The U.S. Access Board has extended the public commentary period regarding the development of draft guidelines for passenger vessels to July 28, 2005. The draft guidelines concern accessibility of passenger vessels that carry more than 150 passengers or more than 49 overnight passengers. The draft guidelines and comments can be viewed on The Access Board web site. For additional information regarding the draft guidelines and the commentary period contact: Paul Beatty, Office of Information Services 202-272-0012(V), 202-272-0082(TTY), or email pvag@access-board.gov.

The DOJ Business Brief section of their web site features a new publication titled Expanding Your Market: Customers with Disabilities Mean Business. This publication provides facts and statistics to aid business owners who want to tap into the market potential of persons with disabilities. The document also features an extensive list of referrals to organizations that can assist business owners in making their goods and services accessible to customers with disabilities.

The DOJ has released the sixth edition of their e-newsletter Disability Rights Online News. This electronic publication features information concerning the DOJ's enforcement concerning discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, government programs, and transportation. Among the items featured in this edition are settlement agreements with the DOJ and Cinemark, Inc. and Boyer's Personal Care Homes.

The DOL has initiated a national outreach program to educate employers, employees, and the general public on Employer Assistance & Recruiting Network (EARN). EARN is a free job service designed to lower the cost of recruiting incurred by employers. The goal of EARN is to match job openings with qualified and skilled employees with disabilities. For more information on how to register and utilize EARN employers can call 866-327-6669 or email earn@earnworks.com.