The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is updating its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Section 504 Transition Plan to showcase the agency’s commitment to providing an accessible transportation network for all while meeting federal ADA requirements.

The ADA was signed into law in 1990 to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities in everyday activities. The ADA Transition Plan provides a roadmap for removing physical barriers to accessibility in transportation systems and facilities.

“CTDOT has made significant progress since the last update in 2019 to improve accessibility in transportation systems, recognizing that mobility is vital to quality of life,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Karen Kitsis. “By engaging with municipalities, advocates, and stakeholders, CTDOT has gained valuable insights into the specific challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. This feedback is essential for shaping policies that meet the needs of all people.”

“CTDOT is dedicated to improving accessibility among the State’s transportation networks and this month opens the 2024 Update to the ADA Transition Plan for public comment,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation ADA Coordinating Engineer Katherine Hedberg. “I hope the public will join us at one of our events to learn more about the progress we are making, and the work that lies ahead.”

CTDOT will be conducting public outreach both in-person and virtually. These events will offer opportunities for the public to provide input on the ADA Transition Plan. Meeting materials and any updates to outreach locations/dates/times will be updated on the CTDOT ADA Transition Plan website.

CTDOT will be holding in-person and virtual events on the following dates:

· October 15, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Veterans Memorial Hall, 235 Grand St., Waterbury, CT 06702

· October 16, 10 – 11 a.m., Virtual Presentation on Zoom, register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7ErI1T1XRKWsYaemgKUeew#/registration

· October 22, 1 – 3 p.m., Wilson Branch Library, 303 Washington Ave., New Haven, CT 06519

· October 23, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Otis Library, 261 Main St., Norwich, CT 06360

· October 23, 6 – 7 p.m., Virtual Presentation on Zoom, register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WhjycZLoQmGg27ySLvUUNQ#/registration

· October 24, 1 – 3 p.m., New Horizons Village, 37 Bliss Memorial Rd., Unionville, CT 06085

· October 29, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Norwalk Public Library, 1 Belden Ave., Norwalk, CT 06850

· October 31, 2024, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Capital Region Council of Governments, 350 Church St., Third Floor, Hartford, CT 06103

CTDOT’s ADA Plan involves a coordinated effort throughout the entire agency to use the best available data to compile ADA Compliance for CTDOT assets utilizing the Transportation Enterprise Database (TED) for managing data, asset inventories and inspections. To achieve ADA compliance improvement projects will be on-going for decades and priorities may change on a variety of reasons including but not limited to community requests, funding opportunities and constraints and CTDOT programs and evaluations.

The 2024 Update to CTDOT’s ADA Transition Plan also includes:

· CTDOT’s ADA policies and procedures

· CTDOT’s ADA Coordinators

· CTDOT’s accessibility guidelines, and standards

· Inventory updates for physical obstacles that limit the accessibility of facilities to individuals with disabilities

· Barrier removal programs that are used to make facilities accessible.

· Public outreach process for Plan development

CTDOT encourages the public to submit their questions and feedback on the ADA/Section 504 Transition Plan by Friday, November 8, 2024, to DOT.ADATransitionPlan@ct.gov or via digital survey.

To learn more about CTDOT’s ADA Transition Plan, please visit CTDOT ADA Transition Plan and Self Evaluation.

Read on CT.gov