FAQs
- 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
- 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 psmith@hillside-il.gov.
- 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 psmith@hillside-il.gov and you will be added to the email list.
- 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
Why does Hillside need an ADA Transition Plan?
Many areas of the Village of Hillside's public right-of-way are challenging to people with disabilities and may not comply with accessibility guidelines. 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 Hillside to build upon the long-standing commitment to improving accessibility throughout the Village.
A transition plan must:
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.
How can I get involved?
We need to hear about your personal experiences with accessibility in your community to develop this ADA transition plan. Here are a few ways for you to get involved:
Why is accessibility compliance important?
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 to 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.
Who’s leading the ADA Transition Plans?
Lincolnwood is partnering with CMAP and Vitruvian Planning to develop the plan. More than 800,000 people in northeastern Illinois have one or more disabilities. This is why CMAP wants to improve accessibility in our region.
This effort is vital for all. It creates a fair, inclusive community. Northeastern Illinois needs to improve mobility and access. This helps economic opportunity and quality of life.
The ON TO 2050 plan aims for inclusive growth. It suggests ways to improve street access and create accessible housing. It also recommends supporting job pathways for people with disabilities.
We will tackle these challenges by working together. We want a region where everyone can thrive. Visit the main page for ON TO 2050 to learn more about this effort and how it fits into a larger vision.