New upgrades make Philadelphia City Hall more accessible to people with disabilities – NBC10 Philadelphia

To mark Disabled Pride Week, Philadelphia leaders Wednesday announced changes to City Hall to make it more accessible to people with disabilities.

This change is part of the Mayor’s Office of the Disabled (MOPD) mission to improve the city by advocating for a more accessible city for Philadelphia residents with disabilities. MOPD received her $300,000 grant from the Business Transformation Fund in the spring of 2022 to help fund and install signage in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The upgrade includes over 600 tactile, high-contrast signs in braille in every room of City Hall. The grant also includes lowering door speeds, installing ADA restroom handrails, and even hanging mirrors and soap and towel dispensers that are too tall for wheelchair access to the walls.

Mayor Jim Kenny said, “It is extremely important that the core of city government is truly accessible and inclusive, especially for people with disabilities who have long been underrepresented.” “We are thrilled that the addition of accessible signage and other upgrades throughout City Hall have made the building a safer and more accessible place for everyone.”

Officials say 17% of Philadelphia residents now know they are living with a disability, one of the highest rates in the big city.

“Everyone has a right to equal access to buildings and programs, and the city has made significant improvements to make that possible,” said a Philadelphia resident, blind advocacy group, and an advocate for City Hall renovations. said Suzanne Erb, who participated in the ADA focus group for “Projects like this benefit blind and disabled communities, but when we make things accessible, it truly benefits everyone.”