Marin County launches first ADA accessibility review in years

Marin County wants to hear from residents about where accessibility falls short in its parks, buildings, programs, and digital services.

The county opened a public input period for its first comprehensive Americans with Disabilities Act plan update in years. Three virtual open houses and an online survey give Southern Marin residents a direct channel to flag barriers they encounter when using county facilities or services. The deadline is Aug. 29.

The virtual sessions run on Zoom from 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5, and Wednesday, Aug. 12, with a third session from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29. Each will include ASL/Certified Deaf Interpreter services and real-time captioning.

Residents who cannot attend can fill out the county's ADA Public Input Survey online at any time through Aug. 29. Hard copies in English and Spanish will be available starting Friday, Aug. 7, at eight Marin County Free Library branches. Both the Corte Madera and Novato branches are temporarily closed, so residents in those areas will need to visit another location, use the online survey, or email the county's ADA coordinator to request a mailed copy. Surveys in languages other than English or Spanish are also available by email request.

The effort is formally called the ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. It has two parts: a self-evaluation examining how well county programs, facilities, transportation, and communications serve people with disabilities, and a transition plan that will outline specific steps for fixing gaps. The Marin County Board of Supervisors approved a contract addendum with Disability Access Consultants to conduct the update at its July 14 meeting.

Laney Davidson, the county's Disability Access Manager, leads the Disability Access Program overseeing the update. At a Board of Supervisors meeting in July, Davidson told supervisors: "Disability Pride is not only about visibility, but also about belonging. It is about affirming that disabled people are an essential part of the fabric of Marin County, and that our policies and practices must not simply accommodate disability but celebrate and center it."

The county's announcement described the process as an opportunity to gather real experiences, identify challenges, and ensure accessibility improvements reflect the needs of people who rely on county services every day.

Residents needing a disability accommodation to participate in the open houses should call (415) 473-4381 or dial 711 for California Relay at least five business days before the session they plan to attend.

Upcoming dates: