01-14-13 Council Agenda & Packet

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20'13 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT TRANSITION PLAN: PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY INTRODUCTION The purpose of this plan is to ensure that the City creates reasonable, accessible paths of travel in the public right-of-way for everyone, including people with disabilities. The City has made a significant and long-term commitment to improving the accessibility of their pedestrian facilities. The Transition Plan identifies physical barriers and prioritizes improvements that should to be made throughout the City. This Transition Plan describes the existing policies and programs to enhance the overall pedestrian accessibility. TRANSITION PLAN HISTORY AND BACKGROUND For recent periods totaling more than fifteen years,the City of South Bend has had an active partnership with its citizens for the replacement and enhancement of City curbs and sidewalks in which South Bend has shared the cost with citizens for sidewalk repair and replacement. All repair and replacement has been done to ADA standards. South Bend is the St.Joseph County seat,and downtown South Bend,with its concentration of City and County government services buildings including the courthouses for St. Joseph County and the United States District Court,has undergone recent sidewalk widening,curb cuts, and ramp replacements,all conforming to ADA standards. South Bend has responded to particularized citizen need for ADA accessibility in street crossings throughout the City and will continue to do so as part of its Transition Plan. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS The federal legislation known as the American with Disabilities Act(ADA), enacted on July 26, 1990,provides comprehensive civil rights protections to persons with disabilities in the areas of employment, state and local government services, and access to public accommodations,transportation,and telecommunications Title II specifically applies to "public entities" (state and local governments) and the programs, services,and activities they deliver. Title II Article 8, requires public entities to take several steps designed to achieve compliance. The plan shall,at a minimum includes: 1. A list of the physical barriers in a public entity's facilities that limit the accessibility of its programs,activities,or services to individuals with disabilities. 2. A detailed outline of the methods to be utilized to remove these barriers and make the facilities accessible. 3. The schedule for taking the necessary steps to achieve compliance with Title II. 4. The name of the official responsible for the plan's implementation. City of South Bend j Introduction NM