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- Chris Krueger
651-366-4263
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Minnesota Department of
Transportation
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395 John Ireland Blvd.
Mail Stop 150
St. Paul, MN 55155-1899
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Mn/DOT makes ADA Transition Plan available for public comment
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Community members are invited to provide feedback to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Americans with Disability Act Transition plan, which was made available online today and remains open for public comment until Dec. 23.
“It is critical that Mn/DOT provide access to all transportation facilities, services, programs and policies,” said Tom Sorel, transportation commissioner. “While our current system is accessible, we encourage individuals to read the plan and offer suggestions so we can make any necessary improvements.”
The transition plan at www.dot.state.mn.us/ada details how the organization will ensure that all of its facilities, services, programs and activities are accessible to all individuals.
Mn/DOT developed the transition plan following a self-evaluation of physical assets and current policies and practices. The agency identified seven areas that must establish and maintain inventories. Those areas are: fixed work sites, rest areas, accessible pedestrian signals, curb ramp and sidewalks, transit, pedestrian bridge and underpasses and policies.
Mn/DOT also worked with an external advisory group of citizens with disabilities and advocates for disability groups to provide feedback, guidance and real-life experience about how they encounter Mn/DOT’s facilities, programs and services.
“Mn/DOT developed this plan with valued input from our advisory group and based on best practices from other ADA transition plans throughout the country,” said Nick Thompson, Mn/DOT project manager
Well-designed pedestrian ramps and audible pedestrian signals at intersections are important accessibility designs for Mn/DOT facilities. The plan outlines how Mn/DOT will incorporate these elements and others in to the transportation system.
The Mn/DOT Transition Plan will be finalized after public comments are addressed.
To request this document in an alternative format call 651-366-4720 or e-mail your request to ADArequest@dot.state.mn.us.
Minnesota Department of Transportation
Americans with Disability Act Transition Background
• The ADA is a civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against individuals on the basis of disability enacted in 1990.
• Following passage of the ADA, Mn/DOT began a decentralized process to address the requirements that pedestrian walkways and crosswalks be accessible and useable by persons with disabilities. Mn/DOT districts worked independently to install curb ramps needed within the state’s right of way. All curb ramp projects were completed by 1995.
• At the same time, Mn/DOT districts identified other needed improvements, which focused primarily on accessibility to buildings and rest areas. Additional accessibility improvements were scheduled to be addressed when new facilities or roads were built or current facilities or infrastructure was slated for rehabilitation or reconstruction.
• In September 2006, Mn/DOT assigned an ADA coordinator and drafted notice of ADA requirements to employees, applicants and others who use agency services, programs and activities. The agency also established a grievance/ complaint process to address user concerns related to inaccessible pedestrian and transportation facilities that fell under Mn/DOT’s jurisdiction.
• In September 2007, Mn/DOT formed an internal ADA Advisory Council to assess and determine accessibility program needs and provide guidance to agency administrators. The group included staff statewide in the areas of Technical Support, Design, Investment Management, Construction, Traffic Operations, Maintenance Operations, Transit, Aeronautics and State Aid.
• In 2007, Mn/DOT also updated its policy and procedures to more effectively respond to requests for Accessible Pedestrian Signals. The policy and procedures required APS be installed at every signalized intersection and that pedestrian signal be installed at new and reconstruction projects.
• In spring 2008, Mn/DOT launched ADA Web pages for public use. The pages included a Non-Discrimination Notice, links to accessibility guidelines and information, and an online grievance process for users to voice concerns regarding barriers to access.
• Also in 2008, Mn/DOT formed an external advisory group, made up of citizens with disabilities and advocates for disability groups, to provide important feedback and real-life experience about how they encounter Mn/DOT’s facilities, programs and services.
• Later in 2008, Mn/DOT adopted a Technical Memorandum clarifying pedestrian curb ramp installation requirements.
• That same year, Mn/DOT contracted with an independent consultant to conduct an objective evaluation of the organization’s current policies, procedures and practices about ADA and Title II. The evaluation analyzed the impact of Mn/DOT’s policies, procedures and practices on accessibility in the state and how accessibility affected people with disabilities and suggested modifications to bring them in to compliance.
• Mn/DOT began offering ADA Title II training in 2008 to local partners and agency engineers and other employees in maintenance, design, construction and planning.
• In 2009, Mn/DOT adopted Public Rights of Way Accessibilities Guidelines as its primary guidance for public facility design. Mn/DOT is currently integrating PROWAG
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