Accessibility is vital to creating an inclusive and thriving northeastern Illinois. Everyone in our region — including people with disabilities — needs to be able to get to work, visit with family and friends, access the goods and services they need, and enjoy all the region has to offer — dining, shopping, arts, sports, and recreation.

That’s why the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is implementing a program to help communities in northeastern Illinois improve accessibility for their residents and visitors with disabilities.

In particular, the program will equip local governments with the resources they need to improve their compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including completing self-evaluations and transition plans — two requirements of the law. As a result, CMAP will help the region take important steps toward creating a transportation system that works better for everyone.

On this page, you can find the latest information about the program and resources to improve accessibility in your community. For questions, email accessibility@cmap.illinois.gov.

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Accessibility creates opportunity

Transportation is a literal route to opportunity, connecting residents to jobs, education, and services. But people with disabilities face barriers in moving around the region. Past CMAP research has shown that one in five residents with disabilities did not travel on an average day, compared to fewer than one in 10 other residents. 

We cannot achieve a prosperous, equitable region if people with disabilities are excluded.

There are economic benefits

Communities that are accessible are welcoming to everyone — residents, visitors, and shoppers. People with disabilities in the U.S. have about $500 billion in annual disposable income, which they are more likely to spend in communities that are accessible to them.

Many people have, or will have, disabilities

Our population is aging, with the senior population projected to increase by 880,000 people between 2015 and 2050. One-third of Americans over age 65 experience a disability that limits their mobility. And disability can affect any of us, at any time.

Everyone benefits

Accessibility improvements don’t just benefit those with disabilities. They make it easier for everyone to go about their daily lives. For example, curb cuts at sidewalk corners — originally intended for people using wheelchairs — make trips easier for parents with strollers, children on bikes, and people rolling luggage, among others.

It is required

Compliance with the ADA improves the resilience of our region. By meeting federal requirements, we can help ensure our region continues to receive millions of dollars in annual transportation funding.

Read more about the importance of accessibility.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted on July 26, 1990, is a civil rights law prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities.

Under Title II of the ADA, people with disabilities must have an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from state and local governments’ programs, services, and activities. Title II applies to state agencies, villages, cities, counties, schools, park and special purpose districts, transit agencies, colleges and universities, community colleges, libraries, and even museums when operating using public funds.

All local governments must conduct an ADA self-evaluation.

Local governments with 50 or more employees (either full- or part-time) must:

• Designate an employee responsible for coordinating ADA compliance
• Create a transition plan
• Keep documents related to the self-evaluation for three years, including the consulted stakeholders and description of areas examined, problems identified, and modifications made

Still, it is strongly recommended that all local governments — regardless of their size — designate an ADA coordinator and keep records related to the self-evaluation.

A self-evaluation is a local government’s assessment of the accessibility of its programs, services, facilities, policies, and procedures. The self-evaluation identifies and corrects barriers to access that are inconsistent with Title II requirements (28 CFR. Sec. 35.105).

A self-evaluation must:

• Evaluate current facilities, programs, services, policies, and practices for accessibility compliance
• Identify necessary changes to become compliant
• Provide an opportunity for the public to participate in the self-evaluation process

Findings from the self-evaluation are often included as part of a transition plan.

A transition plan identifies existing programs, services, facilities, policies, and procedures that require changes, and outlines the steps necessary to become accessible.

A transition plan must:

• Identify physical obstacles that limit accessibility
• Provide an opportunity for the public to participate in developing the plan
• Describe how the facilities will be made accessible
• Include a schedule to achieve compliance
• List the official responsible for implementing the plan

An ADA coordinator is an employee designated by a local government to coordinate ADA compliance and investigate complaints. This is often the same employee who will manage the development and implementation of the transition plan (although there is no requirement that it is the same person).

The ADA coordinator should be aware of engineering challenges associated with accessibility, including design standards, or should establish a close working relationship with relevant staff members or a consulting engineer.

CMAP will equip local governments with the resources they need to improve accessibility and comply with the ADA.

Our program will:

• Educate communities about the law
• Support municipalities in appointing local ADA coordinators
• Support municipalities in completing self-evaluations
• Support municipalities in creating transition plans
• Encourage implementation of accessibility improvements

Since 2021, CMAP has been busy laying the foundation for this collaborative initiative. We have added staff and hired consultants to develop trainings and provide communities with support (see training information below).

Learn more about the program:

CMAP is offering free trainings to educate local communities on the ADA and their obligations under the law.

You'll learn about ADA and Title II requirements, how to complete a self-evaluation, the role of an ADA coordinator, and how to develop a transition plan.

This detailed list of accessibility and ADA compliance resources helps local governments understand federal regulations, connect with regional partners, access trainings, and find interpreter and other accessibility services. 

Newsletter

Accessible Communities newsletter: Sign up to receive updates from CMAP on accessibility planning and ADA information for communities.

Multimedia

• Podcast: ADA Compliance and Improving Accessibility: Linda Mastandrea, civil rights and disability attorney, talks about the history of the ADA, how compliance can help cities, and what cities should be doing to create an ADA transition plan.
• Blog post: Making northeastern Illinois accessible to all: CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman shares why accessibility matters to her and why it’s important for the region to work together.
• Stories of accessibility: Hear from residents with disabilities about their experiences with transportation in the region:
  • Roadblock: Unsafe street stands in way of resident’s commute
  • Journey home: Searching for an accessible way to visit family
  • A route to work — and a better quality of life: Q&A with a long-time CTA rider
  • Profile: Heather and Garland Armstrong, a couple with disabilities
  • Profile: Cindi Swanson, a woman with vision loss in the western suburbs

Tools

Templates, toolkits, and other resources coming soon.