LAWS CONCERNING THE ACCESS BOARD
     _________________________________________________________________
   
  Introduction
  
   This is a compilation of the laws which affect the United States
   Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access
   Board). Over the years, all of the Access Board's activities have had
   a single goal: to enable persons with disabilities to live and work in
   society. If persons with disabilities are to be able to live and work
   alongside their peers without disabilities, then the built environment
   must be designed and constructed to accommodate the needs of everyone.
   
   This publication contains sections of four laws. The first is the
   Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (ABA), as amended, which mandates
   that buildings or other facilities financed with certain Federal funds
   are accessible to persons with disabilities. The second law in this
   publication is Section 502 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
   amended, which establishes and sets out the functions of the Access
   Board. The fourth, is the section of the Americans with Disabilities
   Act of 1990 (ADA), which significantly expanded the role of the Access
   Board. Under the ADA, the Access Board is responsible for developing
   accessibility guidelines for entities covered by the Act and for
   providing technical assistance to individuals and organizations on the
   removal of architectural, transportation, and communication barriers.
   Finally, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires the Board to
   develop and maintain accessibility guidelines for telecommunications
   and customer premises equipment.
   
   These four laws form the basis for building an accessible environment
   for all people. The Access Board remains committed to achieving this
   goal, as reflected in the agency's mission statement: "Enhance the
   quality of life by ensuring accessibility and broadening public
   awareness that access makes economic and practical sense for all."
   
   December 1996
     _________________________________________________________________
   
               Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, as amended
                     42 U.S.C. &#21;&#21; 4151 et seq.
                                      
   4151. Definitions
   
   As used in this chapter, the term "building" means any building or
   facility (other than (A) a privately owned residential structure not
   leased by the Government for subsidized housing programs and (B) any
   building or facility on a military installation designed and
   constructed primarily for use by able bodied military personnel) the
   intended use for which either will require that such building or
   facility be accessible to the public, or may result in the employment
   or residence therein of physically handicapped persons, which building
   or facility is--
   
   (1) to be constructed or altered by or on behalf of the United States;
       (2) to be leased in whole or in part by the United States after
       August 12, 1968;
       (3) to be financed in whole or in part by a grant or a loan made
       by the United States after August 12, 1968, if such building or
       facility is subject to standards for design, construction, or
       alteration issued under authority of the law authorizing such
       grant or loan; or
       (4) to be constructed under authority of the National Capital
       Transportation Act of 1960, the National Capital Transportation
       Act of 1965, or title III of the Washington Metropolitan Area
       Transit Regulation Compact.
       
   4152. Standards for design, construction, and alteration of buildings;
   Secretary of Health and Human Services
   
   The Administrator of General Services, in consultation with the
   Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall prescribe standards for
   the design, construction, and alteration of buildings (other than
   residential structures subject to this chapter and buildings,
   structures, and facilities of the Department of Defense and of the
   United States Postal Service subject to this chapter) to insure
   whenever possible that physically handicapped persons will have ready
   access to, and use of, such buildings.
   
   4153. Standards for design, construction, and alteration of buildings;
   Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
   
   The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in consultation with
   the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall prescribe standards
   for the design, construction, and alteration of buildings which are
   residential structures subject to this chapter to insure whenever
   possible that physically handicapped persons will have ready access
   to, and use of, such buildings.
   
   4154. Standards for design, construction, and alteration of buildings;
   Secretary of Defense
   
   The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Health
   and Human Services, shall prescribe standards for the design,
   construction, and alteration of buildings, structures, and facilities
   of the Department of Defense subject to this chapter to insure
   whenever possible that physically handicapped persons will have ready
   access to, and use of, such buildings.
   
   4154a. Standards for design, construction, and alteration of
   buildings;
   United States Postal Service
   
   The United States Postal Service, in consultation with the Secretary
   of Health and Human Services, shall prescribe such standards for the
   design, construction, and alteration of its buildings to insure
   whenever possible that physically handicapped persons will have ready
   access to, and use of, such buildings.
   
   4155. Effective date of standards
   
   Every building designed, constructed, or altered after the effective
   date of a standard issued under this chapter which is applicable to
   such building, shall be designed, constructed, or altered in
   accordance with such standard.
   
