New Tutorials on Section 508 Standards to be Made Available
Since issuing its standards for electronic and information technology, the Board has maintained a program of continuing on-line guidance and training on the requirements of the standards. These standards, issued under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, cover various means of disseminating information, including computers, software, websites, and electronic office equipment. Federal agencies must ensure that the technologies they procure are accessible according to the standards.

The Board has sponsored the development of a series of interactive web-based tutorials on different sections of the standards. The tutorials supplement previously released material and provide advanced guidance on how products can conform to the standards. In a couple weeks, three new courses will be made available that cover requirements for software applications and operating systems; desktop and portable computers; and self contained, closed products, such as information kiosks, calculators, and fax machines. The courses will be part of the on-line “508 Universe” program which was developed by the Federal Information Technology Accessibility Initiative, an interagency partnership on the implementation of section 508. The program, which is available on the Initiative’s website at http://www.section508.gov, also provides a user-friendly introduction to the law, information on buying compliant products, and previously released courses on designing accessible websites and accessible video and multimedia.

Additional information on developing accessible software has also been posted on the Board’s section 508 homepage at www.access-board.gov/508.htm. The Board is also developing guidance materials on section 508 requirements for telecommunications products that will also serve as the basis for an upcoming tutorial.

• web sites
• video & multimedia

• software
• computers
• self contained, closed products

• telecommunications products

Study Completed on Play Surfacing Treatments
A key consideration in the design of accessible play areas is the type of surfacing to use. It is important that play surface materials be suitable for cushioning falls, yet firm and stable enough for accessibility. Surfacing is addressed by guidelines for play areas the Board developed under the Americans with Disabilities Act which reference standards developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for impact attenuation and wheelchair maneuverability. The Board has sponsored research on the suitability of engineered wood fiber, a popular surfacing material, and various binding agents that can enhance its usability. A report is now available on the results of field testing completed last fall by the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin.

In a preliminary phase, researchers analyzed various surface treatments on different types of engineered wood fiber. Based on this analysis, different test configurations were selected for field evaluations and performance testing. The study tested various types of binders (latex, silicone, and polyurethane) that can enhance surface firmness and stability of engineered wood fiber. The study included seven surface treatments and one untreated control surface installed in a series of outdoor test beds which were evaluated over a six-month period. Researchers exposed the surfaces to a wide range of climatic conditions, including freeze-thaw cycles, rain, and heat.

A third phase is planned which will further assess those treatments that ranked highest in the completed study (polyurethane and latex). This next phase will involve a full-scale field assessment of these surface stabilizers at a playground. The Board is seeking good candidates for site testing where the Forest Products Laboratory can install the surfaces to be tested, assess their performance, and receive user reactions. For further information, contact Bill Botten of the Board at (202) 272-0014 (v), (202) 272-0082 (TTY), or botten@access-board.gov (e-mail).

Issues Identified Among Comments on Rights-of-Way Guidelines
Last year, the Board released a draft of guidelines for accessible public rights-of-way which it made available for public comment. The guidelines address access to public streets and sidewalks, including crosswalks, curb ramps, street furnishings, parking, and other components of public rights-of-way. By the close of the comment period in late October, the Board had received over 1,400 comments from persons with disabilities, disability groups, leading industry associations, civil engineers, transportation specialists, public works departments, and others. The Board has completed its review of the comments, which are posted on its website, and has identified key issues raised by commenters. These include:

Alterations.
The guidelines address access to newly built and altered public rights-of-way. Many comments expressed concern or confusion over how the guidelines would be applied in the context of “alterations,” as defined in the guidelines. A reason for these concerns is that the intended application of the guidelines in public improvement projects and roadway work does not fully correspond to industry norms and conventions. (The Board has been aware of the need for additional guidance in this area and is working with former members of the Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory Committee to develop a comprehensive design guide on achieving access in alterations which is due to be completed this year.)

Access for Persons with Vision Impairments.
Access features at street crossings for people with vision impairments, namely detectable warnings and audible pedestrian signals, were addressed by the majority of comments. The guidelines included revised specifica-tions for detectable warnings, a distinctive surface pattern of domes that are intended to provide a tactile warning of entry into streets where curb faces are absent, such as at curb ramps and blended transitions. The guidelines also included requirements for audible and tactile indicators where walk signals are provided at intersections. Comments, particularly those submitted by persons with vision impairments and advocacy groups, were strongly divided over requiring these features at all intersections. However, most commenters who identified themselves as visually impaired supported detectable warnings at certain locations, such as low-slope curb ramps and pedestrian islands, and backed requirements for audible pedestrian signals at complex intersections.

Traffic Roundabouts.
Continuous-flow roundabouts, an increasingly popular alternative to signalized intersections, present unique challenges to access, particularly for people with vision impairments. The draft guidelines included a requirement for crossing signals at roundabout crosswalks to provide safer crossing. Comments from traffic engineers and others expressed concern about the impact since a key advantage of roundabouts is the absence of traffic signals.

On-street Parking.
The guidelines included a requirement for accessible on-street parking (at least one space per block face). Comments advocated a scoping level that was more consistent with existing requirements for parking lots.

Crosswalks and Walk Signals.
Comments expressed concern about impacts on street traffic flow of certain specifications that depart from industry practice, such as those for crosswalk width (8 feet instead 6 feet) and walk cycle timing (based on a speed of 3 feet per second instead of 4 feet).

Pedestrian Overpasses.
The guidelines included a requirement for elevators at overpasses and underpasses with elevation changes over 5 feet. Questions were raised about such a provision discouraging the installation of overpasses and underpasses.

The Board is deliberating on these and other issues raised in the comments and how they can be addressed through revisions to the draft. Once this work is complete, the Board will release a revised set of guidelines and provide another opportunity for public comment.

Report Issued on Audible Pedestrian Signals
The Board’s draft guidelines for public rights-of-way provide criteria for audible pedestrian signals, as does the latest edition of a key industry resource, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. New technologies are available that enable audible signals to be incorporated into standard pedestrian signal systems. These products have improvements over older technologies, such as voice features and signals that automatically adjust to the ambient noise level. However, there has been confusion over their installation criteria and compatibility with existing signal controllers. Their installation involves important considerations concerning sound adjustment and wiring, among others. A report funded by the Board is now available that provides guidance on available audible pedestrian signal products and the interface with traffic signal controllers. The report provides detailed descriptions of available technologies and current and upcoming traffic controllers in the U.S., wiring and power requirements, and lessons learned from existing installations. The report, “Interfacing Accessible Pedestrian Signals and Traffic Signal Controllers,” is available from the Board and posted on its website at: www.access-board.gov/research&training/APS/report.htm.