Commission forwards accessibility priorities to Charleston City Council

The Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues voted to forward a package of accessibility priorities to the mayor and Charleston City Council after reviewing a draft list prepared by staff.

The list includes re-evaluating parking compliance (including repainting lots), improving access to parks (notably Hampton Parks pavilion), installing audible pedestrian signals (APS) starting in the Triangle area and at other crossings such as points along Savannah Highway, addressing sidewalks damaged by tree roots and low-hanging branches, a proposed ‘clear sidewalks’ campaign, guidance on trash-can placement, and advocacy for a new inclusive playground in Charleston. “I make a motion to approve or to move forward with the said list,” a commissioner said; the motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote.

Janet, the commission’s ADA coordinator, agreed to draft the presentation and memo for the commission to review before sending it to the mayor and council; commissioners said the council would pick a presentation date. The commission discussed including a short summary of what from last year’s list the city completed and what remains outstanding as part of the packet.

The measure was procedural and nonbinding: forwarding a request and recommendations to the mayor and council rather than adopting an ordinance or directing city staff to execute specific capital work. The commission will finalize the memo and determine a date to present.

Next steps: Janet will prepare a draft memo for commissioners’ review; the commission will pick a date to present the priorities to the mayor and council.