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The goal of the Boston Society of Architects Access Committee is to enhance understanding among all professionals in the building industry of the state and federal accessible design and construction standards — what they are, why they are important, and their impact on the design process.
This is the first accessible section of the Boston Society of Architects website. To find out more about what makes a website accessible, visit W3C's Web Accessibility Initiative or WebAIM.
News
U.S. Access Board's Town-Hall Meeting
The Access Committee will discuss any issues the BSA might want to bring up at the U.S. Access Board’s town-hall meeting on May 28, 2009 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at Fairmont Copley Plaza (138 St. James Avenue, State Suite, Boston).
The town-hall meeting’s agenda includes presentation on promoting accessibility in design education, a panel discussion on accessible museum-exhibit design, “open-microphone” opportunities for the public and presentations by the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board. A reception follows the day’s events at the Institute for Human Centered Design (200 Portland Street, Boston) at 6:30 pm. For more information, contact johnson@access-board.gov.
Send Your Recommendations to the AAB Regulations Committee
Following our discussions about the work of the AAB’s Regulations Committee, the Mass. AIA has sent a letter to the AAB requesting that the Board adopt IBC, with Massachusetts amendments. This will standardize the format of the Mass. Accessible design regulations with most other states, and make requirements unique to Massachusetts easy to identify and understand. We are hopeful that this request will be well-received by the AAB in its current work to update 521 CMR to integrate the best of all state and federal standards.
Proposed Regulations Published in Federal Register
On June 17, 2008 proposed regulations to revise the Department of Justice’s ADA regulations, including its ADA Standards for Accessible Design. were published in the Federal Register. The proposed regulations consist of a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the ADA regulation for State and local governments, a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the ADA regulation for public accommodations and commercial facilities, a Regulatory Impact Analysis, and two supporting appendices.
Title II: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend 28 CFR Part 35: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services -- Federal Register (HTML) | Federal Register -- PDF format
Title III: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend 28 CFR Part 36: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities -- Federal Register (HTML) | Federal Register PDF format
Proposed ADA Standards for Accessible Design:
Proposed ADA Standards For Accessible Design (HTML) | PDF Format
The Department of Justice will accept comments on the Department’s proposals at www.regulations.gov until August 18, 2008.
Next Meeting
When: Meetings are held at noon on the fourth Wednesday of each month
Where: The Architects Building, 52 Broad Street in Boston
For more information, visit our Committee page.
May 27, 2009
The BSA Access Committee welcomes a representative of Woodwise Construction and Jennifer Shaw of Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership for a presentation on residential accessibility features and design solutions, as well as home-modification loan opportunities for homeowners/clients.
Shaw will discuss the Home Modification Loan Program offered through the Mass Rehab Commission. This state-funded program provides low- and no-interest loans for building modifications that help elders, adults with disabilities, and families with children with disabilities remain in their homes and live independently in their communities. Such modifications typically include the installation of ramps and lifts, widening of doorways, and alteration of kitchens and bathrooms.
A representative from Woodwise Construction will discuss the company's services. A family-owned business with more than 30 years of construction experience, Wood Wise Construction focuses on universal design and renovations for "barrier-free" living spaces.
Lunch is provided, and the meeting is free and open to all. Many BSA committee/network meetings and programs offer continuing-education credit. When you attend an eligible program, sign in to ensure you will receive credit. RSVP to rsvp@architects.org or 617-951-1433 x221 by 9:30 am on the day of the meeting so we order enough food.Tip of the Month
The AAB has requirements for residential new construction of three or more units and alterations of 12 or more units. The ADA has no requirements for privately owned residential buildings unless they are a dormitory or provide social services (and therefore are a place of public accommodation). The federal Fair Housing Act has requirements for new construction of four or more units. (AAB 9.1 and FFHA 24 CFR 100.201)
Past Tips of the Month 
Massachusetts Best of Accessible Design Awards, sponsored by the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board
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Quick Links
BSA Access Committee
52 Broad Street, Boston MA 02109
617-951-1433x221
E-mail the committee (access@architects.org)
BSA Access Committee Website (http://www.architects.org/access)