ALAWON v5n58 (September 13, 1996) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/alawon/alawon-v5n58 ------------------- ALWN558.TXT follows -------------------- ================================================================= ALAWON Volume 5, Number 58 ISSN 1069-7799 September 13, 1996 American Library Association Washington Office Newsline In this issue: (87 lines) PROPOSED RULES PUBLISHED ON ADA ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES: LIBRARIANS' COMMENTS SOUGHT ON FACILITIES USED BY CHILDREN _________________________________________________________________ PROPOSED RULES PUBLISHED ON ADA ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES: LIBRARIANS' COMMENTS SOUGHT ON FACILITIES USED BY CHILDREN Accessible building elements designed for use by children are the subject of a proposed rulemaking that would amend guidelines in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) (42 U.S.C. 12101-12213). The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) and the Department of Justice jointly published the proposal in the July 22 Federal Register, (Vol. 61, No. 141, pp. 37964-77). Public comments on the proposal will be accepted until October 21, 1996. The proposed rules would amend the Access Board's ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and the Department of Justice Standards for Accessible Design to provide specifications for accessible building elements designed for use by children. The ADAAG and the ADA standards now contain technical specifications based on adult dimensions that provide a high level of access to facilities for adults. The proposed rules provide specific technical requirements based on children's needs and seek comment from the public on various issues relating to access for children with disabilities. THE PROPOSED RULES: The proposal applies to facilities, or portions of facilities, constructed according to children's dimensions and anthropometrics for ages 2 through 12. Building elements include: reach ranges; protruding objects; handrails at ramps and stairs; drinking fountains and water coolers; water closets, toilet seats, grab bars, and toilet paper dispensers; lavatories and mirrors; storage; and fixed or built-in seating and tables. Comments are also sought on other issues. Librarians should particularly note an item on p. 37973 under the "Other Issues" heading, "Accessible Route: Minimum Width." Because state building and life safety codes typically require hallways or corridors to be wider than 44 inches, the Access Board is considering a requirement for a 44 inch wide route off hallways or corridors in classrooms, libraries, toilet rooms, and other spaces. According to the proposed rule, "This includes routes to accessible study carrels and between library stacks." ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to the Office of Technical and Information Services, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, 1331 F Street NW, Suite 1000, Washington, D.C. 2004-1111. AVAILABILITY OF THE DOCUMENT: Single copies of this publication may be obtained at no cost by calling the Access Boards's automated publications order line (202-272-5434) or (800-872-2253), by pressing 1 on the telephone keypad, then 1 again, and requesting publication S25 (Children's Facilities Notice of Proposed Rulemaking). Persons using a TTY should call (202-272-5449) or (800-993-2822). Record a name, address, telephone number and request publications S25. Persons who want a copy in an alternate format should specify the type of format (audio cassette tape, braille, large print, or computer disk). The proposed rule is available on electronic bulletin board at (202-272-5448) and (202-514-6193). This rule is also available on the Internet at _________________________________________________________________ ALAWON is a free, irregular publication of the American Library Association Washington Office. To subscribe, send the message "subscribe ala-wo [your_firstname] [your_lastname]" to . ALAWON archives gopher.ala.org; select Washington Office Newsline. Web page http://www.alawash.org/ ALA Washington Office 202.628.8410 (V) 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, #403 202.628.8419 (F) Washington, DC 20004-1701 Lynne E. Bradley, Editor Contributors: Anne A. Heanue and Deirdre A. Herman All materials subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be reprinted or redistributed for noncommercial purposes with appropriate credits. =================================================================