New federally funded buildings no longer need to meet disability access rules

The US Energy Department has removed requirements for new buildings to be accessible to people with disabilities. This means federally funded construction projects will no longer have to follow specific design standards for accessibility.

For decades, federal funding for new construction came with a clear expectation: buildings must be accessible to everyone. This change removes that expectation for Energy Department projects. It means that future federally assisted buildings could be designed without ramps, wider doorways, or other features that ensure access for people with disabilities.