“We want to do as much as possible to comply with accessibility requirements and to help our contractors and others understand the requirements and best practices,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “We hope that this new guide will make it easier to provide necessary accessibility. Ensuring that spaces are accessible to people with disabilities fosters inclusion, enabling increased participation in community life. This guide is part of Montgomery County’s efforts to improve accessibility.”
MCDOT’s community engagement process emphasized input from people with an array of disabilities, including ambulatory, vision, hearing, intellectual and developmental. The feedback identified critical areas of improvement to enhance safety and reduce travel time; two major barriers to accessibility.
“Accessibility is regulated by law on many levels,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “Ultimately, the guide will help make pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way more accessible and consistent by serving as a one-stop resource. While the primary audience for the guide is anyone who is involved in the planning, design and construction of the County’s public right-of-way, it is also intended to help County residents understand accessibility requirements and best practices.”
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“These guidelines are intended to help Montgomery County and other communities build public spaces that are safe and welcoming for all residents,” said MCDOT Project Manager Matt Johnson. “More than one in twelve residents in Montgomery County has a disability, and nearly all of us will experience a short-or-long-term disability at some point in our lifetime. By building for accessibility, we can ensure that we are meeting the needs of all residents.”
For updates and link to press release, see here: http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=46333