Letter to the editor:
Many of Fort Atkinson’s nearly 3,000 voters who cast ballots for Tuesday’s election did so in person despite severe weather conditions. Citizens with disabilities who voted in person on Tuesday faced challenges with our public right-of-way adjacent to the Municipal Building, because of a lack of designated parking, and had to deal with the access problem by finding other non-designated parking – during bad weather conditions.
In September 2023, the federal government, in concert with the Americans with Disabilities Act, issued guidelines for the accessibility of pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way, to ensure such facilities are readily accessible to, and usable, by pedestrians with disabilities.
Access rules address such things as the number of on-street parking spaces to be designated as “by permit only.” The City of Fort Atkinson makes accommodations for designated parking but based on what we saw on Tuesday, are we doing enough in this area?
During public comments at Thursday’s city council meeting (April 4, 2024), I asked that for special events, such as, but not limited to, Tuesday’s election activity at our Municipal Building, our police department will set up temporary designated parking spaces adjacent to the Municipal Building, to accommodate persons with disabilities. This will hopefully minimize most of the access difficulties witnessed earlier this week during Spring Election, regardless of rain or shine.
This request has no cost to our taxpayers; however, the City of Fort Atkinson Ordinance Committee may wish to consider amending our parking ordinance under Article VIII § 94-429, entitled, “Handicapped parking.”
It is expected that our elected city representatives should let reasons be known if this request cannot be enacted.
John Donohue
Citizens for a Greater Fort Atkinson
File photo.
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