Exhibit 1: Americans with Disabilities Act Plan — Alameda City Council, June 18, 2024

CITY OF ALAMEDA
JUNE 2024
THE CITY OF ALAMEDA’S ONGOING COMMITMENT
TO PROVIDING EQUAL ACCESS FOR ALL.

ADA SELF

EVALUATION &

TRANSITION PLAN

01. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CITY BUILDINGS AND PARKS 3
PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES IN THE 4

PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES 5
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 6

07. INTRODUCTION
PUBLIC INPUT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 9

12. CITY BUILDINGS AND PARKS
SITE EVALUATION 13

CONTENTS

17. PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES IN

THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY
▪ Sidewalks and Pathways . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 ▪ Curb Ramps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 ▪ Signalized Intersections . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

26. CITY SPONSORED PROGRAMS

AND SERVICES
▪ Community-Based Programs . . . . . . . . . 27 and Activities
▪ Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 ▪ Personnel and Internal . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Policies and Procedures
▪ Human Resources: Position Descriptions . . 29
▪ ADA Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 ▪ Notice of the ADA’s Provisions . . . . . . . . . 30 ▪ Grievance Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 ▪ General Effective Communications . . . . . 31
▪ Website Accessibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 ▪ 9-1-1 and Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Communication Services
▪ Emergency Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 B
ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

36. THE TRANSITION PLAN,

ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL
COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY 37
IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY AT 38

CITY BUILDINGS AND PARKS
IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY 41

IN THE RIGHT OF WAY
▪ Pavement Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 ▪ Traffic Signal Modernization . . . . . . . . . . 42 ▪ Sidewalk Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 ▪ NEW Curb Ramp Accessibility . . . . . . . . . 42 PRIORITY FRAMEWORK 43
ENHANCING ACCESSIBILITY FOR 45

CITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
BUREAU VERITAS CERTIFICATION 50
Appendices
APPENDIX A:

ADA TITLE II REQUIREMENTS
APPENDIX B:

PUBLIC INPUT SURVEY SUMMARY

STATISTICS AND NARRATIVE RESPONSES
APPENDIX C:

TITLE II ADA COORDINATOR ROLE
APPENDIX D:

ADA PUBLIC NOTICE (MODEL)
APPENDIX E:

CITY OF ALAMEDA GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
APPENDIX F:

ACCESSIBILITY OF STATE AND LOCAL

GOVERNMENTS WEBSITES TO PEOPLE

WITH DISABILITIES
APPENDIX G:

CITY OF ALAMEDA WEBSITE

ACCESSIBILITY REVIEW
APPENDIX H:

LIST OF CITY BUILDINGS AND PARKS

EVALUATED
APPENDIX I:

SUMMARY LIST OF BARRIERS BY FACILITY
C
ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

THE CITY RECOGNIZES THAT ACCESS IS NOT JUST A CIVIL RIGHT , IT IS A SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO UPHOLD.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Plan establishes the City of Alameda’s ongoing
commitment to providing equal Access to all.

This Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) Self Evaluation and
Transition Plan establishes
the City of Alameda’s (City)
ongoing commitment to
providing equal access for all .

The City recognizes that access
is not just a civil right, it is a
social responsibility to uphold .

Inaccessible public services
and facilities create barriers
that limit full participation in
civic life for individuals with
disabilities . In developing this
plan, the City collaborated
with community members
to identify programmatic
and mobility barriers, as
well as the steps needed to
achieve full accessibility .

The Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA), enacted on July 26,
1990, is a comprehensive civil
rights law for persons with
disabilities in both employment
and the provision of goods and
services . The ADA states that its
purpose is to provide a “clear
and comprehensive national
mandate for the elimination of
discrimination against individuals
with disabilities .” Congress
emphasized that the ADA seeks
to dispel stereotypes and
assumptions about disabilities
and to assure equality of
opportunity, full participation,
independent living, and
economic self-sufficiency for
people with disabilities .

This Self Evaluation and
Transition Plan was prepared
with the expert assistance of
Bureau Veritas and in accordance
with the requirements of Title II of
the ADA requiring public entities
to reasonably modify their
policies, practices, or procedures
to avoid discrimination against
people with disabilities . It is
intended to assist the City,
its City Council, and staff in
identifying policy, programmatic,
and physical barriers to
accessibility and in developing
barrier removal solutions that
will facilitate the opportunity
of access to all individuals .
1 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 Public outreach and input were essential components of
developing the ADA Self Evaluation and Transition Plan.

