REPORT TO AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan Update
Report
BACKGROUND
At the August 20, 2024 City Council meeting, Council adopted the City’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan (Plan, Attachment 1). The Plan evaluates existing public services, policies, practices, and facilities to identify ADA barriers and includes recommendations to improve them over time. Accessibility-related improvements to public facilities are also recommended in the Plan, and criteria is included to help determine which efforts should be prioritized. Community participation and feedback, including engagement with the City’s ADA Committee, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), Senior Advisory Commission, and City Council was utilized to help provide guidance as the Plan was being developed.
Prior to adoption of the Plan by Council, there was a substantial development phase with active participation from the ADA Committee. At the May 18, 2023 ADA Committee meeting, staff provided an update on the Plan’s progress and activities. At the February 15, 2024 ADA Committee Meeting, staff provided an update on the Plan, including a presentation of the draft plan prior to its recommendation to Council for adoption. Additionally, on April 9, 2024, City Council held a Study Session on the Plan.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 prohibits discrimination by public entities on the basis of disability. Under Title II of the ADA, the City is required to evaluate its services, policies, and practices in order to identify any barriers to access, and to make necessary modifications to eliminate such barriers. For barrier removals requiring structural changes to facilities, the City is required to develop a transition plan setting forth the necessary steps to complete the modifications. The City previously completed a self-evaluation and transition plan in 1993 to comply with the ADA requirements, and the Plan adopted by Council in 2024 updates and outlines efforts moving forward.
The Plan’s adoption was a significant milestone in the City’s efforts towards enhancing the City’s services, policies, practices, and facilities so they are more accessible. The Plan’s adoption by Council also marked the transition of staff efforts from the planning phase towards implementation of the Plan.
Staff aims to continuously engage and involve the community and the ADA Committee throughout implementation of the Plan to provide updates and solicit feedback regarding the City’s efforts towards enhancing accessibility.
DISCUSSION
City staff will provide a presentation and informational update to the ADA Committee on the ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan.
Staff
Written by: Vincent Luchessi, Senior Civil Engineer- Design Division, Public Works
Reviewed by: Falguni Amin, Principal Engineer-Design Division, Public Works
Approved by: Michael Liw, Assistant Director/City Engineer, Public Works
ATTACHMENTS
1. ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan