<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Greetings <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>I thought the following may be of interest to some of you! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Happy holidays! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Sherry Shirek<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> United States Access Board [mailto:access-board@service.govdelivery.com] <br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, December 14, 2016 8:21 AM<br><b>To:</b> sherrybeth7@gmail.com<br><b>Subject:</b> U.S. Access Board Updates ADA Guidelines for Buses and Vans<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><strong><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>U.S. Access Board Updates ADA Guidelines for Buses and Vans </span></strong><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width=132 height=161 src="cid:image001.jpg@01D255EF.4AE4F7B0" align=right alt="Image removed by sender. bus icon and cover of Federal Register" v:shapes="_x0000_s1026"><![endif]><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The U.S. Access Board has issued a <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYxMjE0LjY3NjE5MjExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MTIxNC42NzYxOTIxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MTE0MTk0JmVtYWlsaWQ9c2hlcnJ5YmV0aDdAZ21haWwuY29tJnVzZXJpZD1zaGVycnliZXRoN0BnbWFpbC5jb20mZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&100&&&https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/transportation/vehicles/update-of-the-guidelines-for-transportation-vehicles/final-updated-guidelines-for-buses-and-vans">final rule</a> updating sections of its accessibility guidelines for transportation vehicles covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The rule revises provisions in the guidelines that apply to buses and vans to enhance accessibility and to address industry trends and improvements in design and technology. The guidelines, which the Board originally published in 1991, apply to new or remanufactured vehicles (they also include provisions for rail vehicles that the Board will update separately).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The guidelines for buses and vans address boarding access, fare devices, interior circulation, seating and securement, signs, lighting, and announcement systems. The rule reduces the maximum slope for vehicle ramps because low floor buses are now ubiquitous in fixed route systems. New provisions also address level boarding systems and incorporate updated standards for wheelchair securement systems. The rule improves communication access by requiring that buses in fixed route systems with at least 100 buses have automated stop and route announcements that are visual as well as audible. Further, access to over-the-road buses, which are typically used in commuter and long-distance bus lines and charter services, is more comprehensively addressed. In addition to these substantive changes, the rule features a new format and numbering system. An <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYxMjE0LjY3NjE5MjExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MTIxNC42NzYxOTIxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MTE0MTk0JmVtYWlsaWQ9c2hlcnJ5YmV0aDdAZ21haWwuY29tJnVzZXJpZD1zaGVycnliZXRoN0BnbWFpbC5jb20mZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&101&&&https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/transportation/vehicles/update-of-the-guidelines-for-transportation-vehicles/final-regulatory-assessment">assessment</a> of the costs and benefits is included with the rule.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>"The Board is eager to issue this update which will improve usability aboard buses and vans by building upon the significant engineering and technological advancements that have occurred over the years," states Access Board Executive Director David M. Capozzi. "We will now turn our attention to updating the sections on rail vehicles."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Board previously issued versions of the rule in draft and <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYxMjE0LjY3NjE5MjExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MTIxNC42NzYxOTIxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MTE0MTk0JmVtYWlsaWQ9c2hlcnJ5YmV0aDdAZ21haWwuY29tJnVzZXJpZD1zaGVycnliZXRoN0BnbWFpbC5jb20mZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&102&&&https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=ATBCB-2010-0004">proposed</a> forms for public comment and has finalized the rule based on the feedback received. At a later date, the Board will propose updates to sections of the guidelines covering vehicles in fixed guideway systems, including rapid, light, commuter, and intercity rail, according to recommendations from an <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYxMjE0LjY3NjE5MjExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MTIxNC42NzYxOTIxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MTE0MTk0JmVtYWlsaWQ9c2hlcnJ5YmV0aDdAZ21haWwuY29tJnVzZXJpZD1zaGVycnliZXRoN0BnbWFpbC5jb20mZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&103&&&https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/transportation/vehicles/rail-vehicles-access-advisory-committee">advisory committee</a> it chartered, the Rail Vehicles Access Advisory Committee, which submitted its report to the Board last year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Board's vehicle guidelines serve as the basis for mandatory standards issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT) under the ADA. Compliance with the updated requirements for buses and vans will become mandatory once specified by DOT in a future update of its ADA standards.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>For further information, visit the Board's <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYxMjE0LjY3NjE5MjExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MTIxNC42NzYxOTIxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MTE0MTk0JmVtYWlsaWQ9c2hlcnJ5YmV0aDdAZ21haWwuY29tJnVzZXJpZD1zaGVycnliZXRoN0BnbWFpbC5jb20mZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&104&&&https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/transportation/vehicles/update-of-the-guidelines-for-transportation-vehicles">website</a> or contact Scott Windley at (202) 272-0025 (voice), (202), 272-0028 (TTY), or <a href="mailto:windley@access-board.gov">windley@access-board.gov</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><div id="mail_footer"><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span lang=EN><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></span></div><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: </span><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><br></span><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYxMjE0LjY3NjE5MjExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MTIxNC42NzYxOTIxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MTE0MTk0JmVtYWlsaWQ9c2hlcnJ5YmV0aDdAZ21haWwuY29tJnVzZXJpZD1zaGVycnliZXRoN0BnbWFpbC5jb20mZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&105&&&https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USACCESS/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1">Manage Preferences</a> | <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYxMjE0LjY3NjE5MjExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MTIxNC42NzYxOTIxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MTE0MTk0JmVtYWlsaWQ9c2hlcnJ5YmV0aDdAZ21haWwuY29tJnVzZXJpZD1zaGVycnliZXRoN0BnbWFpbC5jb20mZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&106&&&https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USACCESS/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1&login=sherrybeth7@gmail.com#unsubscribe">Unsubscribe</a> | <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYxMjE0LjY3NjE5MjExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MTIxNC42NzYxOTIxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MTE0MTk0JmVtYWlsaWQ9c2hlcnJ5YmV0aDdAZ21haWwuY29tJnVzZXJpZD1zaGVycnliZXRoN0BnbWFpbC5jb20mZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&107&&&https://subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com/">Help</a> </span><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>For more information about the content of this email, contact the <a href="mailto:news@access-board.gov">Access Board</a>. </span><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTYxMjE0LjY3NjE5MjExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE2MTIxNC42NzYxOTIxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3MTE0MTk0JmVtYWlsaWQ9c2hlcnJ5YmV0aDdAZ21haWwuY29tJnVzZXJpZD1zaGVycnliZXRoN0BnbWFpbC5jb20mZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&108&&&https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USACCESS/bulletins/174754d?reqfrom=share" target="_blank"><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=83 height=16 id="_x0000_i1026" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D255EF.4AE4F7B0" alt="Image removed by sender. 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