Politics & Government

Fairfax, U.S. Reach Agreement to Help the Disabled

Agreement includes curb cuts, better TTY training

Fairfax County has reached an agreement with the U.S Department of Justice to continue making modifications to improve accessibility for the disabled.

The agreement was reached under Project Civic Access (PCA), an initiative by the Justice Department to ensure cities and county governments comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The PCA has audited more than 180 communities nationwide.

As part of the PCA initiative, Justice Department staff surveys state and local government facilities, services and programs in communities across the country to identify the modifications needed for compliance, according to DOJ press release.

The survey took place in June 2007 and County officials received the audit results in August 2009.  According to US Census data, more than 100,000 Fairfax County residents have a disability.

 "At that time staff formed a team to review the violations and started working diligently to correct them," said Ed Rose, senior assistant county attorney.  "We were told that Fairfax County was farther along in the process of fixing the violations than other jurisdictions at the time of signing." 

County already has funds budgeted for ADA compliance, but Rose said that staff was currently reviewing how much funding will be needed to comply with the settlement. Fairfax County faces a $54 million shortfall for the upcoming budget year.

"We will make the figures available," Rose said. 

Some of the steps Fairfax County will be taking:

  • Implementing a comprehensive plan to improve the accessibility of the county’s sidewalks and pedestrian crossings by installing accessible curb ramps throughout Fairfax County.
  • Making physical modifications to facilities surveyed by the department so that parking, routes into the buildings, entrances, service areas and counters, restrooms, public telephones and drinking fountains are accessible to people with disabilities.
  • Surveying other facilities and programs and making modifications wherever necessary to achieve full compliance with ADA requirements;
  • Administering a grievance procedure for resolving complaints of violations of Title II of the ADA.
  • Ensuring that any county programs for victims of domestic violence and abuse are accessible to people with disabilities;
  • Ensuring that 911 emergency service calls placed by persons with disabilities who use text telephones (TTYs) are answered as quickly as other calls, that such calls are monitored for timing and accuracy, and that employees are trained and practiced in using a TTY to make and receive calls.


“Access to public programs and facilities is a civil right, and individuals with disabilities must have the opportunity to participate in local government programs, services and activities on an equal basis with their neighbors,” Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division, said in a statement. “Fairfax County has made significant progress towards achieving full ADA compliance, and this agreement sets out a realistic plan for the county to get there."



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here