Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard, Outdoor Developed Areas Final Rule
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov
February 4, 2014
In Reply Refer To:
8360 (250/720/854) P
EMS TRANSMISSION 02/06/2014
Instruction Memorandum No. 2014-041
Expires: 09/30/2015
To: All Washington Office and Field Office Officials
From: Acting Deputy Director, Operations
Subject: Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard, Outdoor Developed Areas Final Rule
Program Area: Recreation and Visitor Services, Engineering, National Conservation Lands, Partnerships and Agreements
Purpose: This Instruction Memorandum adopts the final rule on accessible outdoor developed areas issued by the United States Access Board. Outdoor developed areas for recreational purposes include: camping facilities, picnic facilities, viewing areas, trails, trailheads, and beach access routes on public lands.
Policy/Action: All state and field offices are required to comply with Appendices C and D of the Architectural Barriers Act, as amended by the final rule. The outdoor developed areas final rule is incorporated into the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards 36 CFR part 1191, Appendices C and D. Outdoor developed areas scoping and technical requirements apply, with exceptions articulated, to camping facilities, picnic facilities, viewing areas, trails, trailheads, and beach access routes that are constructed, altered, or leased by or on behalf of Federal agencies on or after the effective date. The Outdoor Developed Areas Final Rule can be accessed at the following link: http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/recreation-facilities/outdoor-developed-areas/final-guidelines-for-outdoor-developed-areas.
Timeframe: The new scoping and technical requirements became effective on November 25, 2013.
Budget Impact: There may be minimal budget impact when purchasing accessible constructed features such as: picnic tables, fire rings, grills, fireplaces or wood stoves, water spouts/hydrants, viewing scopes, and outdoor rinsing showers. To help minimize budget impacts, discussion of accessibility requirements should be included during the planning and design phase of any recreational project and addressed during the analysis of the project under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Background: The Architectural Barriers Act of 1963 requires facilities constructed or altered by or on behalf of Federal agencies to be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. The Architectural Barriers Act Accessible Standards (ABAAS) were adopted by the General Services Administration in 2006 for Federal agencies. The 2006 standards did not address all of the features provided at outdoor areas developed for recreation purposes. The United States Access Board has worked on completing the outdoor developed areas guidelines for over 13 years and a final draft document was issued in 2009. Since 2009, most state accessibility coordinators have become familiar with the draft guidelines. The final rule, effective November 25, 2013, incorporates the guidelines into Chapter 10 of the ABAAS as standard.
Manual/ Handbook Sections Affected: None.
Coordination: This guidance was coordinated with the Division of Civil Rights, WO-720 and Branch of Engineering & Asset Management Policy, WO-854.
Contact: Questions regarding this guidance should be directed to Tina McDonald, National Accessibility Coordinator, Recreation and Visitor Services, WO-250, by email at: tmcdonal@blm.gov, or by telephone at 202-912-7251; or Marjorie Chiles, Civil Engineer, Engineering & Asset Management Policy Branch, WO-854, by email at: mdchiles@blm.gov or by telephone at: 202-912-7151; or Gina Edelen, Public Civil Rights Manager, Division of Civil Rights, WO-720, by email at: gedelen@blm.gov or by telephone at 202-912-7488.
The attachment provides a list of each state’s designated accessibility coordinator. These coordinators, plus the Washington Office contacts, are available to assist with your questions and are great resources during the planning and design phase of your facilities or recreation project.
Signed by: Authenticated by:
Steven A. Ellis Robert M. Williams
Acting Deputy Director, Operations Division of IRM Governance,WO-860
1 Attachment