Adams County officials begin drafting ADA Transition plan

During their Sept. 11 meeting, the Adams County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing regarding the draft of the county’s American With Disabilities Act (ADA) Self Evaluation and Transition Plan.

Public Works Director Todd O’Brien said because Adams County receives federal funding, staff are required to draft a plan.

The plan identifies the physical obstacles at each of the County’s facilities and public right of ways limiting the access of its programs, activities or services to individuals with disabilities. It also describes the necessary improvements in order to make the facilities ADA compliant.

In 2009, Adams County adopted an ADA policy and grievance procedure. While it has addressed concerns and made improvements to county facilities, it had not created an inventory of ADA deficiencies prior to drafting the plan.

For public input on the plan, Adams County staff solicited participation from residents with disabilities as well as individual stakeholders and groups.

Staff also held public workshops in Ritzville and Othello in June to collect input where no comments were received at either workshop. O’Brien said staff have been working on the plan for over two years.

Adams County staff consulted with Paul Coppock of The DOH Associates, PS, to complete a compliance review of the public use facilities.

Evaluated items included accessible routes of travel from a public way to spaces in a facility, stability of floor surface, and the width and maneuvering space of doors and doorways.

The company also determined if a facility’s features such as alarms, signage and telephones were of proper access to someone with disabilities.

Adams County staff conducted reviews on public right of way to on conditions of sidewalks, curb ramps, crossings and detectable warning surfaces.

Each improvement project on the list includes a brief description of the deficiency, recommended correction, estimated cost and is designated a Priority Level 1-5.

Projects designated Priority Level 1 can be completed by Public Works staff.

Some of these projects include clearing landscaping from the sidewalk, adjusting restroom doors and replacing door knobs.

The Public Works Department will need to budget funds for projects marked Priority Levels 2-5. The completion of these projects will depend on the schedule and available funding.

O’Brien said there are some projects in the Priority Level 2-5 that were worked on in special circumstances such as replacing the service counter at the prosecutor’s office.

The project itself is designated Priority Level 3, however the service counter will be replaced while crews are remodeling the prosecutor’s office.

O’Brien added when staff members are gathering input for the Adam’s County Capital Improvement Program, they can address an ADA compliance issue while staff makes those improvements.

“There’s no time requirement, but if you plan to repair a sidewalk, make sure there is an ADA ramp attached to it,” O’Brien said.

After the Adams County Commissioners approve the plan, it will be available for the public to read at the courthouse or the Adams County website.

The document will be reviewed regularly for needed updates until the modifications are complete.