Bloomington leads in disability access

Bloomington often touts the ideal of inclusion -- and a recent report from a federal agency gives the city credit for its work.\nThe report by National Council on Disability, titled "Livable Communities for Adults with Disabilities," cites Bloomington initiatives to make the city more empowering for citizens with disabilities.\n"It makes us aware that people take seriously what we do on a national level," said Bloomington Special Projects Coordinator Craig Brenner.\nThe report notes Bloomington's Council for Community Accessibility and the work it does through sensitivity training and a decal program for accessibility at area buildings.\nThe council's sensitivity training attempts to show others the exertion of dealing with a disability. Participants live a workday either in a wheelchair or with low-vision through dark glasses. According to the report, "during his training session using a wheelchair, Bloomington's former Mayor John Fernandez got stuck in an inaccessible inner entrance door to City Hall; subsequently, an automatic door was installed."\nCurrent Mayor Mark Kruzan credited Fernandez for that mechanization of doors, and believes the council is a great benefit to the city.\n"The initiatives of the CCA serve as invaluable tools toward enhancing the quality of life of our citizens -- those with disabilities and those without," Kruzan said in a statement. \nThe report says investments in universal designs help all Bloomington residents, students and guests. Curb ramps are often used by parents pushing baby strollers. Automatic doors are often used not by people with limited strength, but by people struggling with groceries, the report adds.\n"Investment in and acceptance of alterations to the built environment may be an easier 'sell' when their value to the community at large is apparent," according to the report.\nThe report also praised the AccessAbility Decal Program, another council initiative. The program evaluates Bloomington businesses and buildings for accessibility and adherence to the Americans with Disabilities Act standards. A two-page evaluation looks at situations including parking, entrances, elevators, public restrooms, outdoor and indoor areas along with customer service and employment. A 4 inches by 6 inches decal is given to businesses which are "completely accessible" in a public ceremony.\nBloomington has awarded about 80 businesses to date with the AccessAbility Decal, the first of which was issued in 1993.\nThe council, which was originally formed as an advisory committee to look at the compliance needs of the Americans with Disabilities Act launched the city to the forefront of ADA standards, according to a current member.\nBuildings and businesses now are seeing advantages of incorporating accessibility into their blueprints.\n"We've always been a step ahead," said Council Co-chair Katie Anderson. "It is very expensive to have to go back into a place to correct problems."\nShe said Bloomington and Muncie are among the most accessible cities in Indiana. And while they are proud of the recent praise. Improvements still need to be made in a variety of areas, including employment, housing and physicality needs. Anderson said the council will continue to address these issues.\n"We have a very long way to go," she said.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Scott \nLawson at scmlawso@indiana.edu.