FAQs

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is an all-inclusive civil-rights law that mandates equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities and guarantees that they have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in mainstream American life: to enjoy employment opportunities; purchase goods and services; and participate in state and local government programs and services. To ensure this, Title II of the ADA requires that state and local governments make all programs and services accessible to people with disabilities.

The ADA requires a municipality—no matter the size—to review all aspects of its programs, services, and activities for compliance, often referred to as a Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. The Self-Evaluation process requires a clear understanding of the ADA Title II regulations, specifically the program’s access test as applied to existing facilities. The requirements for a Transition Plan, as outlined in 28 C.F.R. section 35.150, only apply to public agencies with 50 or more employees.

To ensure compliance with the ADA, ongoing education and guidance are essential for municipalities and businesses. When conducting the Self-Evaluation process, the municipality or business should review each department that interacts with the community; boards and commissions; facilities, curb ramps, intersections, and sidewalks; and the municipality’s employment practices. The municipality or business should further evaluate all programs, services, and activities to include in the Transition Plan.

Many areas within the City of Arlington’s public right-of-way are not currently accessible to people with disabilities. This may include broken (or nonexistent) sidewalks, and intersections without curb ramps and crosswalks. These barriers prevent people with disabilities from having equal access to jobs, education, healthcare, services, transit access, and other important quality-of-life amenities.

Planning for and building accessible public spaces is the law. Accessibility also benefits the broader community by improving walkability, safety, and access for all, while supporting vibrant and inclusive communities.

Under Title II of the ADA, people with disabilities must have an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from state and local governments’ programs, services, and activities. Title II applies to state agencies, cities, counties, special purpose districts, transit agencies, and other entities that use public funds. A self-evaluation is required under Title II of the ADA; it helps public entities identify and document barriers to equal access to create a transition plan for addressing these barriers.

ADA compliance is important because it improves our city’s connectivity and mobility. By meeting federal requirements, we can help ensure Arlington continues to receive annual transportation funding.

• Everyone – including people with disabilities – has a right to use pedestrian facilities.
  • Accessible alternate pedestrian routes are required during closures for construction.
• Accessible and safe pedestrian facilities benefit not only people with disabilities, but also people using strollers, elderly people, children, and distracted walkers.
• All newly constructed pedestrian facilities must meet applicable standards.
  • The cost of improvements is never an allowable reason to not provide accessibility for new facilities.
• Accessibility is required in many elements of the public right-of-way, including but not limited to:
  • Pedestrian crossing signals (audible and vibrotactile features)
  • Crosswalk push buttons and signal cycle timing
  • Curb ramps
  • On-street parking
  • Transit stops
  • Sidewalk width

The Sidewalk Master Plan (SWMP) is an important effort for the City to prioritize specific corridors and areas where sidewalks need improvement. This data-driven exercise will use proximity to schools, public accommodations, equity index, pedestrian safety, street classifications, vehicular volumes, connectivity, and the date of the ADA request. The results of the SWMP will program out sidewalk projects for the City to begin addressing in order of priority.