Athens Commission on Disabilities urges reinstatement of business accessibility grants, pushes for ADA transition plan

The Athens City Commission on Disabilities told the City and Safety Services Committee on Jan. 13 that Uptown Athens remains difficult to navigate for people with mobility and sensory impairments and asked the city to resume a matching-grant program that helped small businesses install accessible entrances.

The commission’s chair, Davy McNelly, said the commission held monthly public meetings, ran local events including its Walk, Talk and Roll of Uptown Athens and produced an “accessibility matrix” the commission wants to be maintained as a living document and hosted on the city website. Michelle Hahn, cochair of the commission’s Outreach and Communication Committee, and Ali Hughes, cochair of the Accessibility Advocacy Committee, joined McNelly for the presentation.

The commission provided examples of small improvements the matching grant produced, including automatic doors and improved threshold ramps at local businesses. Carolyn Bailey Lewis, treasurer of the commission, appealed directly to council for the grant’s return: “I appeal to you to reconsider that. It makes a difference for those of us who deal with disabilities every day.”

The group told council it has 11 members, operates standing committees and consults with engineering and public works staff on sidewalk and park audits. The commission said it had about 80 combined attendees at last year’s Walk, Talk and Roll and that it provided consultations to Stroud’s Run, Athens Photo Project and the Alexander Schools.

The commission asked the city for three specific next steps: finish a city ADA transition plan and provide regular updates to the commission; complete a 10-year Athens sidewalk plan; and reinstate the accessibility matching-grant program the commission said used a 50–50 match and distributed $30,000 when it last ran two years ago.

Mayor McCarrie told the committee that contractors had corrected improperly installed detectable truncated-dome mats at a Court and Union project after the commission flagged the issue. McCarrie also said the city secured federal grant funding to replace roughly 25–30 curb ramps; early bids came in well under the engineer’s estimate, allowing the city to add additional ramp sites with remaining funds.

Committee members praised the commission’s work and urged continued collaboration between the commission, engineering/public works staff and business owners. Council member Swank asked about scheduling for the commission’s annual Walk, Talk and Roll; commissioners said they are considering a spring date to improve turnout and student participation.

The committee did not take formal action on any ordinance related to the commission’s requests at the Jan. 13 meeting. The commission asked again that the city meet with the commission and EPW administration to discuss next steps; the commission said it had requested that meeting in October and the administration had asked to postpone until January or February.

The commission also asked to meet this year with Sunday Creek Horizons, the consultant the commission understands the city may retain for ADA transition planning, so that local people with disabilities can participate early in any transition planning process.

If the city acts on the commission’s proposals, the group requested the accessibility matrix be hosted online and kept current, and the commission asked council to consider reinstating the matching-grant program to support small-business accessibility improvements.