New Rochelle was one of 20 municipalities included in a recent state audit of accessibility in public, government-owned facilities, and the only one in the Lower Hudson Valley.
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and the New York State Division of Local Government and School Accountability identified 171 accessibility components in New Rochelle city buildings that needed improvements. They released their report May 6.
The state recommended updating items like interior signs with raised lettering and Braille, wheelchair accessible lavatories in restrooms, elevator doors that reopen automatically when obstructed by an object or person, and more.
How Americans with Disabilities Act influences accessibility recommendations
Physical accessibility has been an important aspect of public facilities since the federal Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990. Title II of the ADA banned discrimination based on disability by state and local governments, including in their buildings.
In 2010, when the ADA Standard for Accessible Design was released, it established a set of requirements for newly designed local government facilities and accommodations. Structures built on or after March 15, 2012 had to comply with the regulations, further underscoring the importance of having accessible public facilities that accommodate people with disabilities or limited mobility.
Accessibility in New Rochelle public buildings
The state report used the Standard for Accessible Design to “help identify where New Rochelle city officials could consider taking additional steps to increase physical accessibility to programs and services.”
Overall, the state recommended 171 accessibility improvements out of a total 895 physical accessibility components that were examined across these four city-owned locations in New Rochelle:
‘Committed to improving accessibility:’ New Rochelle’s response to report findings
New Rochelle has reviewed the 171 improvements recommended by the state and said the city plans to start making updates right away. Things like adding Braille to signage and replacing door knobs could be updated “immediately,” City Manager Wilfredo Melendez said in a letter responding to the report.
“The city of New Rochelle is committed to improving accessibility at all city-owned facilities,” Melendez said in the letter. “We will continue to advance strategies for identifying and addressing potential accessibility barriers and make necessary changes to comply with the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.”
The city said it plans to use the state’s findings to continue making accessibility improvements in the coming years.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: How accessible are New Rochelle’s city buildings? NYS comptroller releases audit
Reporting by Samantha Antrum, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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