Architectural Barriers Act (ABA)

42 U.S.C. §§ 4151-4157

The first federal law addressing access to the built environment, it requires that buildings and facilities designed, constructed, altered, or leased with federal funds after August 12, 1968 be accessible to persons with disabilities. It covers federally funded or federally leased facilities, including U.S. post offices, federal courthouses, federally subsidized public housing, and mass-transit systems receiving federal funds, and is enforced by the U.S. Access Board through investigation of complaints (with design standards set by GSA, HUD, the Department of Defense, and the U.S. Postal Service). Relevant to developers, owners, and landlords whose projects receive federal funding or lease space to federal agencies.