The final draft of the 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) (2.7MB PDF) was approved for adoption by the Commission on November 1, 2011; however, the revised standards will not become effective until March 15, 2012. Until that time, compliance with the 1994 Texas Accessibility Standards is required.

Compliance with the 2012 TAS will be required on all buildings and facilities subject to Chapter 469.003 when:

– the construction project is registered with the Department on or after March 15, 2012 ; or
– the application for a building permit is issued by a state, county, or local government on or after March 15, 2012; or
– the commencement of construction begins on or after March 15, 2012.

This means that if your process began at any point before March 15, 2012 it can still be designed per the 1994 TAS.  So if you get a permit in February but you won’t start construction until after March, you are required to follow the Standards you were under at the time of permit.   Make sure that if you are in the design process and your project could either get registered, permitted or built after March 15th that you begin designing per the new Standards.  If you

http://www.license.state.tx.us/ab/ab.htm

I’ve been noticing lots of different accessibility symbols on signs lately.  The one below is the typical accessibility symbol found in the US.  But there are variations that make me wonder what the graphic designer was thinking. 

I know for sure what the first one was thinking.  I found it at an ice cream shop that was not accessible.

This one I saw at an exit door at a retail store.  It looks like they really want you to leave in a hurry!  It is the Christmas shopping season!  They need all the room they can get!

This one was found in Mexico.  I think they must be teaching us total independence. 

This one I saw in Panama City Panama.  The symbol looks pretty comfortable….is it because life is easy in Panama?  Ask a Panamanian!

This one is trying to warn the user that if they go in that direction, they could fall due to the steepness of the ramp/walkway

This one looks like it’s for people who are temporarily using wheelchairs and have some mobility. 

This one is a negative space/silhouette image of a person in a wheelchair.  It is very literal

I wouldn’t go there if I were you (wheelchair or not!)

The UN Declared December 3rd as International day of persons with disabilities!  The US followed suit and also proclaimed it.  Let’s all remember the people who, through no fault of their own, are excluded from every day activities.  If we work together to eliminate barriers we can indeed include them.  The ADA is a great law which helps to remove barriers from buildings, and programs.  Hope this proclamation will also begin to remove cultural and mental barriers which keep people from being accepted!