The City of Bellingham recently concluded a study that asked residents to provide input about difficulties people with mobility issues face, and how the city could address them.
City officials said that bringing “Mobility for All” to fruition is one of Bellingham's goals. In order to understand any problems, they asked the public to help develop a plan that makes certain pedestrian facilities are accessible to everyone, and comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Kim Brown is the ADA Coordinator for the city, and is spearheading the effort to find the challenges in the city's network of pedestrian corridors. Officials particularly want to know where there are problems with the public right-of-way, which includes pedestrian push buttons, pedestrian crossings, curb ramps, and sidewalks.
Brown went on to describe access throughout the community as both a civil right, and a responsibility the city has to promote and uphold diversity, inclusion, and equity. “Mobility for all” will give everyone this access to the community, and the responses collected will help the city refine the plan, which is known as the ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. Flyer printing is a convenient way to share information like this to interested parties.
Per the ADA, local governments may not discriminate against the disabled. In order to meet these regulations, Bellingham is one of many cites currently evaluating how accessible they are.
