TOWN OF ERIE Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Access Audit and Transition Plan Community Engagement Presentation May 15th and 16th, 2023
Introductions
• Town of Erie, CO
• WT Group, LLC Accessibility Practice
• John McGovern, JD, Partner, Principal in Charge
• Tatum Storey, MSW, ADA Coordinator, Project Manager
• Members of the public
Town of Erie Scope of Work – Year 1
Project Management
Policy, Program, and Process Review
• Parks and Facility Audits and Reports
• Transition Plan with Cost References
Audit Town Website
• Task Tracker
Program and Policy Report
• Transition Plan Final Report
Community Engagement
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Town of Erie
Scope of Work – Year 2
Project Management
Audit Town Website
Community Engagement
Public Right of Way (PROW) Audits and Reports
Transition Plan with Cost References
Task Tracker
Transition Plan Final Report
05/17/2023 4
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Town of Erie
Scope of Work – Year 3
Project Management
Community Engagement
Public Right of Way (PROW) Audits and Reports
Transition Plan with Cost References
Task Tracker
Transition Plan Final Report
05/17/2023 5
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WT Group Services
• Site evaluations and access audits
• Community engagement & Transition Plans
• Plan review
• Inclusion process and policy review
• Staff training
What is the ADA?
•Effective January 26, 1992
•Provides comprehensive civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities in the areas of:
•Employment
•State and local government services
•Privately owned places of public accommodation
•Telecommunications
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Title II
• Design and construction of new sites
• Audit and retrofit at existing sites
• 2010 Standards for Accessible Design, smart practices
Title II governs Town of Erie services, parks, and facilities
Title II…continued
• Town must make programs available in the most integrated setting
• Town must make modifications to support participation by people with disabilities
• Town must make contractors, concessionaires agree to not discriminate on the basis of disability
• Town must ensure that processes for people with disabilities are not more difficult than for people without disabilities
Program Access
• Town “programs” must be accessible
• Programs are broadly defined...what is it?
• Not all existing sites or site assets, must be retrofit...use one-of-three of recurring assets
• Town can make schedule to meet mandate and resources in a way that is consistent with its resources, but must act in good faith
Why Audit Facilities?
• Where renovations are being planned, access must be in the plans...the Town wants to know where the deficits are
• Many sites were planned before 1992, and access was not in the mindset of designers...the Town will stay current
• It’s the right thing to do!
The WT Process
• Every aspect of every element at every site
• 2010 Standards and any Colorado requirements that are more stringent
• Simple tools
• Checklists for quality control
What is a Transition Plan?
• Make the “programs” accessible
• Disperse access retrofits
• Unique sites and recurring sites
• Stretched out over...how many years?
Transition Plan Factors
• Severity of the barrier
• Easy to do
• High-use site
• Public or employee space?
Transition Plan Factors
• How recent is construction
• Repurposed site?
• Is there a partner?
• Complex or costly retrofits
Transition Plan Factors
• Sites not yet subject to design standard
• Compliance is technically infeasible
• Historic sites
• Sites with other protections
OBSERVATIONS
Coal Miner Park
Parking
Parking lacks signage on all accessible stalls
Parking stall/aisle slopes cannot exceed 2.08%
Star Meadows Park
Accessible Routes
Surface deterioration along path
Change in level exceeding .25” on route Longs Peak Park
Park Elements
Drinking fountains lack knee
clearance
Clayton Park
Parks/Play Areas
Non-compliant designated entries
Reliance Park
Erie Community Park
Transfer platform too low
Portable Restrooms
Projecting
elements within unit
Portable restrooms located on sloped
Columbine Mine Park
Columbine Mine Park
Restrooms
Grab bars installed above
Erie Community Center
Restroom amenities exceeding reach range
Outdoor Constructed Features
Country Fields Park
Trails
Trails lack firm and stable surfaces – maintenance required
Thomas Reservoir
Erie Community Park
Unique Sites
Slopes in artificial turf surface of Ninja Warrior Course
Star Meadows Park
Crescent Park
Dispersion
Coal Minor Park
Ensuring dispersion of park elements and assets throughout community
Role of Community Members
• 35.150(d) requires opportunity for community member feedback in transition plan process
• We can measure dimensions, but practical input from those affected by access issues is VERY helpful to us and the Town
• “Nothing for us, without us.”
What’s Next?
• Staff digests reports, recommendations and includes public feedback in next steps •
Final Report to the Town
• Staff continues implementation
What are YourAccess Preferences?
• Types of assets?
• Location?
• Busiest sites?
• Other factors?
YourAccess Preferences and Priorities
• Start with the basics (parking, entries, restrooms, etc.)?
• In what order should sites be retrofit?
• Dispersed retrofits or concentrated retrofits?
THANK YOU