EVALUATION OF

CITY BUILDINGS

AND PARKS

REVIEW OF CITY

PROGRAMS AND

SERVICES

ASSESSMENT

OF PEDESTRIAN

FACILITIES IN

THE PUBLIC

RIGHT OF WAY
THE

TRANSITION
PLAN
PUBLIC

ENGAGEMENT

AND INPUT
The community was provided information on
the City’s responsibilities regarding the ADA
and the results of the various assessments . The
community shared where they experience barriers
to accessibility and how they prefer to prioritize
improvements to remove barriers . This input is
reflected in the Transition Plan .

Included in this report is a description of the
process by which policies, programs, and
facilities were evaluated for compliance with
the ADA; presentation of the findings of that
evaluation; documentation of public input and
engagement in setting priorities; and a phased
approach to addressing identified accessibility
barriers . Title II of the ADA regulations state that
if a transition plan will take more than one year
to fully implement, it must contain interim steps
to provide program accessibility . The report is
divided into five sections: public engagement
and input; evaluation of City buildings and parks;
assessment of pedestrian facilities in the public
right of way; review City programs and services;
and the Transition Plan.

Aerial view of Whale Park
03 0502 0401
2 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 58 City sites (City Halls, Libraries, Parks, Parking Lots, etc . .) were evaluated for accessibility . Removal of identified barriers is prioritized into five phases with each phase coinciding with the City’s biennial budget as shown in the table below . The sites within each phase were determined by usage levels, amenity uniqueness, site safety, public input, and other considerations . The Transition Plan lists the sites, number of barriers and cost to remediate for each site within each phase . A primary goal of the phasing plan is to optimize the use of available funds to provide access to public amenities that matter the most to the
public . It is likely that implementation of the phases will overlap as a phase may take longer than two years
to implement . Barrier removal in this plan is focused
on public areas as the City has a separate program to
address workplace safety and access . Additionally,
employee areas are addressed through a reasonable
accommodation process, under Title I of the ADA .

Phase Estimated
Cost
Phase 1, FY23/24-24/25 $2,445,504
Phase 2, FY25/26-26/27 $2,134,292
Phase 3, FY27/28-28/29 $912,619
Phase 4, FY29/30-30/31 $1,159,553
Phase 5, FY31/32-32/33 $910,121
TOTAL $7,562,089

CITY COUNCIL APPROVED
PHASE 1 FUNDING IN THE
FY23/24-24/25 BUDGET

CITY BUILDINGS AND PARKS
Alameda Public Library access
3 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

HIGHEST PRIORITY NEXT HIGHEST PRIORITY THIRD HIGHEST PRIORITY

PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY
2,862 curb ramps, 89 signalized
intersections, 220 miles of
sidewalk and 22 .6 miles of
pathways were evaluated
using the Public Right-of-
Way Accessibility Guidelines
(PROWAG) and California
Building Code . Transit stops,
crosswalks and other controlled
pedestrian crossings (ex .

Rectangular Rapid Flashing
Beacons) will be evaluated and
added to the Transition Plan
as part of a future update .

Improving accessibility along
pedestrian travel ways in the
public right of way will primarily
take place through existing
programs . The City’s Pavement
Management, Sidewalk Repair
and Traffic Signal Modernization
programs are funded annually
in the City’s capital budget . The
City will establish a new annual
Curb Ramp Accessibility program
to be launched in 2024/25
with funding from Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) .

The following framework will be
used to prioritize barrier removal .

Referenced street classifications
are from the City’s General Plan .

The ADA requires that priority be given to walkways serving entities covered by the Act, including State and local government offices and facilities, transportation, places of public accommodation, and employers, followed by walkways serving other areas. ▪ Requests from persons
with disabilities
experiencing a barrier .
▪ Improve sidewalk
accessibility on Main
Streets, around City Sites
and Parks and in Socially
Vulnerable Neighborhoods
by removing barriers and
trip hazards .
▪ Missing curb ramps
Citywide .
▪ Repair/replace Island and
Mecartney Drive pathways .
▪ Missing pedestrian
signal heads and
Accessible Pedestrian
Signals Citywide .
▪ Improve sidewalk
accessibility on Local
Streets by removing
barriers and trip
hazards .
▪ Patching/temporary
repairs on pathways/
trails to address
tripping hazards .
▪ Curb ramps with a
low accessibility score
Citywide .
▪ Improve sidewalk
accessibility on
Neighborhood
Connectors, Gateway,
and Business
Commercial Streets by
removing barriers and
trip hazards .
▪ Replacement/
reconstruction of
pathways/trails to
address cross slopes
and other barriers .
▪ Curb ramps with a
medium accessibility
score Citywide .
4 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 The Self Evaluation identified
several areas where the City
can enhance accessibility
in our communications,
community-based programs
and services, ADA grievance
process, internal policies, and
emergency management .

