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Draft ADA transportation plan presented; DOJ delays web-accessibility deadline one year
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Summary
City staff presented a revised ADA transition plan and described steps to meet WCAG standards after the Department of Justice pushed a web-accessibility compliance deadline out one year. Staff invited public comment (roughly three weeks) and discussed Snow Buddies volunteer efforts and limits of federal guidance on snow events.
Michael Shirmas, the ADA coordinator and liaison to the Council for Community Accessibility and the Bloomington-Monroe County Human Rights Commission, presented the draft ADA transition plan and invited public feedback. Shirmas said the plan—updated every two years—compiles data from engineering, planning, parks, public works and other departments to document accessibility progress and planned improvements.
Iris Bull (staff) had earlier summarized city ITS work to adopt WCAG 2.2 standards as a baseline for document accessibility. Shirmas said staff had been preparing under the assumption of an April 24, 2026 DOJ deadline for agencies serving populations over 50,000 but that the Department of Justice subsequently pushed the compliance deadline out one year; staff nonetheless are pursuing improved accessibility and changing how packets and public documents are assembled and shared to meet WCAG requirements.
Commissioners asked practical questions about formats and third-party documents; Shirmas explained that compliance depends on how a document is prepared (not the raw file format) and that staff plan carve-outs or remediation approaches for third-party and handwritten materials. He said most case documents staff prepare are intended to be accessible.
Commissioners also raised concerns about snow clearance and pedestrian accessibility. Shirmas and staff described the Snow Buddies volunteer program and operational challenges that emerged during major storms—snow shoved into accessible parking and curb ramps, ice that is difficult to break, and neighborhoods with fewer volunteers. Shirmas noted the program has "2, 3 dozen—maybe more—3, 4, 5 dozen volunteers" matched to residents in need and said the city continues to explore resources to improve snow removal for accessibility.
Staff noted outreach steps: the draft plan was distributed for public review (Shirmas said about a three-week comment period so it could be turned around for council review) and materials were placed at the library and posted online. Commissioners were urged to submit comments before mid-May.
What happens next: staff will collect comments, finalize the plan, and forward it to the city council for adoption. The commission asked staff to clarify timelines and provide final materials for review.
Speakers quoted or referenced: Michael Shirmas; Iris Bull; Chair; Commissioner Flaherty.
Ending: Staff requested comments within the comment window and will present final materials to council for approval.