   4156. Waiver and modification of standards
   
   The Administrator of General Services, with respect to standards
   issued under section 4152 of this title, and the United States Postal
   Service with respect to standards issued under section 4154a of this
   title, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, with
   respect to standards issued under section 4153 of this title, and the
   Secretary of Defense with respect to standards issued under section
   4154 of this title, --
   (1) is authorized to modify or waive any such standard, on a case-
       by-case basis, upon application made by the head of the
       department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States
       concerned, and upon a determination by the Administrator or
       Secretary, as the case may be, that such modification or waiver is
       clearly necessary, and
       (2) shall establish a system of continuing surveys and
       investigations to insure compliance with such standards.
       
   4157. Reports to Congress and congressional committees
   
   (a) The Administrator of General Services shall report to Congress
   during the first week of January of each year on his activities and
   those of other departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the
   Federal Government under this chapter during the preceding fiscal year
   including, but not limited to, standards issued, revised, amended, or
   repealed under this chapter and all case-by-case modifications, and
   waivers of such standards during such year.
   
   (b) The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
   established by section 792 of Title 29 shall report to the Public
   Works and Transportation Committee of the House of Representatives and
   the Public Works Committee of the Senate during the first week of
   January of each year on its activities and actions to insure
   compliance with the standards prescribed under this chapter.
     _________________________________________________________________
   
         Section 502 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended
                            29 U.S.C. &#21; 792
                                      
   792. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
   
   (a) Establishment; membership; Chairperson; vice-chairperson; term of
   office; termination of membership; reappointment; compensation and
   travel expenses; bylaws; quorum requirements
   
   (1) There is established within the Federal Government the
   Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
   (hereinafter referred to as the "Access Board") which shall be
   composed as follows:
   (A) Thirteen members shall be appointed by the President from among
       members of the general public of whom at least a majority shall be
       individuals with disabilities.
       (B) The remaining members shall be the heads of each of the
       following departments or agencies (or their designees whose
       positions are executive level IV or higher):
        (i) Department of Health and Human Services.
            (ii) Department of Transportation.
            (iii) Department of Housing and Urban Development.
            (iv) Department of Labor.
            (v) Department of the Interior.
            (vi) Department of Defense.
            (vii) Department of Justice
            (viii) General Services Administration.
            (ix) Department of Veterans Affairs.
            (x) United States Postal Service.
            (xi) Department of Education.
            (xii) Department of Commerce.
       
   The Chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Access Board shall be
   elected by majority vote of the members of the Access Board to serve
   for terms of one year. When the chairperson is a member of the general
   public, the vice-chairperson shall be a Federal official; and when the
   chairperson is a Federal official, the vice-chairperson shall be a
   member of the general public. Upon the expiration of the term as
   chairperson of a member who is a Federal official, the subsequent
   chairperson shall be a member of the general public; and vice versa.
   
   (2)(A) (i) The term of office of each appointed member of the Access
   Board shall be 4 years, except as provided in clause (ii). Each year,
   the terms of office of at least three appointed members of the board
   shall expire.
        (ii)(I) One member appointed for a term beginning December 4,
            1992 shall serve for a term of 3 years.
            (II) One member appointed for a term beginning December 4,
            1993 shall serve for a term of 2 years.
            (III) One member appointed for a term beginning December 4,
            1994 shall serve for a term of 1 year.
            (IV) Members appointed for terms beginning before December 4,
            1992 shall serve for terms of 3 years.
       (B) A member whose term has expired may continue to serve until a
       successor has been appointed.
       (C) A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the
       remainder of the term to which that member's predecessor was
       appointed.
       
   (3) If any appointed member of the Access Board becomes a Federal
   employee, such member
   
   may continue as a member of the Access Board for not longer than the
   sixty-day period beginning on the date the member becomes a Federal
   employee.
   
   (4) No individual appointed under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection
   who has served as a member of the Access Board may be reappointed to
   the Access Board more than once unless such individual has not served
   on the Access Board for a period of two years prior to the effective
   date of such individual's appointment.
   
