Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan for Public Rights-of-Way
INTRODUCTION
Seminole County Engineering Division, Public Works Department, is pleased to post for review the Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan for Public Rights-of-Way (Plan). The Plan is to be used to bring related infrastructure deficiencies within Seminole County Rights-of-Way into compliance with the ADA.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is a civil rights statute (the Act) that prohibits discrimination against people who have disabilities. There are five separate Titles (sections) of the Act relating to different aspects of potential discrimination. Title II of the Act specifically addresses the subject of making public services and public transportation accessible to those with disabilities. With the advent of the Act, designing and constructing facilities for public use that are not accessible by people with disabilities constitutes discrimination.
The Act applies to all facilities, including both facilities built before and after 1990. State and local government, public entities and agencies are required to perform self-evaluations of their current facilities, relative to the accessibility requirements of the ADA. The Plan is designed to address all ADA related deficiencies within Seminole County Public Rights-of-Way (ROW). The Plan is to reviewed and revised if necessary annually.
The Plan is intended to achieve the following:
- Identify physical obstacles that limit the accessibility of facilities to individuals with disabilities,
- Describe the methods to be used to make the facilities accessible,
- Provide a schedule for making the access modifications, and
- Identify the public officials responsible for implementation of the Transition Plan.
The Plan is required to be updated periodically until all accessibility barriers are removed.
IMPLEMENTATION
Seminole County has implemented the first four steps of the Plan.
- Seminole County Engineering Division has designated Bill Wharton, as the ADA ROW Program Coordinator. His contact information is as follows:
Bill Wharton
Transportation Planning Manager
100 E 1st Street
Sanford, FL 32771
Phone: 407-665-5730
E-mail: wwharton@seminolecountyfl.gov
- The first public notice of information is via this Public Works Department Web Site.
- The Division is working on the required adoption and publishing of procedures for resolving grievances arising under Title II of the ADA. The procedures are intended to set out a system for resolving complaints of disability access issues in a prompt and fair manner. We are creating a grievance form that can be accessed through this website and e-mailed to our ADA ROW Program Coordinator.
- The County shall adopt the accessibility guidelines established by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT ADA standards, specifications, and design details. The County’s adoption of the accessibility guidelines and ADA standards, specifications, and design details are incorporated by reference into the County’s Engineering Manual.
FOCUS
This ADA Transition Plan for Public Rights-of-Way is required from the Public Works Department to cover all facilities under their control within County rights-of-way associated with transportation activities. The focus of this Plan is solely on Department managed pedestrian facilities in public rights-of-way. This typically includes sidewalks, pedestrian paths, curb ramps, street crossings, driveway crossings, crosswalks, median crossings, and pedestrian activated signal systems. The accessibility of pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way is only one aspect for providing equal access to state government programs, services, and activities – but it is an aspect that affects many citizens in their daily activities.
PLAN REVIEW AND COMMENT
The Seminole County Public Works ADA Transition Plan for Public Rights-of-Way is in final draft form and is available for review and comments.
Final draft of the Transition Plan
ADA - Sidewalks and Ramps Map
Comments may be provided to the ADA ROW Program Coordinator by:
Mail: ADA ROW Program Coordinator
Seminole County Engineering Division
100 E 1st Street
Sanford, FL 23771
Email: wwharton@seminolecountyfl.gov
Phone: 407-665-5730
The Plan review period is 30-days. After this time period the Plan will be revised as necessary based on the comments received. The ADA ROW Program Coordinator will continue to accept comments on the Plan throughout the year to be considered during the annual review of the Plan.
The comment period for the 2020/2021 fiscal year ends on April 30, 2021