Architectural Barriers Act of 1968

The Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 was one of the foundational legislations in disability history in the United States. The act was geared toward improving the quality of life of those with disabilities primarily by providing better access to physical infrastructure. While eradicating architectural barriers was its primary concern, the act also addressed basic issues of communication barriers. This act worked to pave the way toward subsequent legislations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, insofar as it outlined major access issues that continue to be mitigated.

The Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on August 12, 1968. The law required buildings and facilities that were designed, constructed, altered, or leased with the use of federal funds or ...