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Universal Accessibility Conference Hailed a Success

by Ola

Printed in Access Currents
Vol. 3, No. 4, July / August 1997

Reprinted with permission from the U.S. Access Board.

Over 400 architects, designers, advocates, and other professionals interested in accessible design attended the Universal Accessibility Conference sponsored by the Access Board and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in Washington D.C. on June 12 and 13. Attorney General Janet Reno provided the keynote address at the conference. In her introduction, Reno drew heavily upon personal experiences with her mother, who designed the family home in south Florida where Reno grew up. Seeing the house take shape from her mother's plans, she said, inspired her every day and gave her "a very great regard for architects across this land." Despite her love for the house however, Reno remarked, her mother "was in a wheelchair quite often" in the last year or two of her life. Since she hadn't designed the house to be accessible, said Reno, "I cursed it every single day."

The Attorney General has been a consistent supporter of disability rights, something which she again made clear in her comments at the conference. "There should be no doubt what's at stake here. It is nothing less than assuring that our nation's future is barrier free and open to all. ...Universal accessibility is not about special designs to accommodate people with disabilities. It is about designing buildings so that everyone can use them... When buildings are designed from the ground up with universal accessibility in mind, we benefit in so many ways at such very little cost."

The Attorney General also recognized the value of the event as a federal-private partnership. "This conference," said Reno, "is a fine example of what our nation's disability rights laws are all about. Private parties and government working together to ensure that all Americans, regardless of their disabilities, have full and equal access to all that America has to offer."

Access Board Chairman Patrick D. Cannon agrees. "More than just another conference, this was a truly hisitoric event," said Cannon at the Access Board meeting July 13. "Building on the good will, cooperation, and understanding developed in the Board's two-year ADAAG review effort, the outcomes of this conference will point the way to a future of successful and effective collaboration for the Access Board and professionals throughout the nation."

"The conference went tremendously well, and we are all very pleased. It was a pleasure to have worked with the American Institute of Architects to bring this about. I think it speaks to a new and exciting relationship with the AIA, its staff, and its members."

In her remarks, Reno also stressed the Department of Justice's intent to vigorously enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act. "You have an obligation," said Reno to the audience, primarily composed of architects and designers, "to produce designs that provide full and equal access to all." While stressing the administration's commitment to education, technical assistance, and negotiation, Reno also made clear that ultimately, the Department of Justice was equally committed to enforcement. "If we have to," said Reno, "and I don't want to, but I am prepared to, we will litigate, and litigate as vigorously as possible."

The conference featured 22 break out sessions on a range of subjects, including ADA risk management and liability, new construction requirements in ADAAG, and access to historic facilities.

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