Case Study: ADA Compliance Of Select Public Spaces

ADA Compliance of Select Public Spaces

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990 and went into effect, January 26, 1992. The ADA, originally drafted by the National Council on Disability and introduced into the House and Senate in 1988. The ADA was a broad piece of legislation intended to prohibit, ?the exclusion of people with disabilities from everyday activities? (ADA Guide for Small Businesses, 1996). In an attempt to examine the progress of public compliance with the ADA requirements I have chosen to visit and examine three facilities. I have chosen, The Carnegie Library ? Homewood (CLPGH), 7101 Hamilton Avenue, 15208; The Squirrel Hill Community Food Pantry (SHCFP), 828 Hazelwood Avenue, 15217; and UPMC West (UPMCW), 1600 Coraopolis Heights Road, 15108. The CLPGH has been a library since construction and dedication March 10, 1910. The SHCFP moved into this facility in 2008, a concrete block ?Strip Mall? building constructed in

The thought occurred to me that had the ADA not been put into law, where would this person find facilities he could expand his mind and freely participate in community events. I do not believe the ADA requirements intend simply to provide access to facilities. I believe the ADA regulations are intended to treat those with disabilities in a respectful manner, not separate or by accommodation. During my inspection of the three facilities it became clear that while the building modifications can be identified easily, the intent is for the modifications to be invisible. Not a special modification, not a separate facility, not someone to carry your wheelchair up the steps. But a facility where a wheelchair has unencumbered access, access to a public bus, a library, medical facilities, and a food pantry. Places where it no longer should draw attention that people with disabilities have equal access to all