Architectural Barriers Act of 1968
The Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (ABA) is codified in 42 U.S. Code § 4151 through 4157 and defines how the Administrator of General Services is responsible for prescribing standards for the design, construction, and alteration of buildings that ensure individuals with physical disabilities have ready access and use of those buildings and facilities whenever possible. The ABA applies to facilities designed, built, altered, or leased with certain federal funds, and non-federal facilities which were built or altered with federal grants or loans. The ABA requirements also have defined exceptions and limitations.
The complete guidelines can be downloaded from the Government Printing Office’s page on 36 C.F.R. § 1191 – American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities; Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Guidelines.
The United States Access Board accepts complaints that buildings covered by the ABA do not meet these standards. If you know of a covered building that does not meet the guidelines, you can file a complaint on the Access Board’s Complaints Page. Complaints may be filed anonymously.