Following a year-long campaign advocating for an ADA upgrade to improve accessibility at the crossing of La Cañada Drive and Continental Road, Fiona Taylor experienced a remarkable transformation in her ability to navigate the street confidently and effortlessly, thanks to the newly installed audible signal designed for the visually impaired.

Challenges Faced: Inadequate Signals and Safety Concerns

Previously, Taylor, a resident of Green Valley, faced considerable danger while crossing the intersection due to the absence of a visible signal prompting her to cross safely. She highlighted the challenges she encountered, expressing that the visual signal was entirely imperceptible to her at that particular crossing.

Collaborative Advocacy: Partnering for Change

Teaming up with her husband, Bob, Taylor engaged with the Green Valley Council and the Southern Arizona Association for the Visually Impaired (SAAVI) to advocate for improvements and urged Pima County to implement the local upgrade.

Pima County’s ADA Infrastructure Initiatives

Pima County’s Department of Transportation oversees the infrastructure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on county-owned roadways. This includes ensuring ADA-compliant curb ramps.

Progress and Integration: ADA Ramp Upgrades

According to Paul Casertano, the Deputy Director of Pima County Department of Transportation (PCDOT), the county has been progressively replacing 2,200 ramps across the county since the initiation of the 10-year road repair program in Fiscal Year 2020. Moreover, an additional 80 replacements are currently underway.

Incorporating ADA Upgrades: The County’s Approach

Casertano explained that these ramp replacements are typically integrated into the pavement preservation work. As part of this effort, the county has added or upgraded 467 ramps in Green Valley along repaved roads since the inception of the 10-year program.

Enhanced Access: Benefits of ADA-Compliant Ramps

These upgraded ramps feature truncated domes and slope modifications on the ramp’s wings, ensuring easier access on and off the roadway. Casertano emphasized that these improvements also encompass transitions added in alleyways and drainage easements.

Navigating Budgetary Challenges: Prioritizing ADA Projects

The integration of ADA ramp upgrades aligns with the county’s ongoing roadway enhancements and obligatory requirements. Casertano highlighted the significance of public input in guiding PCDOT’s decision-making process regarding repairs and upgrades, citing the challenges posed by limited funding that necessitates strict prioritization of projects.

Empowering Public Participation: Identifying ADA Needs

The department aims to proactively identify ADA needs, leveraging public input via platforms like seeclickfix.com/pima-county or the county’s Transportation Advisory Committee. Casertano emphasized the importance of public feedback in identifying areas requiring attention for the visually impaired within the signal network.

Tangible Impact: Taylor’s Advocacy Success

Taylor’s advocacy efforts in Green Valley led to the recent installation of eight Accessible Pedestrian Signal units on October 23. These installations, involving hardware and wiring, signify a significant project that demands substantial time and resources.

A Personal Transformation: Taylor’s Improved Independence

The transformative impact of the audible signal is evident as Taylor noted the considerable difference in her ability to cross confidently and efficiently, contrasting the past need to wait for the road to be entirely clear due to the inadequacy of the previously invisible visual signal.