   (5)(A) Members of the Access Board who are not regular full-time
   employees of the United States shall, while serving on the business of
   the Access Board, be entitled to receive compensation at rates fixed
   by the President, but not to exceed the daily equivalent of the rate
   of pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of
   Title 5, including travel time, for each day they are engaged in the
   performance of their duties as members of the Access Board; and shall
   be entitled to reimbursement for travel, subsistence, and other
   necessary expenses incurred by them in carrying out their duties under
   this section.
   (B) Members of the Access Board who are employed by the Federal
       Government shall serve without compensation, but shall be
       reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses
       incurred by them in carrying out their duties under this section.
       (6)(A) The Access Board shall establish such bylaws and other
       rules as may be appropriate to enable the Access Board to carry
       out its functions under this chapter.
       (B) The bylaws shall include quorum requirements. The quorum
       requirements shall provide that (i) a proxy may not be counted for
       purposes of establishing a quorum, and (ii) not less than half the
       members required for a quorum shall be members of the general
       public appointed under paragraph (1)(A).
       
   (b) Functions
   
   It shall be the function of the Access Board to --
   
   (1) ensure compliance with the standards prescribed pursuant to the
   Act entitled "An Act to ensure that certain buildings financed with
   Federal funds are so designed and constructed as to be accessible to
   the physically handicapped", approved August 12, 1968 (commonly known
   as the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968; (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.)
   (including the application of such Act to the United States Postal
   Service), including enforcing all standards under such Act and
   ensuring that all waivers and modifications to the standards are based
   on findings of fact and are not inconsistent with the provisions of
   this section;
   
   (2) develop advisory guidelines for, and provide appropriate technical
   assistance to, individuals or entities with rights or duties under
   regulations prescribed pursuant to this subchapter or titles II and
   III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12131 et
   seq. and 12181 et seq.) with respect to overcoming architectural,
   transportation, and communication barriers;
   
   (3) establish and maintain minimum guidelines and requirements for the
   standards issued pursuant to the Act commonly known as the
   Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 [42 U.S.C.A. &#21; 4151 et seq.]
   and titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
   [42 U.S.C.A. &#21; 12131 et seq. and &#21; 12181 et seq.];
   
   (4) promote accessibility throughout all segments of society;
   
   (5) investigate and examine alternative approaches to the
   architectural, transportation, communication, and attitudinal barriers
   confronting individuals with disabilities, particularly with respect
   to telecommunications devices, public buildings and monuments, parks
   and parklands, public transportation (including air, water, and
   surface transportation, whether interstate, foreign, intrastate, or
   local), and residential and institutional housing;
   
   (6) determine what measures are being taken by Federal, State, and
   local governments and by other public or nonprofit agencies to
   eliminate the barriers described in paragraph (5);
   
   (7) promote the use of the International Accessibility Symbol in all
   public facilities that are in compliance with the standards prescribed
   by the Administrator of General Services, the Secretary of Defense,
   and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to the Act
   commonly known as the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 [42 U.S.C.A.
   &#21; 4151 et seq.];
   
   (8) make to the President and to the Congress reports that shall
   describe in detail the results of its investigations under paragraphs
   (5) and (6);
   
   (9) make to the President and to the Congress such recommendations for
   legislative and administrative changes as the Access Board determines
   to be necessary or desirable to eliminate the barriers described in
   paragraph (5); and
   
   (10) ensure that public conveyances, including rolling stock, are
   readily accessible to, and usable by, individuals with physical
   disabilities.
   
   (c) Additional functions; transportation barriers and housing needs;
   transportation and housing plans and proposals
   
   The Access Board shall also (1)(A) determine how and to what extent
   transportation barriers impede the mobility of individuals with
   disabilities and aged individuals with disabilities and consider ways
   in which travel expenses in connection with transportation to and from
   work
   
   for individuals with disabilities can be met or subsidized when such
   individuals are unable to use mass transit systems or need special
   equipment in private transportation, and (B) consider the housing
   needs of individuals with disabilities; (2) determine what measures
   are being taken, especially by public and other nonprofit agencies and
   groups having an interest in and a capacity to deal with such
   problems, (A) to eliminate barriers from public transportation systems
   (including vehicles used in such systems), and to prevent their
   incorporation in new or expanded transportation systems, and (B) to
   make housing available and accessible to individuals with disabilities
   or to meet sheltered housing needs; and (3) prepare plans and
   proposals for such further actions as may be necessary to the goals of
   adequate transportation and housing for individuals with disabilitirs,
   including proposals for bringing together in a cooperative effort,
   agencies, organizations, and groups already working toward such goals
   or whose cooperation is essential to effective and comprehensive
   action.
   
