When it comes to accessibility in public spaces, many people know about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but few understand the network of agencies, guidelines, and technical systems that make the ADA enforceable. These are not DEI initiatives or institutional goals, they are codified legal processes. Here is how the ADA, the U.S. Access Board, and PROWAG work together to ensure public spaces are built for everyone.

A System, Not a Slogan

Unlike aspirational DEI programs that vary by institution, ADA compliance is driven by a formal legal system. It involves coordinated action between federal agencies, regulatory guidance, and technical standards. Understanding how these parts work together clarifies why accessibility is a legal requirement, not an organizational preference.

1. The ADA Sets the Mandate

Signed into law in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates equal access to public spaces, transportation, and communication for people with disabilities. But while the ADA sets broad legal requirements, it does not spell out the exact dimensions of a curb ramp or how a pedestrian signal should be placed. That is where regulatory agencies and guidelines step in.

2. The U.S. Access Board Interprets the Law into Standards

The U.S. Access Board is an independent federal agency responsible for developing accessibility guidelines. It creates the rules that give shape to ADA compliance, like how wide a sidewalk should be, or how detectable warning surfaces must be constructed. The Access Board’s work ensures uniformity in how accessibility is implemented nationwide.

3. PROWAG Makes the ADA Buildable

The Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) are the technical blueprint for making public infrastructure ADA-compliant. These guidelines cover:

- Minimum sidewalk widths and slopes
- Detectable warning surfaces (like StrongGo’s TekWay® tiles)
- Accessible pedestrian signals
- Transit stop design
- And more

In August 2023, the Access Board finalized PROWAG as the official federal design standard for streetscapes, helping cities align with ADA compliance more consistently than ever before.

There Is No ‘A’ in “DEI”

DEI initiatives are important for organizational culture, but they are not legally binding. The ADA and its supporting structures (like PROWAG) are enforceable under federal law. Conflating the two puts accessibility at risk of becoming politicized, underfunded, or deprioritized.

Accessibility is not optional. It is the product of law, rulemaking, and engineering.

StrongGo Helps You Build With Confidence

At StrongGo, we work closely with engineers, architects, and transportation agencies to ensure every product we design exceeds PROWAG and ADA requirements. Our TekWay® High-Performance Systems provide proven durability, safety, and ADA compliance, backed by two decades of expertise in accessible infrastructure.

Whether you are retrofitting sidewalks or designing new infrastructure, StrongGo helps you navigate the accessibility standards that matter.

Simplify your ADA compliance process. Contact StrongGo today to learn how our products and support can help you meet legal standards while creating accessible, navigable public spaces.