of March 15.  A
notice on this extension is due to be published in the Federal Register
on
March 8, 2000.

The proposal would update the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG),
which
cover the construction and alterations of facilities in the private and
public sectors covered by the ADA.  It also would revise guidelines
under
the ABA, which applies to facilities in the Federal sector and others
designed, built, altered, or leased with Federal funds. This
comprehensive
proposal, which was published on November 16, 1999, would update both
the
substance and format of the existing guidelines and provide new figures
and
advisory material.   The Board extended the comment period in response
to
requests from the public for additional time to prepare and submit
comment.

The proposed rule includes information on submitting comments
electronically
or by mail.  E-mailed comments on the rule should be sent to
[log in to unmask] and must include the full name and address of
the
sender in the text to receive consideration.  The Board scheduled two
public
hearings on the proposal to provide an additional forum for submitting
comment.  One hearing was held in Los Angeles, California on January 31,
2000, and the other will be held in the Washington, D.C. area on March
13,
2000.  After the comment period closes, the Board will revise the rule
as
necessary according to the comments received and republish the
guidelines in
final form.  Other Federal departments responsible for the standards
used to
enforce the ADA and ABA must then similarly modify their standards so
that
they are consistent with the updated guidelines.

The proposed rule is posted on the Board's web site at
http://www.access-board.gov.

For further information contact:
        Dave Yanchulis, The Access Board
        (202) 272-5434, ext. 127 (voice), (202) 272-5449 (TTY)
        E-mail: [log in to unmask]
        http://www.access-board.gov


--
Fred Fay
Chair, Justice For All
[log in to unmask]
http://www.jfanow.org

Register to Vote Online at http://www.fec.gov/votregis/vr.htm

=====================================================================
                 Justice-For-All FREE Subscriptions
   To subscribe or unsubscribe, send mail to [log in to unmask]
         with one or the other in the body of your message:
                         subscribe justice
                        unsubscribe justice