respond to complaints of inaccessibility and other forms of disability discrimination by enforcing...
TRANSCRIPT
2015 IAER Vision Conference
Peter Berg, Great Lakes ADA CenterVickie Simpson, Illinois Attorney General
Disability Rights Bureau of the Illinois Attorney General
Respond to complaints of inaccessibility and other forms of disability discrimination by enforcing state and federal laws to protect the rights of people with disabilities.
Conduct investigations, negotiate and litigate.
Provide information and referral services on disability-related questions.
Committees, legislation and public awareness.
The ADA
Americans with Disabilities Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Illinois Environmental Barriers Act
Illinois Highway Code
The ADA
Title II of the ADA Prohibits public entities (state and local government)
from discriminating against or excluding people with disabilities from their “services, programs, and activities.” 42 U.S.C. § 12132.
Sidewalks are a service, program, or activity subject to Title II program access regulations Barden v. City of Sacramento, 292 F.3d 1073 (9th Cir.
2002)
ADA is a civil rights law Inaccessible sidewalks constitute discrimination
because they deny a person with a disability the “ability to become a self-reliant member of the community.” Lonberg v. City of Riverside, 2007 WL 2005177 (C.D. Cal. 2007).
The ADA
New Construction full compliance with “readily accessible to
and usable by” people with disabilities requirement (Built after Jan. 26, 1992)
Alterations Compliance to the “maximum extent
feasible” with “readily accessible to and usable by” people with disabilities requirement (Altered after January 26, 1992) 28 CFR 35.151(b)
The ADA
Newly constructed or altered highways or walkways trigger curb ramp requirements 28 CFR 35.151(i). See also, Kinney v. Yerusalim, 9 F.3d 1067 (3rd Cir. 1993)
Existing Facilities Program Access (Built before Jan. 26, 1992)
Maintenance of Accessible Features
Accessible features of the facility and equipment must be maintained in operable working condition. 28 C.F.R. § 35.133(a)
Only temporary interruptions are ok▪ Maintenance or repairs
Curb ramps under construction must be fixed promptly
Temporary access during construction
State LawEnvironmental Barriers Act
Governs physical access for people with disabilities.
Its implementing regulation, the Illinois Accessibility Code (IAC), dictates the minimum requirements for accessibility to facilities located in Illinois. Effective May 1, 1988.
Applies to new construction, additions and alterations.
ADA Coordinator Requirements
ADA requirements:
State of local government agencies employing 50 or more employees shall have a designated employee (ADA coordinator) and complaint procedures– 28 C.F.R. § 35.107
Illinois requirements: Publish on their website the name, office address, and
telephone number of the ADA coordinator, if any; Grievance procedures, if any, for resolving complaints
regarding the accessibility of the Title II entities facilities, programs, services, or activities.
Applies to municipalities, counties and townships Effective January 1, 2010
What’s Required in PROWAG?
Curb Ramp for Each Pedestrian Crossing (R207.1) Single curb ramp allowed for alterations
(R2070.2) Detectable Warnings (R208.1)
Curb ramps at pedestrian street crossing Pedestrian refuge islands (≥ 6 ft) Rail crossings/boarding platforms at transit
stops Commercial drives with traffic control
Detectable Warnings
All ramps and raised crossings must have detectable warnings to provide notice underfoot of the change from a pedestrian to a vehicular route.
Detectable Warnings
Required on curb ramps at: Transit facilities (§406.8, DOT standards) FHWY funded projects Public sidewalks (recommended –
PROWAG and IDOT) Boarding platform edges
Not required on curb ramps or hazardous vehicular areas at:
Facilities (non‐transit) located on sites
Detectable Warnings
Full width of the curb ramp (excluding side flares)
24” deep minimum measured from the back of the curb
Detectable Warning Surfaces
R305.1.3 Contrast Light on Dark Dark on Light Yellow is best color for pedestrians with
low vision R305.1.4 Size
2.0 ft minimum in the direction of travel Full width of ramp run (excluding flares)
DW Surface Contrast
DW Surfaces Cover Flush Edge
Detectable Warning Placement
Perpendicular Curb Ramps Back of Curb Grade Break Lower Landing
Parallel Curb Ramps Turning space at back of curb
Detectable Warning PlacementPerpendicular Curb Ramp
Parallel Curb Ramps
Pedestrian At-Grade Rail Crossings
Protruding Objects
27 in < Objects ≤ 80 in
4 in maximum protrusion
Applies to entire pedestrian circulation path
Vertical clearance/protruding objects
Protruding Object Zones
APS and Pedestrian Pushbuttons(PROWAG)
General Pedestrian Signals shall have APS and
pedestrian pushbuttons Comply with MUTCD 4E.08 through 4E.13
Alterations Signal controller and software are altered Signal head replaced
Operable Parts 2” Diameter Use with Closed Fist
APS and Pedestrian Pushbuttons
Pushbutton location
Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS)
APS – Speaker Location
APS - Tactile Arrow
PROWAG
When the pedestrian access route is detoured, provide an alternate route; same‐side is best, if feasible (in MUTCD)
Resources
• Illinois Accessibility Code http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/rights/environmental_barriers.html
• ADA Information –Access Board http://www.access-board.gov• (800) 872-2253
• Department of Justice•http://www.ada.gov/ • (800) 514-0301
Illinois contact information
Illinois Department of Transportation ADA Coordinator Juliet Shoultz [email protected] (217) 785-2148
FHWA Illinois Division Traci Baker, Civil Rights Specialist [email protected] (217) 492-4732
Filing a complaint
Local Level ADA Coordinator Human Rights Commission
State Level Illinois Attorney General Illinois Department of Human Rights
Federal Level Designated federal agency▪ DOJ, DOT, DOE, etc.
Vickie Simpson, Policy AdvisorOffice of the Attorney General
Disability Rights Bureau500 S. Second Street
Springfield, Illinois 62706(217) 785-5726 or (217) 524-2660
(877) 844-5461 (tty)[email protected]
www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov
Peter BergProject Coordinator of Technical AssistanceGreat Lakes ADA Center (MC 728)
1640 W. Roosevelt Road · Room 405
Chicago, IL 60608 (312) 413-1407 (V/TTY)
or (800) 949-4232 (V/TTY) http://www.adagreatlakes.org
Questions?