WILMINGTON, DE — Teams of engineers will be visiting Wilmington neighborhoods in the coming days and weeks to assess sidewalk quality and accessibility as part of a multi-year effort to bring Wilmington into compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Enacted in 1990, this landmark civil rights law ensured that people with disabilities were, for the first time, guaranteed access to all programs and services provided by state and local governments. Specifically, Title II of the American with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination by state and local government entities to access and use of “areas of public accommodations” and “public facilities” on the basis of disability.
Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki said today that Wilmington, which aims to become a model of accessibility, is well on its way to being a more welcoming city to all its residents and visitors. “Our mission is to create a city where businesses invest and thrive, and our neighborhoods are safe and beautiful,” said the Mayor. “What’s more, I’ve often spoke of making Wilmington a more ‘just city,’ a concept whose centerpiece is the idea that justice and respect are the principles that guide our actions and decisions each and every day. Clearly, making Wilmington more readily accessible to those residents and visitors who face varying physical challenges is an essential component of that idea, and in doing so everyone wins. We are carrying out this assessment not merely because it is legally required, but because it is the right thing to do.”
In 2018 Wilmington contracted with Bureau Veritas (formerly EMG), a Maryland-based audit and certification services firm, to conduct a Comprehensive Accessibility Evaluation of all City properties in accordance with state and federal law. Following site visits by architects and engineers in June 2018 and January 2020, and after consultation with City staff members, Bureau Veritas issued an initial Transition Plan report covering City structures, public buildings, and parks in March 2020. A copy of that report can be found here.
The next phase of this ADA self-assessment involves public rights-of-way, such as sidewalks and alleyways, and will be conducted by Bureau Veritas assessors from now until late October, then resume later in 2024. The assessments will be minimally invasive, with equipment that does not generate any noise and data being collected quickly. Once completed, Bureau Veritas will submit to the City a Final Title II Transition Plan, as required by the ADA.
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