FAQs

Many areas of the City of Berwyn’s public right-of-way are not accessible to people with disabilities and do not comply with accessibility rules, for example: broken (or nonexistent) sidewalks, intersections without curb ramps and crosswalks, and inaccessible street parking. These barriers prevent people with disabilities from having equal access to jobs, education, healthcare, services, transit access, and other important quality of life amenities.

Due to the challenge of bringing the entirety of a community’s pedestrian network into compliance an ADA PROW Transition Plan was developed to assist communities in prioritizing and scheduling future improvements. The transition plan serves as a tool to assist the City of Berwyn to build upon the long-standing commitment to improving accessibility throughout the city.

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

Planning for and building accessible public spaces is the law. Accessibility also benefits the broader community by improving walkability, safety, and access for all, while supporting vibrant and inclusive communities.  

Some Key corridors and areas in that have been identified early in the planning process include:

• Roosevelt Road
• Cermak Road
• Depot District
• Ogden Avenue
• Schools
• Berwyn public library
• Parks
• City Hall and Recreation department
• Metra stations

We need to hear about your personal experiences traveling around the city to develop the best possible ADA transition plan. Here are a few ways for you to get involved:

• Attend meetings and visit us at local events! Check out our calendar for upcoming in-person and virtual engagement opportunities.
• Join the steering committee – A steering committee is actively being formed to provide feedback on the planning process. The steering committee will consist of a diverse group of Village residents including representatives from the local disability community. If you are interested in potentially joining the steering committee, please email berwynada@oatesassociates.com.
• Drop a pin on the map — show and tell us where you encounter accessibility issues in your daily life.
• Sign up to receive email updates about the project and opportunities to provide your input. If you would like to receive updates about the project, please email berwynada@oatesassociates.com. and you will be added to the email list.

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, special purpose districts, transit agencies, and other entities that use public funds. A self-evaluation is a requirement under Title II of the ADA; it helps public entities identify and document barriers to equal access and create a transition plan for addressing these barriers.  

ADA compliance is important because it 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.

• Everyone – including people with disabilities – has a right to use pedestrian facilities. 
  • Accessible alternate pedestrian routes are required during closures for construction.
     
• Accessible and safe pedestrian facilities benefit not only people with disabilities, but also people using strollers, elderly people, children, and distracted walkers.
   
• All newly constructed pedestrian facilities must meet applicable standards. 
  • The cost of improvements is never an allowable reason to not provide accessibility.
    
    
• Accessibility is required in many elements of the public right-of-way, including but not limited to: 
  • Pedestrian crossing signals (audible and vibrotactile features) 
  • Crosswalk push buttons and signal cycle timing 
  • Curb ramps 
  • On-street parking 
  • Transit stops 
  • Sidewalk width

The City of Berwyn is partnering with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and Oates Associates to develop its ADA PROW transition plan. With over 800,000 people with disabilities in northeastern Illinois, CMAP is focused on improving accessibility across the region. This effort is crucial not only for those with disabilities but for everyone, as it fosters a more inclusive and equitable community.

Northeastern Illinois has faced challenges in removing barriers to mobility and access, impacting economic opportunity and quality of life. The ON TO 2050 plan, which emphasizes inclusive growth, outlines strategies to enhance accessibility in public rights of way, create accessible housing, and support career pathways for individuals with disabilities.

By working together, we aim to address these challenges and build a region where everyone can thrive. To learn more about the regional effort and how it fits into the larger vision, please visit the main page.