The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board issued guidelines to provide guidance to the Department of Justice in establishing accessibility standards for new construction and alterations in places of public accommodation and commercial facilities, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The guidelines are to ensure that newly constructed and altered buildings and facilities are readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities in terms of architecture and design, and communication. The standards established by the Department of Justice must be consistent with the ATBCB guidelines.
The National Council on Disabilities is an independent Federal Agency which participated in originating and developing the ADA. They have an ADA Watch program which has the goals: observing the adequacy of the implementation providing a bright spot of public exposure for pockets of excellence and pockets of outrage educating the public and interested parties about innovative and effective implementation of ADA and blatant disregard of ADA mandates informing the President and Congress of the progress of implementation and making recommendations to the President and to Congress for ADA related policy changes.... The ADA Watch will monitor and assess the progress of federal agencies in issuing regulations, providing technical assistance, and establishing and utilizing enforcement mechanisms." (FOCUS, NCD Newsletter, Fall, 1990) Presentation and Written Comments to the UPS. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board 3/15/9.