Current Accessibility issues:

2011: Shared Use Path Accessibility Guidelines
2011: Use of Power-Driven Mobility Devices on trails and public facilities
2011: Accessible public rights-of-way proposed guidelines
2009: Accessibility Guidelines proposed for trails and recreation on Federal lands
2007: Outdoor developed areas accessibility guidelines, including trails, under the ABA
2005: Revised Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way
American Trails index of resources on Accessible Trails issues

Resources and Library:

Accessible Trails

The U.S. Access Board has issued proposed guidelines for accessible public rights-of-way including crosswalks, curb ramps, street furnishings, pedestrian signals, and parking.

Download the full Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (pdf 3.7 mb)

See DISCUSSION OF PROVISIONS - DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY, 2005 (pdf 360 kb)

See Accessible Public Rights-of-Way Design Guide, 134 pages (pdf 3.8 mb)

Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines proposed by U.S. Access Board

Public comment period closed February 2, 2012 on the new "Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way"

From the U.S. Access Board

The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board is proposing accessibility guidelines for the design, construction, and alteration of pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way. The guidelines ensure that sidewalks, pedestrian street crossings, pedestrian signals, and other facilities for pedestrian circulation and use constructed or altered in the public right-of-way by state and local governments are readily accessible to and usable by pedestrians with disabilities.

photo of wheelchair

The guidelines will cover pedestrian access to sidewalks and streets,
including crosswalks, curb ramps, and, pedestrian signals

When the guidelines are adopted, with or without additions and modifications, as accessibility standards in regulations issued by other federal agencies implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Architectural Barriers Act, compliance with the accessibility standards is mandatory.

The Board held public hearings on the proposed rule in Dallas, Texas on September 12 and Washington, D.C. on November 9, 2011.

Submit comments by February 2, 2012 by any of the following methods:

Download the full Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (pdf 3.7 mb)
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Regulations.gov ID for this docket is ATBCB-2011-0004.
E-mail: row@access-board.gov. Include docket number ATBCB 2011-04 in the subject line of the message.
Fax: 202-272-0081.
Mail or Hand Delivery/Courier: Office of Technical and Informational Services, Access Board, 1331 F Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20004-1111.
All comments will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.

Authority and Application of the Guidelines

The proposed guidelines are developed specifically for pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way and address conditions and constraints that exist in the public right-of-way. As discussed below under the Major Issues, the requirements in the proposed guidelines make allowances for typical roadway geometry and permit flexibility in alterations to existing facilities where existing physical constraints make it impractical to fully comply with new construction requirements. The proposed guidelines also include requirements for elements and facilities that exist only in the public right-of-way such as pedestrian signals and roundabouts.

The Department of Transportation is responsible for issuing regulations to implement the public transportation parts of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.6 The regulations issued by the Department of Transportation include accessibility standards for the design, construction, and alteration of facilities used in the provision of public transportation covered by the public transportation parts of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. See 49 CFR 37.9 and Appendix A to 49 CFR part 37.

The Department of Justice is responsible for overall enforcement of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Department of Justice has designated the Department of Transportation as the federal agency responsible for investigating complaints and conducting compliance reviews “relating to programs, services, and regulatory activities relating to transportation, including highways.” See 28 CFR 35.190 (b) (8).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Scott Windley, Office of Technical and Information Services, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, 1331 F Street NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20004-1111. Telephone (202) 272-0025 (voice) or (202) 272-0028 (TTY). E-mail: row@access-board.gov.

See DISCUSSION OF PROVISIONS - DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY, 2005 (pdf 360 kb)

See Accessible Public Rights-of-Way Design Guide, 134 pages (pdf 3.8 mb)

See Access Board "Public Rights-of-Way" website area: http://www.access-board.gov/prowac/

Download the full Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (pdf 3.7 mb)

See current news, legislation, and more resources for accessible trails