Access Board Research Program

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href="/contact/"><span>Contact Us</span></a> </li> </ul> <div class="usa-nav__secondary"> <ul class="usa-nav__secondary-links"> <li class="usa-nav__secondary-item"> <a href="/es/">En Espa帽ol</a> </li> </ul> <form id="search_form" class="usa-search usa-search--small" action="/search/" accept-charset="UTF-8" method="get"> <input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓" /> <input name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="usab" /> <div role="search"> <label class="usa-sr-only" for="extended-search-field-small">Search</label> <input class="usa-input usagov-search-autocomplete" id="extended-search-field-small" type="search" name="query" autocomplete="off"> <button class="usa-button" type="submit"> <img src="/img/usa-icons-bg/search--white.svg" class="usa-search__submit-icon" alt="Search"> </button> </div> </form> </div> </div> </nav> </header> <div id="section-title" class="bg-primary-darker usa-content font-serif-md padding-y-2"> <div class="grid-container text-center maxw-desktop"> <h1 class="text-normal text-white margin-0"> Access Board Research Program </h1> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="grid-container maxw-desktop"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap usa-prose"> <main id="main-content"class="desktop:grid-col-9 margin-y-5"> <div id="content"> <p><img src="/images/stock/research.jpeg" class="img-right shadow radius-lg" alt="stack of papers with various charts" /></p> <p>The Access Board鈥檚 research program is focused on the study of accessibility relating to architecture and design, communication, and transportation. A key mission of the Access Board is developing and maintaining accessibility guidelines and standards under several different laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This includes design requirements for facilities in the private and public sectors, transportation vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and federal electronic and information technology. Most Access Board research projects are designed to develop information for its use in writing or updating these design criteria. The Access Board may fund the development of technical assistance and training materials useful to its audience, including designers, specifiers, and consumers. However, research reports and guidance materials on this page were prepared under contract to the Access Board by independent contractors. As such, they represent the analysis and views of the contractors only and are not a statement of Access Board policy or position.</p> <p>The Access Board welcomes information on research initiatives related to accessibility and accessible design. The Access Board maintains a strong interest in coordinating research with other entities and in exploring potential partnerships.</p> <p>For more information about the Access Board鈥檚 research program, email <a href="mailto:ta@access-board.gov">ta@access-board.gov</a>.</p> <h2 id="completed-research">Completed Research</h2> <h3 id="building-elements-and-spaces">Building Elements and Spaces</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/research/building/dimensional-tolerances/">Dimensional Tolerances in Construction and for Surface Accessibility</a> (2011)</li> <li><a href="/research/building/indoor-environmental-quality/">Indoor Environmental Quality</a> (2006)</li> <li><a href="/research/building/toilet-bathing-facilities-assisted-transfers/">Toilet and Bathing Facilities for Assisted Transfers: Design Best Practices</a> (2001)</li> </ul> <h3 id="communication-and-information">Communication and Information</h3> <ul> <li><a href="http://trace.wisc.edu/world/kiosks/itms/index.html">Accessible Information/Transaction Machines</a> (2000) Trace Research and Development Center</li> <li><a href="/research/communication/assistive-listening-systems/">Assistive Listening Systems</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.ncaonline.org/resources/articles/exhibitdesignlowvision.shtml">Exhibit Design Relating to Low Vision and Blindness Summary Report</a> (2011) National Center on Accessibility</li> </ul> <h3 id="exterior-surfaces">Exterior Surfaces</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/research/exterior-surfaces/surface-roughness-standards/">Development of Surface Roughness Standards for Pathways Used by Wheelchair Users: Final Report</a> (2014)</li> <li><a href="/research/exterior-services/engineered-wood-fiber/playground-surfaces-2003/">Engineered Wood Fiber - Play Surfaces</a> (2003) <ul> <li><a href="/research/exterior-services/engineered-wood-fiber/playground-surfaces-2004/">Play Surfaces: Installation and Serviceability Results</a> (2004)</li> <li><a href="/research/exterior-services/engineered-wood-fiber/trails/">Accessible Trails: Installation and Serviceability Results</a> (2006)</li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="https://hdl.handle.net/2022/16892">A Longitudinal Study of Playground Surfaces to Evaluate Accessibility</a> (2013) National Center on Accessibility</li> <li><a href="https://hdl.handle.net/2022/17381">National Trail Surfaces Study: Final Report</a> (2014) National Center on Accessibility</li> </ul> <h3 id="human-measures-mobility-aids">Human Measures/ Mobility Aids</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/research/human/anthropometry-1997/">Anthropometry for Persons with Disabilities</a> (1997)</li> <li><a href="http://idea.ap.buffalo.edu/projects/anthropometry/">Anthropometry of Wheeled Mobility Project</a> (2011) IDEA Center</li> <li><a