Making Route 1’s Historic Corridor Accessible for Everyone
The Route 1 corridor has a lot of historic charm thanks to buildings from the first half of the 20th century that have been saved and restored.
But for the same reason, it also has areas that are poorly designed by modern standards, making them inaccessible to people with disabilities.
In an essay posted Sunday on the anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, Hyattsville resident Michael Angeloni pointed out that fixing these trouble spots benefits far more than just individuals with disabilities, it also creates a safer environment for parents pushing strollers, older residents at risk of falls and anyone recovering from an injury.
“Accessibility should also become a routine part of planning every major city initiative,” he wrote. “Whether we’re renovating a park, redesigning a street, launching a new website, or hosting a community festival, accessibility shouldn’t be an afterthought. It should be one of the first questions we ask.”
In Hyattsville, residents have long complained about the post office on Gallatin Street, the pedestrian at the Hyattsville Crossing Metro station and utility poles in the middle of sidewalks on streets like 42nd Avenue, according to a January article in Hyattsville Life & Times.
While the ADA requires new buildings be accessible, older problems are typically only addressed when there is a complaint, so this is one area where the public can help.
If you spot a blocked sidewalk, a broken ramp, or an accessibility barrier in Hyattsville, you can report city-managed issues through the MyHyattsville app, county issues via PGC311, or state-managed stretches through the MDOT SHA service portal.
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Unfunded mandates are never good. There has to be some degree of funding as not to place the burden on the business. There is no excuse for the postoffice not to be ADA compliant.
Access has been the Federal law since the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act regulations of 1977. Maryland has had similar laws for years. Good access is good business. A ramp does not benefit a person in a wheelchair or with a mobility impairment. It is also a boon for a mom/dad pushing a stroller or an elderly person who while able-bodied has issues with steps. The more access a business has the more customers who can reach it. Years ago I litigated these issues as the first General Counsel of what is now the Access Board.