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 Board Releases Revised Draft of Updated Guidelines for Buses and Vans November 19, 2008

 

The Board has released a revised draft of updated guidelines for buses and vans as part of a refresh of its guidelines for transportation vehicles covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The document is available for public comment until January 20, 2009.

An earlier draft was released for comment last year. In response, the Board received almost 90 comments, including feedback from vehicle manufacturers, transit operators, trade associations, consumers, disability groups, and others. The new draft includes revisions made in response to this input. Changes and additions address level boarding access, automated stop announcement systems, boarding devices, wheelchair spaces, headrests, accessible routes, and provisions for bus stations as contained in the Board’s guidelines for buildings and facilities. In addition, the Board has added provisions specific to over-the-road buses, included new figures, and revised the structure and format of the document for consistency with the Board’s facility guidelines. A comparison is available between the draft updated guidelines and the original vehicle guidelines as published in 1991.

Through release of the new draft, the Board is seeking input on these revisions and is requesting additional information on automated stop announcements. Comments can be submitted through an input form on the Board’s website. A notice published by the Board provides additional information, including alternative ways to submit comment. Comments submitted through the Board’s website will be posted as they are received.

The Board will draft revisions to other sections of its vehicles guidelines at a future date. These guidelines cover a range of vehicles in addition to buses and vans, including various types of rail cars, trams, and other modes of public transportation.

For further information, contact Dennis Cannon at cannon@access-board.gov, (202) 272-0015 (v), or (202) 272-0082 (TTY).

 

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