href="/research/human/guidelines-aircraft/">Guidelines for Aircraft Boarding Chairs: Technical Paper</a> (1987)</li> <li><a href="http://herl.pitt.edu/ab/">The Impact of Transfer Setup on the Performance of Independent Transfers - Phase I</a> (2011) VA Human Engineering Research Laboratory</li> <li><a href="http://herl.pitt.edu/ab/">Independent Wheelchair Transfers in the Built Environment: How Transfer Setup Impacts Performance - Phase II</a> (2015) VA Human Engineering Research Laboratory</li> <li><a href="/research/human/wheelchair-seat-height">Analysis of Low Wheelchair Seat Heights and Transfer Surfaces for Medical Diagnostic Equipment</a>) (2022) Clive D鈥橲ouza, University of Pittsburgh</li> </ul> <h3 id="passenger-vessels">Passenger Vessels</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/research/pv/access-persons-disabilities/">Access for Persons with Disabilities to Passenger Vessels and Shore Facilities</a>: The Impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; Final Report, July 12, 1996; Volpe National Transportation Systems Center</li> <li><a href="/research/pv/weathertight-doors/">ADA Access to Passenger Vessels: Finding Safety Equivalence Solutions for Weathertight Doors with Coamings: Background and History</a> (2004/2005)</li> </ul> <h3 id="public-rights-of-way">Public Rights-of-Way</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/research/prow/common-problems-aps-installation/">Common Problems Arising in the Installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals</a> (2009)</li> <li><a href="/research/prow/interfacing-aps/">Interfacing Audible Pedestrian Signals and Traffic Signal Controllers</a> (2003)</li> <li><a href="/research/prow/roundabouts/">Pedestrian Access to Modern Roundabouts</a> (2001)</li> <li><a href="/research/prow/literature-roundabout-signalization/">Synthesis of Literature Relevant to Roundabout Signalization to Provide Pedestrian Access</a> (2007)</li> <li><a href="/research/prow/visual-detection-detectable-warning/">Visual Detection of Detectable Warning Materials by Pedestrians with Visual Impairments</a> (2006)</li> </ul> <h3 id="transportation">Transportation</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/aircraft/">Study on Aircraft Wheelchair Restraint Systems</a> (2021)</li> </ul> </div> </main> <aside class="desktop:grid-col-3 margin-y-5"> <div class="padding-2 border bg-white shadow"> <div class="text-center"> <img src="/images/stock/research.svg" class="maxh-15" alt="" /> <div class="text-center"> <h4 class="padding-1 bg-secondary-darker text-white">Research</h4> <span class="font-body-3xs">For more information on the Board鈥檚 research program, contact Alison Levy</span> <br> <ul class="usa-list usa-list--unstyled padding-top-1 font-body-3xs"> <li class="padding-bottom-0">(202) 272-0026 (v)</li> <li class="padding-bottom-0">(202) 272-0027 (tty)</li> <li class="padding-bottom-0"><a href="mailto:ta@access-board.gov">ta@access-board.gov</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </aside> </div> </div> </div><footer class="usa-footer site-footer" role="contentinfo"> <div class="footer-section-bottom bg-base-lighter"> <div class="grid-container maxw-desktop"> <div class="grid-row padding-3"> <div class="tablet:grid-col text-center"> <span class="logo-links"> <a href="/guidance.html">Guidance Documents</a>   <a href="/about/policy/accessibility.html">Accessibility</a>   <a href="/about/par.html">Budget and Performance</a>   <a href="/about/no-fear-data.html">No FEAR Act Data</a>   <a href="/about/policy/foia.html" title="Freedom of Information Act">FOIA</a>   <a href="/about/policy/privacy.html" title="Privacy Policy">Privacy</a>   <a href="https://osc.gov/agency" title="U.S. Office of Special Counsel">OSC.gov</a>   <a href="https://usa.gov" title="Have a question about government services?">USA.gov</a> <br /> <a class="footer-logo media_link" href="/"> <img src="/images/usab-logo.svg" alt="usab logo" width="50" /> </a> </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> <script src="https://content.govdelivery.com/overlay/js/1997.js"></script>  <script id="_fed_an_ua_tag" src="https://dap.digitalgov.gov/Universal-Federated-Analytics-Min.js?agency=U.S. Access Board" ></script>  <script src="/assets/js/uswds.min.js"></script> <script src="/assets/stickyfilljs/stickyfill.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/anchor-rsd.js"></script> <script src="/assets/video-js/video.min.js"></script> <script src="/assets/youtube-video-js/Youtube.min.js"></script> <script src="/assets/jquery/jquery.min.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/jquery.dataTables.min.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/natural.js"></script> <script src="/assets/swiper/swiper-bundle.js "></script> <script src="/assets/jquery-toast-plugin/jquery.toast.min.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/toast-rsd.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/swiper-rsd.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/datatables.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/external-links.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/anchorify.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/app.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/menu.js"></script> <script src="/assets/fontawesome-free/js/all.min.js"></script> <script src="/assets/dompurify/purify.min.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/toc-subnav.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/opendetails.js"></script> </body> </html>

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Access Board Research Program