About the U.S. Access Board
Mission
The Access Board is an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility
for people with disabilities. Created in 1973
to ensure access to federally funded facilities, the Board is now a leading
source of information on accessible design. The Board develops and
maintains design criteria for the built environment, transit vehicles, telecommunications equipment,
and for electronic and information technology. It also provides
technical assistance and training on these requirements and on accessible
design and continues to enforce accessibility standards that cover
federally funded facilities.
The Board is structured to function as a coordinating body among Federal agencies and to directly
represent the public, particularly people with disabilities. Half of its members are representatives from most
of the Federal departments. The other half is comprised of members of the
public appointed by the President, a majority of whom must have a
disability. |