DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements (TCI)
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
SUMMARY:
This item will provide a briefing on the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), through the implementation of city-wide initiatives involving multiple City Offices and departments.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
With the creation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the City has dedicated offices in actively supporting, administrating and ensuring the compliance with ADA requirements.
Disability Access Office (DAO)
The City of San Antonio’s Disability Access Office (DAO), in operation since 1981, works towards a universally designed environment that makes it easy for all people, regardless of disability, to participate fully in community life. The DAO staff helps to assess, identify, facilitate and monitor the provision of various infrastructure improvements including sidewalks, pedestrian ramps and Audible Pedestrian Signals (APS). They also provide technical assistance on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulation interpretation, and integration of accessibility within the City’s Infrastructure Improvement Program and other construction projects.
The DAO coordinates with other City Departments to review and amend city codes, policies and procedures to ensure they are universally usable to all. The DAO oversees an interdepartmental Sidewalk Compliance Team and the San Antonio Building Access Modification Plan as well as oversees responses to ADA grievances submitted to the City. Additionally, the DAO participates in other jurisdiction's access and planning initiatives, trains and provides technical assistance to City Departments including the private sector in complying with ADA requirements.
Disability Access Advisory Committee (DAAC)
The Disability Access Advisory Committee was established by the City Council to work closely with the Disability Access Office as part of San Antonio's efforts to provide accessible services and facilities for citizens with disabilities. The Advisory Committee consists of 11 members that include citizens with disabilities, providers of services to people with disabilities and interested San Antonio residents.
Each Council Member and the Mayor appoint a committee member. A committee member then serves a two-year term and may be reappointed for two additional terms.
City Attorney’s Office
In a coordinated effort with the DAO, the City Attorney’s Office assists with the resolution of potential lawsuits and helps ensure all policies developed are compliant with ADA regulations. Using state, federal and local laws, the City Attorney’s Office evaluates specific elements that need legal interpretation and reviews contracts to ensure they include ADA facilities or accommodations as critical elements.
The DAO continues to be the City’s lead in ADA compliance by assessing current practices and incorporating necessary modifications into the design and construction of the City’s facilities and infrastructure. A number of initiatives in support of federal, state and local ADA policies have been implemented through the coordinated efforts of the DAO with other City departments, the DAAC and the City’s Attorney Office.
ISSUE:
This item will provide a briefing on the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), through the implementation of various city-wide initiatives involving multiple City Offices and departments.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes only.