A Moment in Code Council History: The Approval of the Code Council’s First Edition of the Accessibility Standard

In honor of the International Code Council’s 30th anniversary celebrations, the Building Safety Journal will be reflecting on some significant milestones in the organization’s history.

This month, we spotlight the integration of the Council of American Building Officials (CABO) into the Code Council and how it was pivotal in advancing the approval of the Code Council’s first edition of the ANSI Standard A117.1.

The Integration of CABO into the Code Council

In 1998, the Boards of Directors of the Code Council and CABO merged as one. This decision was driven by their shared membership through the Building Officials and Code Administrators International, the International Conference of Building Officials and the Southern Building Code Congress International, and their mutual goal of supporting state and local code enforcement officials.  

This merger aimed to combine the various organizations’ efforts into one voice, making better use of resources and improving efficiency. By integrating CABO into the Code Council, the organizations aimed to centralize administrative efforts and technical support for developing and maintaining the International Codes® (I-Codes). This integration also unified and strengthened the advocacy of code enforcement officials nationwide, streamlining operations and bolstering regulatory efforts. 

The merger of CABO into the Code Council aligned with both organizations’ goals and positioned it to become a leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions.

History of the Accessibility Standard

The evolution of ANSI Standard A117.1 began with its 1961 edition, which established the first accessibility criteria as an American National Standard, which was developed from research conducted by the University of Illinois with funding from the National Easter Seal Society.

Over time, the National Easter Seal Society and the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities joined the Secretariat, reaffirming the accessibility standard in 1971.

In 1974, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also joined the Secretariat, sponsoring research that contributed to the 1980 edition of the standard.

In 1987, CABO assumed the Secretariat, aiming to align the standard with building codes and enforcement practices. In 1998, CABO’s transition into the Code Council marked a new phase, with the Code Council assuming Secretariat responsibilities. Since then, the Code Council has supported the long-term development of the standard which operates on a five-year cycle.

Read more about the history of the A117.1 Standard here. 

The ICC A117.1 Standard Now

The ICC A117.1 Standard is a nationally recognized standard of technical requirements for making buildings accessible and is the primary accessibility standard referenced in the International Building Code® (IBC).

The ICC A117.1 standard helps achieve uniformity in the technical design criteria in building codes. It is referenced by many federal documents and state accessibility laws and with the adoption of the I-Codes has been used internationally.

The Code Council’s Consensus Committee on Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities is a continuing committee that regularly reviews and improves the ICC A117.1 Standard.

The A117.1 committee continues its work on the next edition of the standard, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

Some of the primary topics being addressed in the next edition are changes to:

• Accessible bathing 
• Assisted toileting and bathing 
• Adult changing stations 
• Residential electrical receptacles 
• Communications 
• Walking and wheeling surfaces 

Additional changes currently include items such as:  

• Enhanced electrical vehicle charging stations 
• Stairway safety 
• Plumbing elements 
• Self-service checkout counters 

This ongoing development process advances the mission to enhance accessibility that the A117.1 committee has championed since its first edition in 1961, a commitment further nurtured by the Code Council since CABO took on the secretariat role in 1987.

Today and into the future, the Code Council remains dedicated to supporting this initiative, ensuring that the built environment is free from barriers that limit an individual’s ability to participate fully in society.

For more information on the current development process or to participate in the development, click here. To take a look back at other significant milestones in the Code Council’s history, check out the 30th anniversary timeline here.