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Final accessibility trainings in April and May
The last planned sessions in the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)’s free accessibility trainings series are coming up in mid-April and early May. If a representative from your community hasn’t already attended, we encourage you to take this opportunity to learn about improving accessibility and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), with a focus on the public right-of-way. Spaces are limited, so please register soon!
Upcoming trainings at a glance:
- Module 3: ADA self-evaluation and design standards
- Module 4: ADA transition plans
- PROWAG sessions (full day)
- Illinois Accessibility Code training
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Accessibility in the public right-of-way panel at upcoming National Planning Conference
CMAP's accessible communities program manager, Jaemi Jackson, will present with partners Dr. Yochai Eisenberg of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), Robin Jones from the Great Lakes ADA Center, and Travis Helmkamp of Oates Associates at the upcoming American Planning Association National Planning Conference. The conference takes place in Minneapolis from April 13 to 16. The panel "Be an ADA Title II Pro(w)" will be on Sunday, April 14 at 8:30 a.m. We hope to see you there!
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New resource outlines accessibility requirements when planning and implementing bike lanes
CMAP is excited to share “Accessibility considerations for bike lanes,” a practical guide for municipalities and planners that explores ADA requirements related to parking, crosswalks, and sidewalk access in the context of separated bike lanes. It's about a five-minute read, which touches on the legal risks associated with non-compliance and provides a list of relevant resources and design guides.
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Northeastern Illinois priority projects feature accessibility improvements
CMAP collaborated with stakeholders throughout northeastern Illinois to achieve consensus around prioritizing transportation projects for federal investment. The highest priority projects for the region are reflected in 2024 Northeastern Illinois Priority Investments, with accessibility featured as a top goal. Some notable projects expanding accessibility include:
- I-290 Blue Line Modernization project, which features accessibility, mobility, and safety improvements as a primary focus areas
- Amtrak’s Chicago Hub Improvement Project, which includes accessibility and rider experience improvements for Amtrak and Metra, and accessibility improvements at Union Station
- Expanded free and reduced fare programs for people with disabilities
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CMAP planners share insights on paratransit in metropolitan Chicago
CMAP Principal Planner Jaemi Jackson and Policy Analyst Nikolas Merten joined partners from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) as presenters at UIC's Urban Transportation Center Spring Seminar Series. The presentation, "The Outlook for Paratransit Across Metropolitan Chicago in 2024," covered transit accessibility requirements under the ADA, expected growth in paratransit ridership, funding challenges, and strategies for a more accessible and affordable transportation system for all.
We're proud to be a part of this important discussion and encourage you to check out the recordings and materials below.
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Planning and research grants available through IDOT
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced $7 million in available grants for select projects and activities that help advance the state's long-range transportation and planning goals. The deadline to apply is Sunday, April 14.
Awards will be chosen based on the ability to study or implement a goal, strategy, or objective of IDOT's Long-Range Transportation Plan or one of the agency's multimodal plans, such as the Walk Roll Illinois active transportation plan, and Statewide Public Transportation Plan. Eligible activities include planning studies, data collection and analysis, research and program development, performance management, and outreach efforts.
Local and state agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, regional planning commissions, and nonprofit entities with public sponsors can apply. To receive the grants, successful applicants must agree to provide a funding match of 20 percent. Proposals that benefit disadvantaged or economically distressed communities will be given priority consideration and are eligible for full funding.
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IDOT purchases more than 500 paratransit vehicles
Illinois transit providers and nonprofits serving seniors and people with disabilities have been awarded more than 500 paratransit vehicles valued at $57.1 million. The vehicles were purchased through IDOT’s Consolidated Vehicle Procurement Program, which helps smaller agencies and organizations navigate red tape, ensures vehicles meet federal requirements, and buys vehicles at a lower cost to the public through volume purchasing. This paratransit investment supports our region’s ON TO 2050 transportation equity goals.
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Pace offers free bus rides and subsidized rideshare trips for ADA certified riders
Pace Suburban Bus introduced two new programs this year that benefit eligible certified ADA paratransit riders.
- As of February 2024, Pace passengers who are certified for ADA paratransit service can ride for free on any Pace fixed route. Learn more about Pace’s Accessible Fixed Route Service.
- Pace’s Rideshare Access Program provides a subsidy for Uber or UZURV rideshare trips for eligible ADA paratransit riders. Learn more and enroll in the program.
Riders must have ADA paratransit certification from the RTA to participate in in these programs.
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SNAP recipients can now ride Metra for a reduced price
The RTA, Cook County, and Metra have partnered to launch the Access Pilot Program to grant reduced fare permits for individuals who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and live in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will counties. The program is now accepting enrollees and extends through July 31, 2025.
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Proposed census disability definition change dropped
Earlier this year, we shared information on a proposed change to the way the U.S. Census Bureau defines disabilities that would have made it more difficult to accurately count Americans with disabilities. The bureau has since announced that it will not change the disability questions in its 2025 American Community Survey.
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