New ADA guidelines proposed.(Americans With Disabilities Act )(Brief Article)

Building Design & Construction, February, 2000 by Lunch, Milton F.

In the first decision dealing with application of the Americans With Disabilities Act -- the 1996 suit by the Justice Department against A/E Ellerbe Becket involving the MCI Arena in Washington, D.C. -- the federal district court for the District of Columbia was strongly critical of the failure of the U.S. Justice Department to provide clear interpretations of the statute. This criticism stemmed from the department's issuance primarily of informal documents, press releases and correspondence.

This lack of guidance is being addressed by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board through proposed new accessibility guidelines -- the first revision since publication of the guidelines in July 1991.

The board's proposed revisions,...

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