The Access Board provides training on its accessibility guidelines and standards to various organizations and groups. In a typical year, the Board conducts over 75 training sessions across the country, usually traveling to almost half the states and reaching a cumulative audience of over 9,000 people. Most training sessions focus on the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) which cover the built environment and transportation vehicles. ADAAG training also addresses new or upcoming sections, such as those covering children’s environments, play areas, state and local government facilities, and recreation facilities. In addition to ADAAG, training is available on design requirements for Federal facilities, telecommunications equipment, and electronic and information technology.

The Board tailors its training to the particular needs and interests of each audience. Board training is of particular interest to design professionals and architects, facility operators and managers, the transportation industry, the disability community, and members of other professions and groups that work with any of the Board’s guidelines and standards. Board staff often reserve time for question-and-answer sessions at training events. This kind of interaction is particularly helpful in gauging the information needs of the Board’s various audiences.

Most training sessions are held at the request of, or in partnership with, organizations or groups holding conferences and seminars that include accessibility or the ADA on the agenda. Due to budget constraints, the Board usually requests reimbursement of travel costs for its participation. Board policy requires that the events it participates in be conducted in accessible facilities and be communicated, upon request, in accessible formats. The Board likes to arrange additional training opportunities once it is scheduled to be in a particular area. Check out the current schedule for Board training.

For more information about the Board’s training program or scheduling training, contact Peggy Greenwell, Training Coordinator, training@access-board.gov.

Training on the ADA and ADAAG is also available from Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers, a Federally-sponsored network of 10 information centers across the country.