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Accessibility task force urges visitability, universal design and codified standards for Connected Communities
Summary
An accessibility task force told the Healthy Neighborhoods Committee it wants Connected Communities revised to require visitable and accessible housing, tax incentives for accessible units, codified federal standards and stronger requirements for accessible parking and appeals processes.
Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Kearney’s Healthy Neighborhoods Committee on Wednesday heard a presentation from the Accessibility Task Force on ways to make the city’s Connected Communities ordinance more accessible to people with disabilities and residents aging in place.
The task force recommended adopting “visitability” and higher accessibility standards in new housing, pursuing tax credits for developers who build accessible units, codifying federal accessibility standards locally and strengthening accessible parking and appeals processes.
The task force framed accessibility on three levels: visitability—an accessible entrance, a 32‑inch doorway and a first‑floor accessible bathroom that allows short visits; accessibility—full compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act standards so a person can live comfortably in a unit; and universal design—housing and public spaces designed to be usable by everyone without adaptation. “Universal design is the future of accessibility,” Sister Kelly, co‑chair of the task force, said. “We want to work towards universal design but … we are recommending that developers build everything at least to be accessible for the people of Cincinnati.”
Dee Henry, co‑chair and disability rights and advocacy specialist at Independence Alliance, urged the committee to make the legislative process itself accessible by providing plain‑language summaries and accessible formats and by clarifying what accommodations are available in the ordinance’s appeals process. Henry said the task force also recommends periodic reviews of the Connected Communities provisions so new accessibility best practices can be incorporated after enactment.
On housing affordability, the task force proposed multiple approaches: market‑rate accessible units, “affordable” units set at 30 percent of area median income, and income‑based subsidies (30 percent of a household’s income) for rental assistance. The group also asked the city to explore tax credits to make construction of accessible units financially viable for developers.
The presentation addressed site design standards including accessible pathways, signage following the U.S. Access Board and ADA guidance, and electric‑vehicle charging and parking. Henry asked that the city increase the proportion of accessible parking spaces in developments where overall parking is being reduced so that access is not diminished as parking supply changes.
Council members thanked the presenters and asked staff to work with the legal and buildings divisions to identify where local code or building inspection authority intersects with federal ADA obligations. Vice Mayor Kearney said the administration will review the task force recommendations with the city’s legal team and BNI (buildings and inspections) staff to determine what local changes are possible and how to implement them.
The Accessibility Task Force’s report was one of three documents the committee agreed to file for the public record at the end of the meeting and to bring back for follow up with legal staff in two weeks.
Next steps include detailed legal review and drafting of ordinance language for council members who choose to sponsor specific recommendations.
