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Accessibility Program Overview
History
The Department of Veterans Affairs has played a major role in formulating
accessibility policy in the United States. In 1968 VA was a major advocate
for The Architectural Barriers Act, Public Law 90-480, that insures that
buildings financed with federal funds are so designed and constructed as to
be accessible to everyone. This law requires all construction, renovation,
or leasing with federal funds to meet Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards,
UFAS.
These standards brought all Federal agencies under a common accessibility
guideline for the first time. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of
1990 set accessibility requirements for state and local government, as well
as private sector projects, similar to the requirements set for Federal
projects through the Architectural Barriers Act. The ADA guidelines are
called the ADAAG
Standards. In addition, VA uses the
Barrier Free
Design Guide the barrier free needs
of the Department of Veterans Affairs in its health care facilities.
Program
The Office of Construction & Facilities Management directs the Accessibility Program for VA.
This program complies with the provisions of UFAS, represents VA at various
accessibility Committee/Board meetings, and provides liaison and technical
staff to the Secretary of the Department concerning accessibility complaints
against VA facilities.
The Secretary, or his designee, is a member of the Architectural and
Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ATBCB), an agency of the Federal
government that oversees compliance by the various agencies, such as VA,
with accessibility standards. Since 1994, the Secretary designated the
Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration as VA's Board
member. The accessibility program involves reviewing agenda information
for ATBCB meetings, and representing the VA Board member at these meetings.
Results
VA's Accessibility Program continues to implement the provisions of UFAS.
VA has the lowest number of accessibility complaints of all the major
Federal departments.
This is largely due to VA being an advocate for the rights of the disabled
and the hard work and dedication of VA's facility managers and engineering
staff, who strive to provide access to all VA facilities for everyone.
Contacts
Department of Veterans Affairs Accessibility Program
Dennis Hancher, Accessibility Officer 202.565.5825
Office of Construction & Facilities Management
811 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20420
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