The city of Seward, Alaska, has been addressing ADA accessibility issues around town. The city has recently completed work that will make it easier for people with disabilities to get around town. Sidewalks have been replaced or repaired, curb cuts have been fixed, and some damaged ramps and old railings have been repaired. The city has also increased the number of handicap parking spaces and installed yellow bump dots for the visually impaired. While these repairs now meet ADA compliance requirements, advocates for people living with disabilities say that the city still has a long way to go.
All municipalities are now required to adopt a comprehensive ADA transition plan, and they stand to lose their federal funding if they do not have a plan in place. The advocates are working with the city’s assistant manager in adopting a transition plan that would document and address each of its handicap accessibility issues over time, and regularly evaluate progress towards ADA compliance.
One of the priorities should be the Seward City Hall. A current problem with accessibility is where the handicap-accessible parking spaces are located. They need to be relocated next to the side entrance near the backdoor ramp, so people will not have to wheel or walk around to the back of the building from where the parking spaces are located. There are changes that also need to be made at the Seward Police Department and Seward Jail to make it easier for the disabled to utilize the facilities.
The city has made progress with recent improvements at the Seward Community Library Museum, and they are also working to provide greater handicapped parking areas at city paths, ball grounds, campgrounds, and parks. They recently installed compacted hard-pack D-1 gravel to provide at least the minimal required wheelchair access in these parking areas.
A lot more work will be needed to make more city facilities truly accessible to people with disabilities, but the improvements are already making a difference for the people of Seward. Disability advocates will continue to work with the city to help with the transition to ADA accessibility. It will take time and money, but the city of Seward is working toward a future where everyone will have access to all city facilities.
Is your city falling short of the example set by Seward, Alaska? Contact us today. We’re here to assist (at no cost to you!) with any accessibility problems you may encounter with your city’s facilities. Let us know how we can assist you in making your city more ADA accessible.