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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
On June 17 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.
Next Meeting
When: Meetings are held at noon on the fourth Wednesday of each monthWhere: The Architects Building, 52 Broad Street in Boston
For more information, visit our Committee page.
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)