American Streets May Soon Get Their First Accessible Design Standards from the Feds

In early August, officials at the U.S. Access Board quietly published the Public Right of Way Access Guidelines Final Rule to the federal register, taking a critical step towards solidifying the nation's first-ever set of federal accessibility design guidelines that are specific to the transportation realm. And if the departments of Justice and Transportation adopt the sprawling 235-page guidebook, it could become a set of formal standards that carry the force of law, giving advocates more tools hold governments accountable for not providing basic infrastructure like wheelchair ramps on sidewalks or accessible push buttons at crosswalks.