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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary


For Immediate Release March 27, 1996

PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES THREE MEMBERS TO THE U.S. ARCHITECTURAL

AND TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS COMPLIANCE BOARD

The President today announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to the U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board):

Nancy J. Bloch of Maryland is currently the executive director of the National Association of the Deaf and has served in this capacity since 1992. Previously, Ms. Bloch served as the director of the Management Institute, adjunct professor of the School of Management at Gallaudet University from 1988 to 1992 and was president of GNB Consultants, Inc. from 1990 to 1992. Ms. Bloch earned a B.A. degree from the University of Miami in Florida in 1975 and an M.A. degree from Gallaudet University in 1978.

Carl G. Lewis of Illinois is currently assistant professor of architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus. Prior to assuming his tenure track appointment in 1992, Professor Lewis was a visiting instructor at the same university from 1991 to 1992. In addition, Professor Lewis worked as a visual information specialist for the Air Force Intelligence Agency (AFIA) in the Pentagon from 1985 to 1987. He is a long term advocate of accessibility concerns, especially relative to the built environment. Professor Lewis is a member of the Environmental Design and Research Association. He has also served in an advisory capacity to the National Therapeutic Recreation Association, the National Park Service, Abraham Lincoln Home Accessibility Study, and PACE - Center for Independent Living. Professor Lewis earned a B.S. in architectural studies in 1990 and a Master of Architecture in 1992 from the University of Illinois-UC.

James J. Weisman of Suffern, New York is currently associate executive director for Legal Affairs for the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association, a position he assumed in 1979. Since graduating from law school in 1977, Mr. Weisman has represented disabled people and organizations of disabled people in order to enhance the quality of their lives and to protect and promote their civil rights. In 1991, he was appointed to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Advisory Committee to promulgate a regulation implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act, and in 1994 he was presented with the Governor's Advocacy Award by former Governor Cuomo for his efforts. Mr. Weisman earned a B.A. from the University of Toledo and his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law.

The U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) was created to insure compliance with the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 and to establish and maintain minimum guidelines and requirements for standard issues pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act. In addition, the Board develops advisory guidelines for and provides technical assistance to individuals or entities with rights or duties under the ADA.

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