Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinal DAC Survey 09-06-13DISABILITY ADVISORY COUNCIL SURVEY The Disability Advisory Council (DAC) is a group of people, most of whom have disabilities, who advise city officials about issues or barriers that affect citizens with disabilities, particularly within the city. The purpose of asking these questions is to find out from more individuals with disabilities what they see as problems to be raised with city officials so that we can strategize how to address those problems. We define ‘disability’ very broadly – so if you feel you have something useful to say, please feel free to answer the questions. The DAC does not have the ability to fix an individual’s specific problem or complaint, such as a complaint about a specific broken curb ramp in front of your house or the fact that you are hard of hearing and were unable to hear at a particular city meeting. B ut saying something like: “There are broken curb ramps in my neighborhood”, or “I had trouble hearing at a Common Council meeting, how come there isn’t a way for me to hear better?” would be appropriate and very helpful to the DAC. If you do have a problem and you want to make a complaint here is a link to the City of Ithaca website to make it online. Once you have made the complaint you will be able to track its status online. Please answer the questions below: Using the checklist below, please indicate what challenges you face in the city of Ithaca as a person with a disability; please feel free to expand on your answers as well in the space provided: Here are some issues: (check the box for those that you’ve encountered)  Broken, missing sidewalk: __________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________  Snow and ice doesn’t get removed soon enough :_________________________ ___________________________________________________________________  I can’t use the city website:___________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________  A door was too heavy to open:________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________  Someone wouldn’t let me bring my service dog into a public building:__________ ___________________________________________________________________  Vegetation (bushes/flowers/trees) obstructed my pathway on the sidewalk and/or cross walk:_______________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________  There were no audible cross walk signals (please specify location):___________ ___________________________________________________________________ □ I wanted to come to a city meeting but decided not to because I thought I wouldn’t be able to hear or read the information shared _________________________ ______________________________________________________________________  Cars or other vehicles parked across sidewalks __________________________ _______________________________________________________________  Other (please be specific in describing the problem):_______________________ ___________________________________________________________________ What do you think could be done to remove these obstacles?_____________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Please check all boxes that apply: □ I live in the city (please list specific street): __________________________________ □ I work in the city □ I live in Tompkins County □ I’m a visitor The Disability Advisory Council plans to publicize the results of this survey and will also discuss the results at a future regular meeting. The Disability Advisory Council meets on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 12:15 p.m. in Common Council Chambers, City Hall, 108 East Green Street. The public is invited and welcome to attend anytime. Thank you for your answers! 9/6/13 November 11, 2014 2013 Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) Survey Summary: Challenges and Recommendations Prepared For: Ithaca City Administration Survey and Summary Overview: This survey was advertised broadly throughout city in Fall, 2013. We had 85 people respond. We asked them to check off any of the listed challenges they believe an individual with a disability faces in Ithaca, with the option of checking “other” and writing in. They were then asked the open ended question, “What do you think could be done to remove these obstacles”. Below is a summary of the trends in challenges cited, as well as recommendations offered by our community members. Challenges for people with disabilities, as cited by survey responders:  Nearly 60% cited poor snow and ice removal.  Nearly 3% said there was need for more effective communication methods to be provided via city website, while over 10% cited effective communication needs to be more present at city meetings.  30% cited cars or other vehicles blocking/parking across sidewalks.  Nearly 50% cited trees and bushes obstructing pathways, sidewalks, or crosswalks.  Trends seen in open ended comments were: o Lack of accessible parking options and/or accessible parking spaces being taken by others without disabilities, including city employees/offices. o Other people, including city employees, lacking awareness, education, or appropriate attitudes toward individuals with disabilities and their needs. o More comments re/ manmade obstructions on sidewalks, such as tables and chairs on sidewalks, trees on curbs, providing little walking space between/around, etc. November 11, 2014 Recommendations:  ENFORCEMENT AND EDUCATION: a majority of responders cited the need for widespread education on the above issues, as well as for the City and Police to hold property and business owners responsible/accountable. Specific suggestions include: o Stronger education and enforcement, such as through issuing fines, when owners don’t keep sidewalks clear of obstructions and/or snow/ice o Ticketing people who violate accessible parking rules o Install signage where parking is restricted so as to not block accessible spaces or entrances o Educating TCAT drivers more about driving slower o Educating everyone more about disability issues and needs o Including information on city website about how to report problems like this as well as how to get ahold of the DAC.  FOCUS ON SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL/MAINTENANCE: City needs to prioritize this more. One person suggested that the City keep a registry of community members/volunteers who can shovel or who the City can hire to do snow removal, such as for elderly and disabled people.  FIX BROKEN SIDEWALKS AND CURB CUTS: this included fixing other barriers that exist, but primary emphasis was on sidewalks.  IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AT CITY MEETINGS: provide priority seating for people with visual/hearing disabilities; give information in multiple formats (i.e. Braille, electronically, etc).  INVOLVE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN PLANNING: A few people emphasized the need for incorporating accessibility improvements during construction and renovations and that citizens with disabilities should be sought out/consulted during the planning and review phases.