Specific recommendations are
made to address each finding .

For example, the City should
establish a policy to standardize
investigations into all ADA
complaints . And the City should
regularly enlist people with a
variety of disabilities to test the
City website for accessibility and
ease of use . Implementation
of the recommendations for
more accessible City programs
and services will occur over
the next three years . Each
recommendation and the fiscal
year it will be addressed is
included in the action plan .

To ensure we have the right
resources in place to oversee
implementation of this important
plan, a vacant position in the
Public Works Department
is proposed to be elevated
to an ADA Coordinator job
classification, pending City
Council approval of the Fiscal
Year 2024/25 budget . If approved,
the City will recruit an ADA
Coordinator and work to have
the new hire in place in early
2025 . The City’s Public Works
Director will continue to serve in
this role in the interim . The new
ADA Coordinator will establish
and lead an interdepartmental
ADA Task Force that meets
regularly . A primary focus of the
ADA Task Force will be to address
the recommendations noted in
the table below for accessible
City programs and policies .

The Transition Plan is a
snapshot in time of prioritized
barrier removal . As conditions
change, the Transition Plan
will be a living document that
is modified and updated on a
periodic basis to reflect barrier
removal efforts, new conditions,
changes in funding levels,
new and revised strategies,
and future public input . The
Transition Plan will also require
modification if new ADA
requirements are issued by DOJ .

The Self Evaluation identified several areas where the City can enhance accessibility in our communications, community-based programs and services, ADA grievance process, internal policies, and emergency management.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
The ADA Coordinator will track progress on implementing the Transition Plan and report annually to the Commission on Persons with Disabilities . The update will note barriers removed and any revisions to the prioritization of barriers to be removed . The City’s ADA Coordinator is responsible for ensuring this update happens and is currently represented by Public Works Director Erin Smith who can be reached at [email protected] or at 950 W Mall Square, Suite 110, Alameda, California or by phone 510-747-7938 .

TRANSITION
PLAN

UPDATES
5 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

CITY OF ALAMEDA

PUBLIC WORKS
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
Mike Billington, Facilities Manager

COMMISSION ON PERSONS

WITH DISABILITIES
Katy Beehler
Lisa Hall
Amanda Bugge
Kathleen Bonsmith
Jane Schmitz
Allison Mullings
Jennifer Roloff

RECREATION AND

PARKS DEPARTMENT
Justin Long
Pat Russi
Morace McKay

PHOTOGRAPHY
Maurice Ramirez

FIRE DEPARTMENT
Nicholas Luby, Fire Chief
Dallas Andrews
Marc Saur

CITY CLERK
Lara Weisiger, City Clerk

GRAPHIC DESIGN
Candice Miller
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
Sarah Henry,
Communications Director

BUREAU VERITAS
Michael Cunniff
Justin Vang
Eric Sinagra
Thank you for your time and contributions to this report!

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
6 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

INTRODUCTION
The City is committed to
providing accessible programs,
policies, and services, in
accordance with the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) and
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act . The ADA is a federal civil
rights law that mandates equal
opportunity for individuals
with disabilities . It prohibits
discrimination against people
with disabilities in jobs, public
accommodations, government
services, public transportation,
and telecommunications . Title
II of the ADA requires state and
local governments to make
their programs and services
accessible to persons with
disabilities (28 CFR 35 .149-
35 .151) . This requirement
extends not only to physical
access at government facilities,
programs, and events, but also
to pedestrian facilities in public
rights-of-way . A full explanation
of the ADA is in Appendix A .

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, as amended
(Section 504), imposes similar
prohibitions of discrimination
in federal-assisted programs .

The City is committed to providing accessible programs, policies, and services, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

THE ADA IS A FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAW THAT MANDATES
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

The Veterans
Memorial Building
and Shoreline Park
7 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 The City is required
by regulations under
Title II of the ADA and
Section 504 to assess its
services, policies, and
practices as part of a
Self-Evaluation; to modify
any policies or practices
that discriminate
against people with
disabilities; and to
develop a Transition
Plan identifying physical
changes to facilities that
are necessary to achieve
program accessibility.
of equipment, assignment of
auxiliary aids and assistance,
or provision of services at
alternate sites . While it is rare
that the City may not be able to
provide program access, there
are some instances where it
is permissible under the ADA .

