Resources

Accessibility

When a public agency provides a pedestrian facility, it must meet the requirements of the American with Disabilities Act.

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended
• FHWA Program Administration Policy on Pedestrians and Accessible Design
• Accessible Public Rights of Way Planning and Design For Alterations (2007)
• US Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines
• Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practice
  • Guidelines for Accessible Pedestrian Signals: Final Report

• Announcement of USDOT Accessibility Regulations: 49 CFR Part 37--Transportation Services for Individuals with Disabilities: Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 209 / Monday, October 30, 2006 / Rules and Regulations / Page 63263. HTML / PDF

• FHWA/FTA Memorandum (September 25, 2000)
  The Americans with Disabilities Act Policy promotes universal design and the development of a fully accessible transportation system. This document calls for mainstreaming facilities for people with disabilities in our nation's transportation system.

• FHWA Program Administration Policy on Pedestrians and Accessible Design
  The Office of Program Administration is concerned with the design of the pedestrian environment in the public right of way for disabled individuals.
• Detectable Warnings Memorandum (July 30, 2004)
  Detectable Warnings Memorandum (May 6, 2002)
  FHWA and the US Access Board encourage the use of the latest recommended design for truncated domes.
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended
  The ADA recognizes and protects the civil rights of people with disabilities and is modeled after earlier landmark laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race and gender.
• Public Rights-of-Way
  Recommends accessibility guidelines for sidewalks, street crossings, and intersections.
  • Special Report: Accessible Public Rights-of-Way Planning and Design for Alterations
  • Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory, January 23, 2006
    Notice of availability of the Access Board's November 2005 Draft Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines
• ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines
  Accessibility guidelines for buildings.
• Access Board Outdoor Developed Areas Guidelines
  Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Standards for Outdoor Developed Areas, including trails, picnic and camping areas, and beach access routes.
• US Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines
  The U.S. Forest Service has developed accessibility guidelines to provide guidance for the agency to maximize accessibility while at the same time recognizing and protecting the unique characteristics of the natural setting of outdoor recreation areas and hiker/pedestrian trails. These guidelines apply to new or reconstructed areas within the National Forest System.
  • Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines (FSORAG) Pocket Version
    This pocket guide format of FSORAG provides detailed guidance for users who plan, design, construct, or maintain developed outdoor recreation areas, while maintaining the natural setting.
  • Forest Service Trails Accessibility Guidelines (FSTAG) Pocket Version
    This pocket guide format of FSTAG provides detailed guidance for users who plan, design, construct, or maintain developed outdoor recreation areas, while maintaining the natural setting.
• Special Report: Accessible Public Rights of Way Planning and Designing for Alterations, and Reports and Guidelines About Outdoor Developed Areas.