The ATBCB (Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board) have opened public submissions under ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) for people with disabilities which includes installing bathrooms for guide animals. A lot of feedback was expected due to the fact of numerous disabled people commenting about the lack of relief areas on board. However, only 14 comments have been posted to date, none of which mention relief areas. Thus, the closing date has been extended to January 24, 2014.
For anyone interested in commenting on the guidelines, the question is numbered at #31 which is as follows:
Are service animal relief areas currently provided on passenger vessels? What criteria should be used to determine when service animal relief areas are needed? For instance, should need for service animal relief areas be based on the length of trip or total travel time? How many service animal relief areas should be provided on passenger vessels? Should the number vary based on the size of passenger vessel? Where should service animal relief areas be located on passenger vessels? What should be the design criteria for service animal relief areas? What costs are associated with providing service animal relief areas?
In the past, various animals such as miniature horses and pot-bellied pigs have been allowed on board due to disability regulations, so it would not be surprising if relief areas were indeed installed.
Overall, the guidelines will apply to:
- Ferries
- Cruise Ships
- Excursion Boats
- Other Passenger Vessels
They will also apply to Cruises that carry more than 150 people or more than 49 overnight guests; ferries that carry more than 99 passengers; and tenders that carry more than 59. The expected cost to the industry is estimated to be between $66 and $74 million over 20 years.
