Making Public Buildings Accessible to the Handicapped

GAO discussed making buildings accessible to the handicapped. Previously, GAO reported on noncompliance with existing legislation in this area and recommended that the legislation be strengthened. Subsequent legislation has strengthened these acts by directing agencies to make buildings accessible, establishing minimum guidelines for accessibility, and developing appropriate technical assistance to oversee correction of architectural, communications, and transportation barriers. Problems which still exist include a lack of clear authority concerning the roles of the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board and the federal agencies involved due to overlapping and duplication of functions, funding problems, the lack of a quorum of the Board, lack of agency guidelines, lack of application of systems, and lack of agency improvement of internal systems of surveying and investigation. Some building projects and leasing activities are not covered by the program and some inspections are not being done. The Board is further hampered by a lack of independence and insufficient building recordkeeping systems. GAO recommended that Congress amend the Barriers Act to establish the Board as the principal authority for providing leadership and insuring compliance, requiring consultation and concurrence that agency standards conform to its guidelines, requiring the Board, not General Services Administration, to report annually to Congress on all reviews of standards as well as on all federal activities pertaining to standards issued. The Board should be recognized as an independent agency with a separate budget presentation. GAO also recommended that the Board issue minimum guidelines and requirements, work with the Postal Service to resolve the difference in dealing with lease actions, and work with the federal agencies to develop their compliance systems.