Bellingham is working to identify barriers within the City's pedestrian network in order to ensure access for all citizens, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Residents are invited to be part of that process and to learn more at an Open House on June 26.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits local governments from discriminating on the basis of disability. As part of this mandate, Bellingham and other cities are to evaluate their current level of accessibility and develop a plan to transition to full access in all services, programs and activities. This specific effort focuses on the public right-of-way, which includes sidewalks, curb ramps, pedestrian crossings and pedestrian push buttons.
The informational Open House will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 26 in the Bellingham Public Library lecture room (downstairs.) The library, which is publicly accessible, is located at 210 Central Avenue in Bellingham.
In line with ADA Title II, the City of Bellingham is developing an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan for pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way.
According to Kim Brown, ADA Coordinator for the City of Bellingham, the City needs to ensure all members of the community have access to the City's pedestrian network.
“We invite the public to help us identify barriers and prioritize improvements to facilities such as sidewalks, curb ramps, pedestrian crossings and pedestrian push buttons,” says Brown. “We'll have information at the Open House on how to do that.”
Brown added, “Access is not only a civil right, it is our social responsibility to uphold and promote diversity and inclusion. This Plan provides an opportunity for Bellingham to identify barriers and changes that are needed for individuals with disabilities to fully participate in civic life.”
Public input will be used to guide future planning and implementation of necessary accessibility improvements.
For more information on this project, please visit https://www.cob.org/gov/access/Pages/mobility-for-all.aspx or contact Brown via (360)778-7950 or (TTY) 7-1-1 or email ada@cob.org. For information regarding the City's policies on accessibility and non-discrimination, visit: cob.org/gov/access.
To make a reasonable accommodation request, please phone (360) 778-7950 or ( TTY) 7-1-1 or via ada@cob.org .
