Published July 22 2015
Efforts continue to expand accessibility locally
The city this week celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a milestone in expanding civil rights for people with disabilities. The city has issued a proclamation, and Mayor Claudia Balducci will speak about personal experiences with disabilities in her family life during a rally Wednesday, July 22, at Westlake Park in Seattle.
The historic impacts of the ADA, signed into law on July 26, 1990, have been far reaching, removing barriers to employment and setting universal accessibility standards for public accommodations, education, communication and transportation.
For the City of Bellevue, efforts to make public places more inclusive and accessible for people with disabilities have been varied and ongoing, including but not limited to:
- replacement and/or construction of more than 100 curb ramps per year over the past 10 years, improving intersection safety and mobility for people with disabilities;
- partnership with the Bellevue Rotary Club to plan and raise funds for a new, "Inspiration Playground" at Downtown Park, designed to be universally accessible and offer sensory-rich play experiences; and
- hiring of a new ADA/Title VI administrator in May, who responds to requests for accessibility accommodation and works with city departments to ensure access and compliance with local, state and federal accessibility regulations.
Other projects to increase accessibility include upgrading assisted listening systems at city buildings, updating the ADA self-evaluation and transition plan, improving website access and expanding facility assessments and barrier removal activities.
The city issued a proclamation declaring July 20-26 as ADA Anniversary Celebration Week and encouraging residents to continue to recognize and value the contributions of people with disabilities in our city and community.