[Federal Register: August 13, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 155)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 45200]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13au07-21]                         

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ARCHITECTURAL AND TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS COMPLIANCE BOARD

36 CFR Part 1196

[Docket No. 2007-03]
RIN 3014-AA22

 
Passenger Vessel Emergency Alarms Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.

ACTION: Notice of establishment; appointment of members; date of first 
meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board 
(Access Board) has decided to establish an advisory committee to make 
recommendations on issues related to the effectiveness of emergency 
alarm systems for individuals with hearing loss or deafness on 
passenger vessels. This notice also announces the time and place of the 
first Committee meeting.

DATES: The first meeting of the Committee is scheduled for September 19 
and 20, 2007 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Decisions with respect 
to future meetings will be made at the first meeting and from time to 
time thereafter. Notices of future meetings will be published in the 
Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: The first meeting of the Committee will be held at the 
Access Board's offices, 1331 F Street, NW., Suite 1000, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Beatty, Office of Technical and 
Information Services, Architectural and Transportation Barriers 
Compliance Board, 1331 F Street, NW., Suite 1000, Washington, DC 2004-
1111. Telephone number (202) 272-0012 (Voice); (202) 272-0082 (TTY). 
These are not toll-free numbers. E-mail address: pvag@access-board.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 25, 2007, the Architectural and 
Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) published a 
notice of intent to establish an advisory committee to make 
recommendations on issues related to the effectiveness of emergency 
alarm systems for individuals with hearing loss or deafness on 
passenger vessels. (72 FR 34653; June 25, 2007). The notice identified 
the interests that are likely to be significantly affected by this 
rulemaking:
     Individuals with hearing loss or deafness, and other 
individuals with disabilities concerned about emergency alarm systems 
on passenger vessels;
     Passenger vessel operators;
     Manufacturers and designers of emergency alarm systems on 
passenger vessels; and
     Voluntary codes and standards groups which address 
emergency alarms on passenger vessels.
    For the reasons stated in the notice of intent, the Access Board 
has determined that establishing the Passenger Vessel Emergency Alarms 
Advisory Committee (Committee) is necessary and in the public interest. 
The Access Board has appointed the following organizations as members 
to the Committee:
     Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network.
     Cruise Lines International Association.
     Epilepsy Foundation.
     Gallaudet University.
     Hearing Access Program.
     Hearing Loss Association of America.
     National Association of the Deaf.
     National Fire Protection Association.
     Passenger Vessel Association.
     Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.
    Committee meetings will be open to the public and interested 
persons can attend the meetings and communicate their views. Members of 
the public will have opportunities to address the Committee on issues 
of interest to them and the Committee. Members of groups or individuals 
who are not members of the Committee may also have the opportunity to 
participate with subcommittees of the Committee. The Access Board 
believes that participation of this kind can be very valuable for the 
advisory committee process. Additionally, all interested persons will 
have the opportunity to comment when proposed rules regarding passenger 
vessel accessibility are issued in the Federal Register by the Access 
Board.
    The meeting site is accessible to individuals with disabilities. 
Sign language interpreters, an assistive listening system, and computer 
assisted real-time transcription (CART) will be provided. Persons 
attending the meeting are requested to refrain from using perfume, 
cologne, and other fragrances for the comfort of other participants.

Tricia Mason,
Chair, Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.
[FR Doc. 07-3934 Filed 8-10-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 8150-01-M