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County faces long list of ADA compliance issues
Second in a series.
Today, representatives from the Virginia Office of Protection and Advocacy are making another visit to Fauquier County.
Protecting the civil rights and independence of people with disabilities, VOPA investigates complaints such as physical inaccessibility of various facilities — the reason for its follow-up meeting with county administration officials.
VOPA requested Fauquier County conduct an accessibility study of 34 buildings. The self-audit revealed a list of 93 corrections that needed to be made to county facilities to make them accessible to the disabled.
The items on the checklist ranged from the simple replacement of door hardware to the costly addition of elevators.
Almost all of the facilities on the checklist do not have bathroom facilities that meet ADA requirements. Lack of directional signs, handicapped parking and cut curbs are common noncompliances.
While some buildings, like the Adult Detention Center and the Warren Green Building, have just a couple of needed adjustments, the Sheriff's Office has quite a few. It needs elevators, a major ramp renovation, bathroom overhauls, and reconfiguration of the parking lot.
County Administrator Paul McCulla said that the list of corrections has been organized into phases. Phase I includes those items that require little work or money to complete.
Phase II is comprised of minor work under $200 that requires scheduling and possible bidding from outside contractors.
Phase III involves renovation, in most cases currently unfunded. McCulla said that projects in this phase will generally have to be put through the Capital Improvement Plan process with the board of supervisors.
During the meeting today, McCulla said that the VOPA will go over each phase of the self-audit and inform the county if there are any corrections that can wait because of budget constraints.
The county's Disabilities Service Board also provides input to the local government on the needs of those with disabilities. While the board presents a Disability Friendly award to businesses and organizations that are accessible, it also regularly looks at complaints regarding facilities that are not.
In the past, the DSB has received such complaints as inaccessible parking at the county fairgrounds.
The DSB meets every second Wednesday at 10 a.m. (except August) at the County Extension Office, 24 Pelham Street. The meetings are open to the public.
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to the accessibility and use of state and local institutions, with differing requirements between new construction after 1992 and buildings that existed before that date.
According to the ADA Title II Technical Assistance Manual, a public entity may choose between two design standards for construction and alterations: the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) or the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG).
Recipients of federal funds must follow UFAS standards and commercial facilities must follow ADAAG.
The differences between the two standards include provisions for such items as van parking, water fountains, entrances, signs and bathrooms.
E-mail the reporter: afelts@timespapers.com.
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