Small Business Regulatory Alert: Deadline Extended for Comments on Passenger Vessel Accessibility Guidelines

The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) has extended the public comment period for proposed guidelines for passenger vessels. Comments are now due on January 24, 2014.

Developed under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the guidelines provide design criteria for newly constructed or newly altered large vessels to ensure that they are accessible to people with disabilities.  As proposed, the guidelines would apply to cruise ships and other vessels that carry over 150 passengers or at least 50 overnight passengers.  They also cover ferries designed to carry 100 or more passengers and tenders allowed to carry 60 or more passengers.  The Access Board is not proposing requirements for smaller vessels at this time due to design challenges, space constraints, and other factors.

• Link to the Notice
• Link to the Guidelines
• Advocacy Comment Letter on 2006 Guidelines
• Advocacy contact: Assistant Chief Counsel Janis Reyes, (202) 619-0312
• For further information, contact Paul Beatty, Accessibility Specialist, U.S. Access Board