As indicated
in a notice published in the Federal
Register, the Board has organized an advisory committee to promote access
to courthouses as part of an overall plan for targeted outreach on different
aspects or spheres of accessibility. The Courthouse Access Advisory Committee
will explore issues related to the accessibility of courthouses, particularly
courtrooms, including best practices, design solutions, promotion of
accessible features, educational opportunities, and the gathering of
information on existing barriers, practices, recommendations, and guidelines.
This information will supplement design guidelines the Board previously issued
for judicial facilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The design of courthouses poses challenges to access due to unique features,
such as courtroom areas that are elevated within confined spaces. The Board has
received many requests for guidance on how access can best be achieved while
meeting traditional design features. The Committee will investigate compliance
issues and explore new and innovative design solutions. While past Board
advisory committees have been tasked with preparing recommendations for new
guidelines or standards, this committee’s work will instead be focused on
developing advisory information and guidance on best practices.
The Committee’s 31 members include designers and architects, disability
groups, members of the judiciary, including judges and court administrators
and organizations representing them, the codes community and standard-setting
entities, government agencies, and others with an interest in the issues to be
explored. The members were selected among applications the Board received in
response to a notice published in June. The Committee will hold its first
meeting on November 4th and 5th in Washington, D.C. For further information on
the Committee and its meeting, contact Elizabeth Stewart of the Board at (202) 272-0042
(v), (202) 272-0082 (TTY), or
stewart@access-board.gov (e-mail).
Courthouse Access Advisory Committee
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