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Sunday, July 31, 2011

Mayor Emanuel, Commissioner Tamley Kick-Off Chicago's Accessibility Code Committee

Revisions will make Chicago’s Code Most Progressive in Nation

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Commissioner Karen Tamley of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) kicked off the Chicago Accessibility Code Committee Meeting on the July 26th, the 21st Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Mayor Emanuel thanked the committee for its commitment to help make Chicago a world-class city for people with disabilities.

“By working together to strengthen our code and make it consistent with the ADA, we will be making our city more accessible for our residents and visitors with disabilities, and making it easier for the architectural and building industries to achieve compliance under all accessibility laws,” said Emanuel.

As part of the Mayor’s goal to make Chicago’s accessibility code the most progressive in the nation, the Accessibility Code Committee will be responsible for reviewing and providing input on drafts of the revised code.

The amendment will achieve the following objectives:

•Modernize it to be consistent with new federal ADA standards
•Update, reinforce and clarify the code

Committee members include leaders in the fields of design, construction, industry, civic and disability policy.

“Our efforts to update and strengthen Chicago's accessibility code reflect the City of Chicago's commitment to upholding the promise of the ADA and to assure our city is fully accessible to our residents and visitors with disabilities,” said Commissioner Tamley.

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For City of Chicago Mayors office for People with Disabilities [MOPD] visit: http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mopd.html

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