Department of Justice Issues Advance Notice on Update of its ADA Standards (10/5/04)
On September 30, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued an advance notice on its intent to update its ADA standards based on new guidelines the Board issued last July. Under the ADA, design requirements for new or altered facilities are first established by the Board as a baseline for DOJ’s use in setting or updating the enforceable standards that must be followed. DOJ’s standards must be consistent with the Board’s guidelines.
The DOJ notice puts questions to the public on various application issues, such as how much lead time should be provided before the updated standards take effect. It also discusses issues concerning existing facilities, which are subject to requirements in DOJ’s regulations but which are not addressed in the Board’s guidelines except where altered. In addition, the advance notice discusses specific issues concerning certain types of facilities and equipment, miscellaneous matters, such as DOJ’s process for certifying state and local codes under the ADA, and information for its use in developing a regulatory impact analysis.
The information sought from the public through this advance notice will be used by DOJ in proposing a follow-up version that will also be made available for comment before it is finalized. The notice, which includes instructions on submitting comment, is posted on DOJ’s website at www.ada.gov/proposal.htm. The deadline for comment is January 28, 2005.
Questions about this notice should be directed to DOJ at (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY).
