NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
25 July 2005

NEW CITY ACCESSIBILITY DESIGN GUIDELINES BOOKLET PROVIDES INSTRUCTIONS & IDEAS FOR MAKING BUSINESSES ACCESSIBLE TO DISABLED

Mayor Stephen R. Reed today unveiled a new city publication designed to provide small business owners with helpful tips and instructions for making properties more accessible to the disabled. Prepared with the input of the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania(CILCP) and the Accessible Communities Today(ACT) citizens advocacy group, the new Accessibility Design Guidelines booklet is available free of charge to anyone desiring a copy.

“The lack of accessibility to retail storefronts is one of the most common and vexing complaints we receive from physically challenged citizens,” said the Mayor. “This is an issue of both equity and economics, as disabled persons who are unable to access a store also can’t spend money there. It is certainly in both the customer’s and the business’s interests to make their stores more accessible.”

Reed, who directed the new guideline book be prepared, said the new booklet focuses upon exterior accessibility issues for existing buildings, including suitable ramps, thresholds and door features. The manual includes descriptions and pictures of successful renovations as a reference for those who want to update their building’s exterior entranceway. Business owners, builders and planners can use the tool to help assess existing buildings as well as design new structures that everyone can access.

The mayor noted the booklet also outlines a variety of financial incentives for businesses that choose to increase accessibility. The guidelines include a section on several tax programs that can help to offset some of a property owner’s investment in accessibility costs.

“The manual is an excellent tool for use in improving accessibility throughout Pennsylvania’s Capital City,” said CILCP Executive Director Theotis Braddy. “The Center for Independent Living can help any business or facility manager who has further questions about accessibility.”

Local disabled advocacy group Accessible Communities Today said they “commend the City of Harrisburg and the mayor for promoting equal access for all.” The group stated that improving accessibility not only benefits the disabled, but also the elderly and those pushing strollers.

The Mayor noted that copies of the new Accessibility Design Guidelines are available from the city’s Department of Building and Housing Development. The Department, under the direction of Terri M. Martini, can be reached (717) 255.6480, or visited in Suite 206 on the second floor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Government Center, at 10 N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg. PA 17101.

The Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania is a non-profit, non-residential organization established for and by people with disabilities serving Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, Mifflin and Juniata Counties. CILCP is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities with full participation in all aspects of society. For more information on the CICLP visit www.cilcp.org or contact Nathan Pigott at (717) 975.2148.