   (d) Investigations; hearings; orders; administrative procedure
   applicable; final orders; judicial review; civil action; intervention;
   development of standards; technical assistance to persons or entities
   affected
   
   (1) The Access Board shall conduct investigations, hold public
   hearings, and issue such orders as it deems necessary to ensure
   compliance with the provisions of the Acts cited in subsection (b) of
   this section. Except as provided in paragraph (3) of subsection (e) of
   this section, the provisions of subchapter II of chapter 5, and
   chapter 7 of Title 5 shall apply to procedures under this section, and
   an order of compliance issued by the Access Board shall be a final
   order for purposes of judicial review. Any such order affecting any
   Federal department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States
   shall be final and binding on such department, agency, or
   instrumentality. An order of compliance may include the withholding or
   suspension of Federal funds with respect to any building or public
   conveyance or rolling stock found not to be in compliance with
   standards enforced under this section. Pursuant to chapter 7 of Title
   5, any complainant or participant in a proceeding under this
   subsection may obtain review of a final order issued in such
   proceeding.
   
   (2) The executive director is authorized, at the direction of the
   Access Board--
   
   (A) to bring a civil action in any appropriate United States district
   court to enforce, in whole or in part, any final order of the Access
   Board under this subsection; and
   
   (B) to intervene, appear, and participate, or to appear as amicus
   curiae, in an court of the United States or in any court of a State in
   civil actions that relate to this section or to the Architectural
   Barriers Act of 1968 [42 U.S.C.A. &#21; 4151 et seq.].
   
   Except as provided in section 518(a) of Title 28, relating to
   litigation before the Supreme Court, the executive director may appear
   for and represent the Access Board in any civil litigation brought
   under this section.
   
   (3) Repealed.
   
   (e) Appointment of executive director, administrative law judges, and
   other personnel; provisions applicable to administrative law judges;
   authority and duties of executive director; finality of orders of
   compliance
   
   (1) There shall be appointed by the Access Board an executive director
   and such other professional and clerical personnel as are necessary to
   carry out its functions under this chapter.
   
   The Access Board is authorized to appoint as many administrative law
   judges as are necessary for proceedings required to be conducted under
   this section. The provisions applicable to administrative law judges
   appointed under section 3105 of Title 5 shall apply to administrative
   law judges appointed under this subsection.
   
   (2) The Executive Director shall exercise general supervision over all
   personnel employed by the Access Board (other than administrative law
   judges and their assistants). The Executive Director shall have final
   authority on behalf of the Access Board, with respect to the
   investigation of alleged noncompliance and in the issuance of formal
   complaints before the Access Board, and shall have such other duties
   as the Access Board may prescribe.
   
   (3) For the purpose of this section, an order of compliance issued by
   an administrative law judge shall be deemed to be an order of the
   Access Board and shall be the final order for the purpose of judicial
   review.
   
   (f) Technical, administrative, or other assistance; appointment,
   compensation, and travel expenses of advisory and technical experts
   and consultants
   
   (1)(A) In carrying out the technical assistance responsibilities of
   the Access Board under this section, the Board may enter into an
   interagency agreement with another Federal department or agency.
   
   (B) Any funds appropriated to such a department or agency for the
   purpose of providing technical assistance may be transferred to the
   Access Board. Any funds appropriated to the Access Board for the
   purpose of providing such technical assistance may be transferred to
   such department or agency.
   
   (C) The Access Board may arrange to carry out the technical assistance
   responsibilities of the Board under this section through such other
   departments and agencies for such periods as the Board determines to
   be appropriate.
   
   (D) The Access Board shall establish a procedure to ensure separation
   of its compliance and technical assistance responsibilities under this
   section.
   
