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Accessibility considerations during construction season
Inaccessible pedestrian routes in and around construction zones can cause delays, confusion, frustration, and even bodily harm.
Providing accessible sidewalks and crosswalks during construction isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s required. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), governments must provide equal access for people with disabilities.
Check out the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's (CMAP) new article on how to provide accessible temporary routes during construction.
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CMAP invites local government ADA coordinators to attend the August 12 Regional ADA Coordinators Group meeting.
We are excited to offer CMAP's new accessible public engagement training workshop during this meeting!
The session covers how to plan, host, and facilitate accessible in-person and virtual public engagement events. Attendees will also receive a digital and printable accessible public engagement handbook.
ADA coordinators are welcome to pass this invitation along to colleague(s) whose work deals with public engagement.
Upcoming meeting details:
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Topic: Accessible public engagement training
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When: Tuesday, August 12, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
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Virtual meeting format: Zoom link provided upon registration
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If you require an accommodation to participate, please email accessibility@cmap.illinois.gov at least two weeks before the meeting.
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Planning assistance awarded to accessibility compliance projects
Dozens of communities throughout northeastern Illinois will receive technical assistance from CMAP to improve traffic safety, make travel more accessible, increase transportation choices, and help them prosper in the years ahead.
We're pleased to add four more communities to the ADA self-evaluation and transition planning assistance roster: Channahon, Lynwood, South Elgin, and Waukegan!
Updates on CMAP technical assistance projects already underway:
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The Village of Richmond recently completed its first Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan, which includes recommendations to make the community more accessible for all.
- The Village of Roselle’s ADA transition plan is on track for completion this summer. The team is finalizing the draft plan, compiling data, and incorporating community insights.
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Celebrating 35 years of ADA and Disability Pride Month
July is Disability Pride Month and the ADA will celebrate its 35th anniversary on July 26. CMAP is proud to recognize this important civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and public places.
Join us in recognizing this historic milestone — check out the official ADA Anniversary Toolkit for ways to celebrate and share.
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How to conduct a web accessibility self-audit
Our northern neighbors at the Minnesota IT Services Office of Accessibility routinely share excellent resources — including this recent feature on how to check websites and mobile apps for accessibility issues. Identifying digital accessibility issues is an important step in preparing for new federal web and mobile accessibility standards that will be effective beginning next spring.
As a reminder, state and local governments (including agencies or departments of state or local governments) are required to comply with new web and mobile app accessibility guidelines by the following dates:
- April 26, 2026 for state and local governments with 50,000 or more people
- April 26, 2027 for state and local governments with less than 50,000 people
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Forest Preserves of Cook County now offering all-terrain wheelchairs
Nature should be accessible to everyone. That's why the Forest Preserves of Cook County is providing 13 all-terrain wheelchairs, distributed across each of its six nature centers, as well as at camps and special events. The wheelchairs are equipped with arm-powered levers for propulsion and braking, mountain bike tires, and a third wheel for enhanced stability.
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