News Updates

Regional ADA Coordinators Group builds a lasting foundation for accessibility

CMAP’s peer-learning series connects local ADA coordinators with practical tools, expert guidance, and one another.

From November 2024 through June 2026, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), convened the Regional ADA Coordinators Group to help local public agencies strengthen accessibility and meet their responsibilities under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The group created a space for ADA coordinators, government professionals, accessibility advocates, and consultants to exchange ideas, discuss shared challenges, learn from subject-matter experts, and connect with resources to support their work.

The series concluded this summer with an in-person walking audit around the Old Post Office in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood. More than 20 members participated, applying lessons learned to accessibility conditions in a real-world environment.

Building knowledge and connections

Across 12 sessions that reached 120 participants, the series explored:

• ADA coordinator roles and responsibilities
• ADA self-evaluations and transition plans
• Accessible public engagement and engaging with the disability community
• Accessibility during construction and assessing facilities
• Micromobility and the public right-of-way
• Website and mobile application accessibility
• Templates, data collection, and assessment tools for transition planning, engagement, and accessibility improvements

Participants’ experiences also helped CMAP better understand the challenges local ADA coordinators are facing. At the group’s first meeting, participants identified a “lack of knowledge” and “resources” as their greatest barriers. A later survey found that 82 percent of participating ADA coordinators held other positions in addition to their accessibility responsibilities, often balancing ADA compliance with administration, human resources, public works, and other responsibilities.

Participants consistently identified three valuable areas of support:

• Guidance about the ADA coordinator’s role
• Resources for completing self-evaluations and transition plans
• Information about the Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines

While CMAP’s facilitated series has ended, the lessons, connections, and resources will continue to support local governments working to create more accessible and inclusive communities.

Continue learning and connecting

CMAP continues to provide accessibility resources for local governments and regional partners.

Explore ADA resources and online trainings: Recorded training and supporting materials cover accessible public engagement, the ADA and Title II, the ADA coordinator’s role, self-evaluations, transition plans, PROWAG, and the Illinois Accessibility Code.

Use ADA templates: Customizable language for an ADA public notice, ADA coordinator designation, and grievance procedure, as well as resources for developing self-evaluations and transition plans.

Join the statewide ADA Coordinators Group: The Illinois Department of Transportation convenes local public agency ADA coordinators every other month to share practical guidance, tools, training, and best practices.

Discover priority actions for strengthening accessibility: Based on input from the Regional Mobility Council — a group of regional partners and members of the disability community.

Review meeting materials from past Regional ADA Coordinators Group meetings:

• Accessible public engagement — training recording
• ADA self-evaluations and transition plans, part one — meeting slides
• ADA self-evaluations and transition plans, part two — meeting slides
• Data-gathering and assessment methods, including manual collection, LiDAR, Ecopia, and Project Sidewalk — meeting slides
• Documenting facility assessments — meeting slides
• Engaging and collaborating with the disability community — meeting slides
• Maintaining accessibility during construction and other implementation topics — meeting slides
• The role of the ADA coordinator — meeting slides
• Tracking implementation progress — meeting slides
• Website and mobile application accessibility — meeting slides

If you have any questions about CMAP’s accessibility resources, please reach out to accessibility@cmap.illinois.gov.