   (2) The departments or agencies specified in subsection (a) of this
   section shall make available to the Access Board such technical,
   administrative, or other assistance as it may require to carry out its
   functions under this section, and the Access Board may appoint such
   other advisers, technical experts, and consultants as it deems
   necessary to assist it in carrying out its functions under this
   section. Special advisory and technical experts and consultants
   appointed pursuant to this paragraph shall, while performing their
   functions under this section, be entitled to receive compensation at
   rates fixed by the Chairperson, but not exceeding the daily equivalent
   of the rate of pay for level 4 of the Senior Executive Service
   Schedule under section 5382 of Title 5, including travel time, and
   while serving away from their homes or regular places of business they
   may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
   subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of such Title 5 for persons
   in the Government service employed intermittently.
   
   (g) Reports to Congress; reports on transportation barriers and
   housing needs
   
   (1) The Access Board shall, at the end of each fiscal year, report its
   activities during the preceding fiscal year to the Congress. Such
   report shall include an assessment of the extent of compliance with
   the Acts cited in subsection (b) of this section, along with a
   description and analysis of investigations made and actions taken by
   the Access Board, and the reports and recommendations described in
   paragraphs (8) and (9) of such subsection.
   
   (2) The Access Board shall, at the same time that the Access Board
   transmits the report required under section 7(b) of the Act commonly
   known as the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4157(b)),
   transmit the report to the Committee on Education and Labor of the
   House of Representatives and the Committee on Labor and Human
   Resources of the Senate.
   
   (h) Report to President and Congress on assessments of State
   expenditures to provide full access to programs and activities; grants
   and contracts to aid Board in carrying out its functions; report to
   Congressional committees on accessibility of Federally funded
   buildings; joint transmittal
   
   (1) The Access Board may make grants to, or enter into contracts with,
   public or private organizations to carry out its duties under
   subsections (b) and (c) of this section.
   
   (2)(A) The Access Board may accept, hold, administer, and utilize
   gifts, devises, and bequests of property, both real and personal, for
   the purpose of aiding and facilitating the functions of the Access
   Board under paragraphs (5) and (7) of subsection (b) of this section.
   Gifts and bequests of money and proceeds from sales of other property
   received as gifts, devises, or bequests shall be deposited in the
   Treasury and shall be disbursed upon the order of the Chairperson.
   Property accepted pursuant to this section, and the proceeds thereof,
   shall be used as nearly as possible in accordance with the terms of
   the gifts, devises, or bequests. For purposes of Federal income,
   estate, or gift taxes, property accepted under this section shall be
   considered as a gift, devise, or bequest to the United States.
   
   (B) The Access Board shall publish regulations setting forth the
   criteria the Board will use in determining whether the acceptance of
   gifts, devises, and bequests of property, both real and personal,
   would reflect unfavorably upon the ability of the Board or any
   employee to carry out the responsibilities or official duties of the
   Board in a fair and objective manner, or would compromise the
   integrity of or the appearance of the integrity of a Government
   program or any official involved in that program.
   
   (3) The Access Board shall, at the same time that the Access Board
   transmits the report required under section 7(b) of the Act entitled
   "An Act to ensure that certain buildings financed with Federal funds
   are so designated and constructed as to be accessible to the
   physically handicapped", approved August 12, 1968 (commonly known as
   the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968) [42 U.S.C.A. &#21; 4157(b)]
   transmit that report to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of
   the Senate and the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of
   Representatives.
   
   (i) Authorization of appropriations
   
   There are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying
   out the duties and functions of the Access Board under this section
   such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1993
   through 1997.
     _________________________________________________________________
   
         Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
                           42 U.S.C. &#21; 12204
                                      
   12204. Regulations by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers
   Compliance Board
   
   (a) Issuance of guidelines
   
   Not later than 9 months after July 26, 1990, the Architectural and
   Transportation Barriers Compliance Board shall issue minimum
   guidelines that shall supplement the existing Minimum Guidelines and
   Requirements for Accessible Design for purposes of subchapters II and
   III of this chapter.
   
   (b) Contents of guidelines
   
   The supplemental guidelines issued under subsection (a) of this
   section shall establish additional requirements, consistent with this
   chapter, to ensure that buildings, facilities, rail passenger cars,
   and vehicles are accessible, in terms of architecture and design,
   transportation, and communication, to individuals with disabilities.
   
