BOMA International Celebrates 25 Years of Accessibility in Commercial Real Estate

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 29, 2015) The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is pleased to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In the more than two decades since the landmark legislation was signed into law, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability and guaranteeing the rights of people with disabilities, BOMA International has continued to serve as an industry leader in supporting the efforts of building owners and managers to improve the accessibility of commercial properties.

Since the ADA was signed into law in 1990, BOMA International has served on the American with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines Review Advisory Committee, the ANSI/ICC A117.1 Standard Committee and a number of other key forums where new accessibility provisions are developed. BOMA also has worked to ensure model building codes and standards are consistent with ADA Accessibility Guidelines. During the 2010 update of these guidelines, BOMA collaborated closely with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Access Board on revised requirements for a broad range of commercial spaces.

In addition to its continued participation in the development of federal regulations, building codes and standards, BOMA International has been able to provide property professionals with the resources and educational materials to better their understanding of ADA regulations and encourage implementation, leading to a more accessible built environment. Over the past 25 years, BOMA has created an entire library of ADA compliance publications for commercial property owners and managers, including:

• BOMA International’s ADA Compliance Guidebook: A Checklist for Your Building (1991);
• Opening Doors: Your Guide for Accommodating Persons with Disabilities (1992);
• The ADA Answer Book (1992);
• Guide to ADA Accessibility Regulations: Complying with Federal Rules and Model Building Code Requirements (2003); and, most recently,
• Guide to the 2010 ADA Standards.

“BOMA International is proud to have contributed to the success of the ADA in creating accessibility in commercial spaces over the past quarter century,” commented BOMA International Chair Kent C. Gibson, BOMA Fellow, president of Capstone Property Management, L.C. “We will continue to work closely with lawmakers and regulatory bodies to develop the next generation of accessibility requirements and to ensure that property professionals have the clear guidelines, educational tools and resources they need to successfully implement them.”

Learn more about BOMA International’s accessibility laws, codes and standards efforts.

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About BOMA International

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is a federation of 91 BOMA U.S. associations and 17 international affiliates. Founded in 1907, BOMA represents the owners and managers of all commercial property types including 10.4 billion square feet of U.S. office space that supports 1.8 million jobs and contributes $227.6 billion to the U.S. GDP. Its mission is to advance a vibrant commercial real estate industry through advocacy, influence and knowledge. Learn more at www.boma.org.

Contact

Jessica Bates

Manager of Communications & Marketing

BOMA International

(202) 326-6348

jbates@boma.org​