Ensuring everyone in the region has equal access to opportunity

Accessibility is vital to creating an inclusive and thriving region. Everyone in northeastern Illinois — including people with disabilities — needs to be able to get to work or school, visit family and friends, access the goods and services they need, and enjoy all the region has to offer — dining, shopping, arts, sports, and recreation.

Of the 8.6 million people in northeastern Illinois, over 800,000 have a disability. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is working to improve accessibility across the region, not only because it benefits those with disabilities, but because it benefits everyone.

Why the region should improve accessibility

Northeastern Illinois is falling behind when it comes to removing barriers for people with disabilities to move around the region and access opportunity. We cannot achieve a prosperous, equitable region if people with disabilities are excluded.

Accessibility creates opportunity

Transportation is a literal route to opportunity, connecting residents to jobs, education, and services. But people with disabilities face barriers when moving around the region. CMAP research shows that 1 in 5 residents with disabilities did not travel on an average day, compared to fewer than 1 in 10 other residents.

Accessibility creates economic benefits

Communities that are accessible are welcoming to everyone — residents, visitors, and shoppers. People with disabilities in the U.S. have about $500 billion in annual disposable income, which they are more likely to spend in communities that are accessible to them.

Many people have, or will have, disabilities

Our population is aging, with the senior population projected to increase by 880,000 people between 2015 and 2050. One-third of Americans over age 65 experience a disability that limits their mobility. And disability can affect any of us, at any time.

Everyone benefits

Accessibility improvements don’t just benefit those with disabilities. They make it easier for everyone to go about their daily lives. For example, curb cuts at sidewalk corners — originally intended for people using wheelchairs — make trips easier for parents with strollers, children on bikes, and people rolling luggage.

It is required

Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act improves the region’s resilience. By meeting federal requirements, we can help ensure our region continues to receive millions of dollars in annual transportation funding.

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities.

Under Title II of the ADA, people with disabilities must have an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from state and local government programs, services, and activities. Title II applies to state agencies, villages, cities, counties, schools, park and special purpose districts, transit agencies, colleges and universities, community colleges, libraries, and even museums that operate with public funds.

What does the ADA require local governments to do?

Not only does accessibility improve our region’s resilience, it can help ensure our region continues to receive millions of dollars in annual transportation funding.

All local governments must conduct an ADA self-evaluation and provide a public accessibility notice. Local governments with 50 or more employees at any point of the year (either full- or part-time) must:

  • Designate an employee responsible for coordinating ADA compliance
  • Create a transition plan
  • Keep documents related to the self-evaluation for three years, including the consulted stakeholders and descriptions of areas examined, problems identified, and modifications made
  • Establish a grievance procedure for documenting and addressing accessibility issues

It is strongly recommended that all governments — regardless of their size — take the above steps to improve accessibility.

People seated in a classroom setting attending an accessibility training

Check out CMAP’s library of accessibility trainings and resources

Want to learn more about how local governments can improve accessibility in their communities and achieve compliance with the ADA? CMAP’s library of accessibility training materials includes video recordings (with captions and ASL interpretation) and corresponding workshop materials covering the following topics:

  • The ADA and Title II
  • ADA coordinators
  • ADA self-evaluations and design standards
  • ADA transition plans
  • Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG)
  • Illinois Accessibility Code

What does ON TO 2050 say?

ON TO 2050, the region’s long-range plan, was built on the principle of inclusive growth. Despite our region’s many assets, we fall short of ensuring economic opportunity for all through longstanding transportation, housing, and economic challenges.

Northeastern Illinois cannot thrive if people are left behind, which is why ON TO 2050 includes strategies to improve access to public rights of way, create accessible housing, and invest in career pathway programs that improve accessibility for people with disabilities.

How CMAP can help

CMAP equips local governments with the resources they need to improve accessibility and comply with the ADA by:

  • Educating communities about the law
  • Supporting municipalities in appointing local ADA coordinators, completing self-evaluations, and creating transition plans
  • Encouraging accessibility improvement implementation
  • Offering technical assistance to create ADA transition plans