Access to each service, program,
or activity is to be “viewed in
its entirety .” Program access
does not require each facility to
be made physically accessible,
in all instances, and equal
access can be made available
at times through creative
solutions . However, physical
accessibility is a requirement
for all new facilities intended
to provide programs, and
for any facilities undergoing
alteration, compliance issues
should be remediated to the
latest standards . The City does
not have to take any action
that the City can demonstrate
would result in a fundamental
alteration in its service, program,
or activity, would create a
hazardous condition, or would
represent an undue financial
and administrative burden .

The determination that undue
burdens would result must
be based on an evaluation
of all resources available for
use in the service, program,
or activity . For example, if a
barrier removal action is judged
unduly burdensome, the City
must consider other options
and ensure that individuals
with disabilities receive the
benefits provided by the City .

A Transition Plan must include
a list of the physical barriers
in the City's facilities that limit
accessibility; a schedule for
elimination of barriers and
compliance with Title II of
the ADA; the methods that
will be used to make facilities
accessible; and the name of
the individual responsible for
the plan's implementation .

The City last conducted an
ADA Self-Evaluation and
Assessment in 2008 . This Self
Evaluation and Transition
Plan replaces the 2008 plan .

This document reports on the City’s efforts to evaluate its City buildings and parks, pedestrian facilities in the public right of way, and City programs and policies for their degree of accessibility for all members of the public Program accessibility includes
physical accessibility, but
also entails all the policies,
practices, and procedures that
permit people with disabilities
to participate in programs and
services and to access important
information . Program access
may be achieved by either
structural methods (e .g ., making
physical changes to a facility)
or non-structural methods .

Non-structural methods
include acquisition or redesign
8 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

PUBLIC INPUT & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Public input is an essential component of developing an ADA Self Evaluation and Transition Plan. The objectives for public outreach prior to adopting the plan include:

Action/Event Date
▪ Press release announcing kick off plan
development and community survey 10/30/2023
▪ Public input survey 10/30/23-1/8/24
▪ Online Community Meeting 11/14/2023
▪ Commission on Persons with Disabilities 12/13/2023
▪ Meeting with Leisure Club Families (social program
for adults with developmental disabilities) 3/14/24
▪ Recreation & Parks Commission 4/11/2024
▪ Transportation Commission 4/24/2024
▪ Draft Plan Available for Public Comment 5/7/2024
▪ Commission on Persons with Disabilities 6/5/2024
▪ City Council 6/18/2024
Outreach to encourage
input included a news
release, social media
postings, a survey
(available online and in
print), City employee
email announcements,
flyers, in person and
online public meetings
and a City web page.

PROVIDING
Providing the public
with information on the
City’s responsibilities
regarding ADA.

LEARNING
Learning from the
community where they
experience barriers
to accessibility.

SHARING
Sharing results of the
programs and policies
review and where barriers
were identified at City
buildings and parks.

HEARING
Hearing from the community
on how they prefer to
prioritize improvements to
remove barriers.

SHARING
Sharing with the public
the City’s processes
regarding removal of
barriers to accessibility.

MEETING
Meeting Title II
requirements for public
comment opportunity.

To garner feedback from the community, the City hosted the following:
9 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 The public input survey had 24 questions related to Alameda’s accessibility .

Survey questions ranged from people’s experience using the City’s website, what park they frequent most to whether they think City staff need more training regarding accessibility . 272 responses were received . 50% of respondents identify
either as a person with a
disability or as a caregiver to a
person with a disability
30% of the respondents
cannot or know someone
who cannot participate in
a City program or activity
because of disability.
15% of respondents have
experienced a communication
barrier that prevented them
from participating in a program,
service, or activity.

Over 40% of survey
respondents think there
are areas where City staff
need ADA and disability
sensitivity training.
60% of respondents think
the City provides adequate
emergency response
services to assist people
with disabilities.

Over 50% of respondents have
experienced a physical barrier
to accessibility on a public
pedestrian circulation path.
90%
15%
90% of respondents reported the City’s website
and phone system as accessible to them .

However, 73% don’t know who to contact
if they need assistance, have a concern or
complaint, or need an accommodation to
access a facility, service, or event .
15% of respondents have countered a street
or intersection crossing near a City building or
park where missing or inoperable pedestrian
crossing push buttons affect their ability to
cross the street .

The Main Library and City
Hall were reported as City
buildings most frequented.

Community and Recreation
Centers ranked highest for
priority of barrier removal at
building facilities with City
Halls ranked second highest.

