Rawlings-Blake Administration Hosts Baltimore Metropolitan Region Americans with Disabilities Act Training Conference 

Businesses, advocates receive training on ADA guidelines; held in conjunction with National Disabilities Employment Month and Disability Awareness Month 

BALTIMORE, Md. (October 22, 2014)—Yesterday, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's Commission on Disabilities, the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, and the U.S. Access Board hosted Accessibility for All: 2010 ADA Accessibility Guidelines Training—a conference intended to provide key stakeholders from across the region with training on updates to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

"My administration is committed to ensuring that Baltimore remains accessible for everyone who wishes to enjoy all that makes our city a great place to live, work, and play," said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. "Today's training conference will help Baltimore's construction, development, planning, and inspections officials stay up to date on ADA standards and provide better accessibility for everyone."

The public training forum provided information about the recently adopted Outdoor Developed Area Standard, forthcoming Public Right of Way Guidelines, and construction and alteration provisions new to the 2010 ADA standards—including an in-depth review of provisions for parking facilities, entrances, ramps, curb ramps, signage, bus stops, and sales and service counters. The conference also gave participants access to resources to help them increase their organization's accessibility.

"This training ensures that construction and planning specialists are familiar with current ADA guidelines," added Dr. Nollie P. Wood, Jr., executive director of the Mayor's Commission on Disabilities. "By working with these key partners, we are building a more accessible Baltimore City for all of our residents and visitors."

Conference partners included Baltimore Housing and Baltimore City Recreation and Parks. Other participating Baltimore City agencies included the Department of Human Resources, the Department of Transportation, the Department of General Services, and the Department of Public Works.

Additional partners joined the Mayor's Commission on Disabilities, including the Parking Authority of Baltimore City; the Baltimore Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIABaltimore); Enoch Pratt Free Library; Maryland State agencies, including the Maryland Department of Disabilities, the Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Maryland Codes Administration; the United States Access Board; and the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center.

For more information about the Mayor's Commission on Disabilities, visit mcd.baltimorecity.gov.