BALTIMORE — The nonprofit Disability Rights Maryland commented today on Baltimore City recently agreeing to make major changes to accessibility on the sidewalks, as part of a settlement with the group.
Baltimore City agreed to spend $44 million on sidewalk and street-ramp improvements, after a lawsuit from wheelchair users.
Disability Rights Maryland called it "a big step toward making Baltimore a more accessible city for everyone."
The group noted it will add 3,000 curb ramps and 500,000 square feet of pedestrian walkways.
Disability Rights Maryland said in an email:
Baltimore City’s own data shows the issue is widespread. A 2019 review found that only about 1.3% of surveyed curb ramps met ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards. Many sidewalks were also damaged or too narrow for wheelchairs and other mobility devices, forcing people with disabilities to use the street alongside traffic, which is dangerous.
Three wheelchair users, along with an independent-living center for people with disabilities, sued the city for failing to properly install and maintain the sidewalks and ramps.
As part of the settlement, the city will also appoint an ADA coordinator, monitor pedestrian accessibility on a 10-year basis, clear clutter and vegetation annually, and communicate with the public about the importance of accessibility on city rights-of-way, according to a press release today.
Mayor Brandon Scott's office is calling it an "unprecedented investment in pedestrian infrastructure."
Scott said in a statement:
As is the case in many historic East Coast cities, the challenge posed by our City’s sidewalks and curbs long predates the Americans with Disabilities Act and adequately changing our infrastructure poses a monumental task. However, under my Administration, we are committed to taking every action necessary to set the City on track to come into compliance with the ADA, and ensure Baltimore is more accessible to our disabled community than ever before. As with every deeply-entrenched problem, achieving this goal will not happen overnight, and it will ultimately cost far more than $44 million included in this settlement. But today, we join with all of our neighbors to announce the largest move in this City’s history to make our sidewalks accessible to everyone.
