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THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT REQUIRES THAT PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES PROVIDE ACCESS FOR ALL PEDESTRIANS. ITE IS DEVELOPING AN ONLINE TRAINING COURSE TO HELP TRANSPORTATION PROFESSIONALS UNDERSTAND THE LATEST PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY GUIDELINES DEVELOPED BY THE U.S. ACCESS BOARD AND TO ILLUSTRATE HOW THESE GUIDELINES CAN ACCOMMODATE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
INTRODUCTION
The inclusion of curb ramps in roadway construction has been the practice for many years. However, transportation design professionals have had to provide these facilities with little training or education concerning the best ways to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that pedestrian facilities provide access for all pedestrians, including those with disabilities. In other words, if a pedestrian facility (such as a sidewalk and street crossing) is provided for able-bodied pedestrians, it also must accommodate pedestrians with disabilities. Discrimination is not allowed.
Leaders in the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) are strongly committed to making transportation facilities friendly for motor vehicles as well as all pedestrians. ITE is nearing completion in the development of an online training course to help practicing traffic and highway engineers, planners and transportation managers gain a better understanding of the latest public right-of-way guidelines developed by the U.S. Access Board and to illustrate how these guidelines can be applied when designing sidewalks and intersections to accommodate persons with disabilities.
The four modules in the training course are designed to be informative in identifying the needs of people with disabilities; to provide practical engineering approaches to successfully address these needs on existing facilities; and to serve as a catalyst in promoting innovative solutions to similar challenges at future locations.
MODULE 1-PEDESTRIAN ACCESSIBILITY: INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT
This module provides participants with a background on the evolution of ADA accessibility regulations and the needs of people with disabilities as well as a general sensitivity about accessibility needs. It explores the "why" and "how" that can be accommodated through thoughtful design. Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:
* Discuss key provisions of ADA that require the design of accessible pedestrian facilities; and
* Identify key issues for...