Architectural Barriers Act of 1968
Encyclopedia
The Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 ("ABA", , codified at et seq.) is an Act of Congress
, enacted by President Lyndon B. Johnson
.
The ABA requires that facilities designed, built, altered, or leased with funds supplied by the United States Federal Government be accessible to the public. The ABA marks one of the first efforts to ensure that certain federally funded buildings and facilities are designed and constructed to be accessible to people with disabilities. Facilities that predate the law generally are not covered, but alterations or leases undertaken after the law took effect can trigger coverage.
Uniform standards for the design, construction and alteration of buildings so that physically handicapped persons will have ready access to and use of them. These Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) are developed and maintained by an Access Board and serve as the basis for the standards used to enforce the law. The Board enforces the ABA by investigating complaints concerning particular facilities. Four Federal agencies are responsible for the setting the standards: the Department of Defense
, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the General Services Administration
, and the U.S. Postal Service. These federal agencies are responsible for ensuring compliance with UFAS when funding the design, construction, alteration, or leasing of facilities. Some departments have, as a matter of policy, also required compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
accessibility guidelines (which otherwise do not apply to the Federal sector) in addition to UFAS.
Act of Congress
An Act of Congress is a statute enacted by government with a legislature named "Congress," such as the United States Congress or the Congress of the Philippines....
, enacted by President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
.
The ABA requires that facilities designed, built, altered, or leased with funds supplied by the United States Federal Government be accessible to the public. The ABA marks one of the first efforts to ensure that certain federally funded buildings and facilities are designed and constructed to be accessible to people with disabilities. Facilities that predate the law generally are not covered, but alterations or leases undertaken after the law took effect can trigger coverage.
Uniform standards for the design, construction and alteration of buildings so that physically handicapped persons will have ready access to and use of them. These Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) are developed and maintained by an Access Board and serve as the basis for the standards used to enforce the law. The Board enforces the ABA by investigating complaints concerning particular facilities. Four Federal agencies are responsible for the setting the standards: the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the General Services Administration
General Services Administration
The General Services Administration is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1949 to help manage and support the basic functioning of federal agencies. The GSA supplies products and communications for U.S...
, and the U.S. Postal Service. These federal agencies are responsible for ensuring compliance with UFAS when funding the design, construction, alteration, or leasing of facilities. Some departments have, as a matter of policy, also required compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a law that was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1990. It was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush, and later amended with changes effective January 1, 2009....
accessibility guidelines (which otherwise do not apply to the Federal sector) in addition to UFAS.
Structure
The ABA (as amended) consists of seven sections:- Section 1 defines the buildings or facilities covered by the Act.
- Section 2, 3, 4 and 4a describe the role of each standards-setting agency.
- The General Services Administration (GSA) prescribes standards for all buildings subject to the Architectural Barriers Act that are not covered by standards issued by the other three standard-setting agencies;
- The Department of Defense (DoD) prescribes standards for DoD installations;
- The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) prescribes standards for residential structures covered by the Architectural Barriers Act except those funded or constructed by DoD;
- The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) prescribes standards for postal facilities.
- Section 5 states that buildings designed, constructed, or altered after the effective date (August 12, 1968) are covered under the Act.
- Section 6 concerns modification of standards and the granting of waivers.
- Section 7a requires that the Administrator of General Services report to Congress on his or her activities as they pertain to the act.
- Section 7b amends the Act to ensure compliance with the standards, by the establishment an independent Federal agency, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board established by section 502 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 7b also requires report of the Compliance Board to the SenateUnited States SenateThe United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
"activities and actions to insure compliance with the standards prescribed under this Act."