Below are several best practices that the DBTAC - Great Lakes ADA Center was made aware of in the region in the past year. These practices were identified because these innovative ideas helped establish procedures that broaden accessibility with in all aspects of their respective communities and towns. These best practices can be utilized in your own community to help spread the promise of the ADA, ensuring accessibility for everyone regardless of ability.

Creating and Maintaining Accessible Features

Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living Center in Joliet, Illinois

• In December 2002, the Accessible Cities Alliance (ACA) held a protest outside a fast food restaurant near the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living. Prior to the event staff and consumers had written letters to the owner over a span of 18 months asking the owner to address the situation of inaccessible restrooms. The protest lasted about 4 hours during which participants held up signs saying, "What's Our Beef? No Access!" In February 2003, a fully accessible unisex restroom was installed in the restaurant.
• The results of this event include;
  • The Board of Directors of the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living decided that a campaign was critical to bring to the forefront the need for public accommodations to become accessible
  • Staff members along with the Joliet city attorney drafted and proposed an ordinance. In April 2004, the ordinance was passed and required that all businesses be accessible, if they are not accessible they are subject to fines. All businesses that are to be fined have one year to address the issue before being fined. The ordinance also incorporated the fair housing amendments.
  • The city of Joliet hired an ADA inspector who inspects all licensed businesses for accessibility.
  • A hearing committee was established for businesses who claim financial and/or other hardship.
  • In July 2008, the ACA sponsored a Disability Forum featuring the basics of the ADA, emergency preparedness, voting, excreta.
  • The city of Lockport passed an ordinance similar to the one formed in Joliet.
  • Two local banks and one credit union now have programs where businesses can receive lower interest loan rates if modifications address accessibility.

Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis, Indiana

• In July 2006, a young boy wanted to attend the Indiana State Fair, but was unable to due to the state fairgrounds not being accessible for his power chair.
• The results of this event include:
  • The Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services (IPAS) were contacted and assigned an advocate to work with the State Fairgrounds to make accessibility modifications.
  • The IPAS is an independent state agency that protects and promotes the rights of individuals with disabilities.
  • Festival planners were contacted and given a copy of the Accessible Temporary Events, A Planning Guide allowing the planners to have the tools to make festivals accessible to everyone.
  • In 2006, IPAS partnered with the Indiana Office of Tourism Development and ISFA, on a project focused on access to temporary events in the state of Indiana. IPAS mailed approximately 1,000 hard copies of Accessible Temporary Events, A Planning Guide.
  • After planners receive this guidebook, IPAS will continue to provide information and will serve as a resource to event planners statewide, answering any questions that may arise during this and future temporary events.

Council for Community Accessibility (CCA) in Bloomington, Indiana

• Since the 1990's the CCA and Bloomington's ADA Coordinator have been using the AccessAbility Decal Program to provide businesses with free accessibility surveying.
• As a result of the AccessAbility Decal Program:
  • Each business receives a report that includes the identified barriers within the establishment and possible solutions for those barriers.
  • When businesses resolve the identified barriers they are awarded an AccessAbility Decal. This Decal is a small emblem sticker that the business can display on their doors.
  • The Bloomington Chamber of Commerce developed and printed copies of "Making Places of Public Accommodations Accessible to All" and "Hiring and Supporting People with Disabilities." CCA members provided input and technical review of the information.
  • In 2009, the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce will revise and reprint both booklets with funding from ADA-Indiana and the Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities.