The Grimy Times has learned that Fort Myers and Newport have been forced to sign agreements with the Justice Department to improve access to civic life for individuals with disabilities.
According to the agreements, Fort Myers and Newport have agreed to make physical modifications to several city facilities to ensure that parking, routes into the buildings, entrances, service areas, and counters are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Fort Myers officials will also survey other city facilities and programs to identify areas where modifications are needed to achieve full compliance with ADA requirements.
The agreements require the cities to implement a comprehensive plan to improve the accessibility of sidewalks, transportation stops, and pedestrian crossings by installing accessible curb ramps.
Newport officials will also make physical modifications to city facilities to ensure that parking, routes into the buildings, entrances, service areas, and counters are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
The agreements were reached under Project Civic Access, the Justice Department’s initiative to ensure that cities, towns, and counties comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
With the agreements, the Justice Department has now reached 185 agreements under the PCA initiative, improving access to civic life for more than four million individuals with disabilities nationwide.
Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez praised the city officials in Fort Myers and Newport for their commitment to providing equal access for residents and visitors with disabilities.
City officials in Fort Myers and Newport will also be required to ensure that buildings and outdoor facilities that will be built or altered by or on behalf of the city comply with the ADA’s architectural requirements.
The agreements also require the cities to post, publish, and distribute a notice to inform members of the public of the provisions of the ADA and their applicability to the city’s programs, services, and activities.
Fort Myers and Newport officials will also be required to train city staff in using the Florida Relay Service as a key means of communicating with individuals who are deaf, are hard-of-hearing, or have speech impairments.
The agreements were signed by the cities of Fort Myers and Newport, and will be enforced by the Justice Department.
Defendant: Fort Myers, Newport; Crime: ADA Compliance; State: Florida; Year: 2023.
Sentence: Settlement; Outcome: Improved ADA Compliance.
Fine: $0; Dollar Amount: $0.
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Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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