Charleston ADA commission compiles prioritized list of accessibility fixes, urges council briefing

At a recent Charleston City ADA Commission meeting, commissioners and residents cataloged multiple accessibility barriers across public facilities and downtown sidewalks and moved to assemble a prioritized list of sites to present to City Council for action. The chair opened the discussion by asking members to bring specific addresses for a citywide plan to make facilities fully ADA compliant.

Residents and commission members pointed to particular problem locations: MLK Pool on Jackson Street, WL Stevens pool (access only via a back gate), the Gilliard Auditorium (missing push buttons on secondary doors and limited restroom access on upper levels), uneven brick curb cuts on King and John streets that caught wheelchair casters, and obstructed disabled parking near the Charleston Water System headquarters on Vanderhorst Street. Daisy, who identified herself and described challenges boarding buses while using a walker and being unable to communicate via a front-door intercom as a deaf person, asked the commission to address access at the Palmetto City Activity Center at 1069 King Street.

Janet, the commission’s ADA coordinator, said she will compile the addresses and tentative priorities and expects to: schedule a presentation to City Council in February or March; host Gary Pope, the deputy chief building official, to explain inspection and permitting processes; complete a transition-plan update in March that lists push-button locations; and research assistive-listening (T-coil) systems for auditoriums. "I'm working now with Charleston County voters about accessibility," Janet said, noting coordination with county parks and other city systems.

Commission members described situations where facilities meet the letter of ADA regulations but fall short of the law’s intent. The chair and others supported experiential exercises for council members, including a short wheelchair ride through downtown, to convey day-to-day barriers. One commissioner urged: "I would also... propose that we invite them for an afternoon out around Charleston in a wheelchair," to give council members firsthand perspective.

The commission agreed on next steps: Janet will assemble the list and send the minutes and compiled items electronically; the commission will prioritize the list at the next meeting and then seek a council meeting where the whole council and mayor can hear the prioritized concerns. The chair emphasized the goal of moving from compliance "by the letter" to fulfilling the intent of the ADA.

The meeting included a procedural motion earlier to allow October and November minutes to be approved electronically; the motion was seconded but no roll-call vote was transcribed. The commission adjourned after scheduling follow-up and wishing members a safe holiday season.