This report originally appeared in the January 2010 issue of DOTmed Business News.
The city of Wilmington, NC, has entered to a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to improve access to civic life for persons with disabilities. The DOJ has achieved the agreement under an initiative-Project Civic Access-which is intended to bring state and local governments into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the DOJ, the Wilmington agreement is the 171st reached under the Project thus far.
Wilmington-a popular tourist spot and TV/Movie filming location-has more than 15,400 residents with disabilities out of a population of just over 99,000-a percentage higher than the national average. Under the agreement the city will make modifications to its facilities so that parking, entrances, public telephones, restrooms, service counters, and drinking fountains are accessible to persons with disabilities; will adopt a grievance procedure to deal with complaints of disability discrimination; and will implement a plan to provide accessible sidewalks and curb ramps.
In Project Civic Access, the DOJ's Civil Rights Division reviews local and state governments and develops technical assistance materials in order to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in civic life. According to the Project's fact sheet, some areas are reviewed in response to complaints filed against the localities, others are chosen due to proximity to a university or tourist attraction.
