ADVISORY COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Receive a staff report regarding a public information effort to increase awareness of respecting accessible routes and parking spaces
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Peter Zibble, TED Operations Manager
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
None
BACKGROUND:
In response to some recent concerns voiced by the public, the Naperville Community Relations Division has released information in an effort to remind Naperville residents of the importance of maintaining accessible routes throughout the city and respecting the needs of those who are lawfully entitled to use reserved accessible parking spaces.
DISCUSSION:
The Community Relations Division published information in a variety of different formats.
Resident Newsletter
An article was added to the October edition of the resident newsletter, Naperville Connected, reminding the public to not block public sidewalks and ramps. In addition to posting on the city website, the newsletter was printed and enclosed with utility bills that were mailed to over 50,000 residents. The article text is as follows:
“Did you know that the City of Naperville improves an average of 400 sidewalk ramps annually to improve accessibility and mobility throughout the city? Residents are reminded do their part, too, by not parking their vehicles so that they obstruct the sidewalks. Title 11, Chapter 2, Article A of Naperville’s Municipal Code prohibits the parking of vehicles on, over or across sidewalks. When vehicles block sidewalks (even partially), pedestrians are forced to navigate around them, which is often difficult and sometimes dangerous for those who are disabled in wheelchairs or using scooters, people using canes or walkers, and our senior citizens. Please do not park your vehicle so that it obstructs the sidewalk.”
Social Media
Three different posts were made on the city’s social media sites on Facebook and Twitter to remind residents to respect the needs of others in the community, those who require clear accessible routes to be able to move throughout the city.
Post #1, September 7, 2020. “In the last 12 months, we’ve written more than 175 tickets to motorists who have parked illegally in handicapped spots. If you don’t have a disability license plate or placard, leave these spaces for people with disabilities. It’s the lawful (and courteous) thing to do.”
Post #2, September 25, 2020. “Did you know that the City of Naperville improves an average of 400 sidewalk ramps annually through our various street maintenance programs? That’s one example of our commitment to improving accessibility throughout the city!”
Post #3, October 9, 2020. “Residents are reminded NOT to park their cars across sidewalks! This greatly restricts mobility for residents in wheelchairs and scooters and is a violation of Naperville’s Municipal Code. Read the applicable section of the Municipal Code here: <https://library.municode.com/il/naperville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT11MOVETR_CH2PA>”
City Website
The following information was posted to the website on October 5, 2020. It can be found on the Residents page in the big picture section at the top. An abbreviated version has also been added to the sliding photos on the homepage as well. This content will remain posted on the city’s website through the end of the year.
“Did you know that the City of Naperville improves an average of 400 sidewalk ramps annually to improve accessibility and mobility throughout the city? Please do your part, too, by not parking your vehicle so that it obstructs the sidewalk. Naperville’s Municipal Code prohibits the parking of vehicles on, over or across sidewalks. When vehicles block sidewalks (even partially), pedestrians are forced to navigate around them, which is often difficult and sometimes dangerous for those who are disabled in wheelchairs or using scooters, people using canes or walkers, and our senior citizens.”