Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) 2012 Infrastructure Accessibility Task Force Report

The Infrastructure Accessibility Task Force (IATF) was created by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) in 2010, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The purpose of the Task Force was to serve as a resource to assist CTA in its strategic planning to enhance rail accessibility for people with disabilities – and help the agency reach the ultimate goal of providing full accessibility for its entire rail system.

The task force ultimately developed a report that outlines the IATF’s vision for future accessibility and serves as guidance for CTA’s rail system capital projects. The findings embodied in the report will inform future planning, though it does not take into account funding availability or potential construction limitations. Indeed, many of the report’s guidelines have already been reflected in significant new capital initiatives, such as the reconstruction of the Clark/Division Red Line station by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) that began in 2012 and the planned reconstruction of Wilson Station beginning in 2013, as well as the installation of elevators at the Garfield, 63rd Street and 87th Street Red Line stations as part of the Red Line South reconstruction beginning in May 2013.

The CTA wishes to recognize and thank the distinguished external members of the Task Force for their tireless collaboration and expert input as the CTA moves forward with future capital project planning. They are:

Jack Catlin (Partner, LCM Architects)(often accompanied or represented by Christine Scully, Architect, LCM Architects)

Mike Ervin (Member, Chicago ADAPT)

Luann Hamilton (Deputy Commissioner, Chicago Department of Transportation)

Glenn Hedman (Director, Assistive Technology Unit, University of Illinois at Chicago)

Kevin Irvine (CTA Board member as of 2012 and former Chair of CTA’s ADA Advisory Committee)

Greg Polman (Senior Vice President, The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired)

Joseph Russo (Deputy Commissioner of Compliance, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities)

The CTA also thanks Chicago Transit Partners (CTP), a capital program management joint venture, which provided significant project management, technical assistance and planning work for the IATF.

The CTA remains committed to promoting accessibility for all customers, and would welcome your feedback : http://www.transitchicago.com/feedback/

Read the report: http://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/iatfreport/IATF_Report_FINAL_(Fall_2012)_2012-11-29.pdf

For more on CTA Accessibility: http://www.transitchicago.com/accessibility/