Sidewalks ranked highest
for priority of barrier in the
public right of way with curb
ramps ranked second.

BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS FROM THE SURVEY:

All summary statistics
and narrative responses
for the survey are
included in Appendix B .
10 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 The Leisure Club is hosted by
the City’s Recreation and Parks
Department and is a fun, activity
based program specifically
designed to meet the specialized
recreational needs of persons
with developmental disabilities
in the community . 38 parents/
guardians and Leisure Club
participants were in attendance
March 14, 2024 . City staff led an
engaging conversation about
accessibility and creating a
safe space for open dialogue .

In general, this group would
like the City to focus on more
accessible parking in commercial
areas and at City facilities;
improved signage and location
of ADA ramps at City facilities;
more time to cross the street
at intersections; improved
access to public bathrooms
(door openers, maneuverability,
gender neutral bathrooms);
better lighting and sidewalk
condition; more programs for
youth, teenagers, and adults
with special needs; and more
integration and inclusion in
City recreation programs . A
complete listing of feedback
is included in Appendix B .

Conducting the Self Evaluation
also prompted input and
awareness from City’s various
departments . The ADA pertains
to the many facets of work a
municipal government does
and is relevant to all City
employees and the members
of the public we serve . The
feedback and input learned
throughout the development of
the Self Evaluation and Transition
Plan informed the content of
the plan and most notably,
prioritization of work to enhance
accessibility of the programs
and services the City provides .

Additional ADA
parking will be
installed as part
of the Webster
and Park Street
restriping projects.

Improvements
to the pathway
lighting at Lincoln
Park are currently
in design.

Parking stalls at the Alameda Public Library
TO BE ACCESSIBLE:
11 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 Alameda Police Station
Accessibility Ramp

CITY BUILDINGS

AND PARKS
Title II of the ADA requires that public entities
having responsibility for or authority over
facilities, streets, sidewalks, and/or other areas
meant for public use develop a transition plan
to ensure their facilities meet the standards for
program accessibility.

Program accessibility means that a program, activity, or service provided to the public is accessible when viewed in its entirety . Simply put, a transition plan assists in turning inaccessible facilities into accessible environments usable by individuals with disabilities . The process of developing an ADA transition plan includes the identification of access barriers within the built environment .

Identify the specific
barrier removal action(s)
Identify a schedule for
barrier removal
Identify employee(s)
responsible for ensuring
barrier removal
Identify the barriers to
program access
THE TRANSITION PLAN MUST:
12 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

SITE EVALUATION

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
• City Hall
• City Hall West
• Maintenance Service Center
• Fleet Services Garage
• Recreation & Park Admin Building
• Emergency Operations Center
• Fire Stations
• Police Station
58 City buildings and/or sites were evaluated .

The facilities listed below are organized into the
following functional areas: Community Resources,
General Administration and Transportation and
Parking . The Lincoln Park and Franklin Park
swimming pool sites are not on the facility list,
as these sites are managed by the Alameda
Swimming Pool Association, per a lease
agreement with the City . The Alameda Swimming
Pool Association is responsible for maintaining
lifts at each pool as is the Alameda Unified School
District at Alameda and Encinal High Schools .

Appendix H contains a list of City sites, their
address and list of public amenities offered .
• Alameda Point Gym & Field
• Bayport Park
• Bill Osborne Model Airplane Field
• Bohol Circle Immigrant Park
• Chocheyno Park
• City View Skate Park
• Encinal Boat Launch
• Estuary Park
• Franklin Park & Recreation Center
• Grand St Boat Launch
• Godfrey Park & Recreation Center
• Harrington Park & Restrooms
• Jean Sweeney Park & Restrooms
• Krusi Park & Recreation Center
• Leydecker Park & Recreation Center
• Lincoln Park & Facilities
• Littlejohn Park & Recreation Center
• Longfellow Park & Restrooms
• Main Street Linear Park
• Main Street Soccer Field
• Main Street Dog Park
• Marina Cove Waterfront Park
• Marina Village Park
• Mastick Senior Center
• McKinley Park & Recreation Center
• Officer’s Club
• Rittler Park
• Seaplane Lagoon Promenade
• Shoreline Park
• Tillman Park & Recreation Center
• Towata Park
• Veterans Memorial Building
• Washington Park
• Whale Park
• Woodstock Park
• Bay Farm Library
• Main Library
• West End Library

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING
• Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal
• Main St Ferry Terminal
• Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal
• Civic Center Parking Garage
• Parking Lot A- Park Ave
• