LOS ANGELES : City Asks Report on Efforts to Give Access to Disabled
A Los Angeles City Council panel directed several agencies Tuesday to submit reports on the city’s efforts to make buildings and sidewalks accessible to the disabled.
Members of the Arts, Health and Humanities Committee are concerned that the city is falling behind in complying with the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act.
“At no time have we made a firm commitment to comply within the time frames of the legislation,” Councilman Mike Hernandez said.
According to Bureau of Engineering officials, making sidewalks throughout the city accessible to wheelchairs would cost $175 million, equal to the lowest projection for the budget shortfall next fiscal year.
The bureau budgets only $50,000 to $70,000 a year in gas tax revenues for the sidewalk improvement projects.
“There’s a real problem with resources, and we understand that,” said Councilwoman Rita Walters, the panel’s chairwoman. “We’re not talking about a small amount of money.”
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