   (c) Qualified historic properties
       (1) In general
       The supplemental guidelines issued under subsection (a) of this
       section shall include procedures and requirements for alterations
       that will threaten or destroy the historic significance of
       qualified historic buildings and facilities as defined in
       4.1.7(1)(a) of the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards.
       (2) Sites eligible for listing in National Register
       With respect to alterations of buildings or facilities that are
       eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places
       under the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470 et
       seq.), the guidelines described in paragraph (1) shall, at a
       minimum, maintain the procedures and requirements established in
       4.1.7(1) and (2) of the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards.
       (3) Other sites
       With respect to alterations of buildings or facilities designated
       as historic under State or local law, the guidelines described in
       paragraph (1) shall establish procedures equivalent to those
       established by 4.1.7(1)(b) and (c) of the Uniform Federal
       Accessibility Standards, and shall require, at a minimum,
       compliance with the requirements established in 4.1.7(2) of such
       standards.
       
   Since 1973, the United States Access Board has been the only
   independent Federal agency whose primary mission is accessibility for
   people with disabilities.
   
   The Access Board has 25 members. The President appoints thirteen
   members from the general public for four-year terms. The remaining
   twelve represent the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Education,
   Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Interior,
   Justice, Labor, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs; the General
   Services Administration and the Postal Service.
   
   U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
   Suite 1000, 1331 F Street, NW
   Washington, DC 20004-1111
   (202) 272-5434 (voice)
   (202) 272-5449 (TTY)
   (202) 272-5447 (FAX)&#26;
     _________________________________________________________________
   
                       Telecommunications Act of 1996
                       47 U.S.C. &#21; &#21; 153, 255
                                      
   153. Definitions
   
   Customer Premises Equipment- The term `customer premises equipment'
       means equipment employed on the premises of a person (other than a
       carrier) to originate, route, or terminate telecommunications.
       Telecommunications- The term `telecommunications' means the
       transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of
       information of the user's choosing, without change in the form or
       content of the information as sent and received.
       Telecommunications Equipment- The term `telecommunications
       equipment' means equipment, other than customer premises
       equipment, used by a carrier to provide telecommunications
       services, and includes software integral to such equipment
       (including upgrades).
       Telecommunications Service- The term `telecommunications service'
       means the offering of telecommunications for a fee directly to the
       public, or to such classes of users as to be effectively available
       directly to the public, regardless of the facilities used.
       
   255. Access by persons with Disabilities.
   
   (a) DEFINITIONS- As used in this section--
        (1) DISABILITY- The term `disability' has the meaning given to it
            by section 3(2)(A) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of
            1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102(2)(A)).
            (2) READILY ACHIEVABLE- The term `readily achievable' has the
            meaning given to it by section 301(9) of that Act (42 U.S.C.
            12181(9)).
       (b) MANUFACTURING- A manufacturer of telecommunications equipment
       or customer premises equipment shall ensure that the equipment is
       designed, developed, and fabricated to be accessible to and usable
       by individuals with disabilities, if readily achievable.
       (c) TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES- A provider of telecommunications
       service shall ensure that the service is accessible to and usable
       by individuals with disabilities, if readily achievable.
       (d) COMPATIBILITY- Whenever the requirements of subsections (b)
       and (c) are not readily achievable, such a manufacturer or
       provider shall ensure that the equipment or service is compatible
       with existing peripheral devices or specialized customer premises
       equipment commonly used by individuals with disabilities to
       achieve access, if readily achievable.
       (e) GUIDELINES- Within 18 months after the date of enactment of
       the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the Architectural and
       Transportation Barriers Compliance Board shall develop guidelines
       for accessibility of telecommunications equipment and customer
       premises equipment in conjunction with the Commission. The Board
       shall review and update the guidelines periodically.
       (f) NO ADDITIONAL PRIVATE RIGHTS AUTHORIZED- Nothing in this
       section shall be construed to authorize any private right of
       action to enforce any requirement of this section or any
       regulation thereunder. The Commission shall have exclusive
       jurisdiction with respect to any complaint under this section.

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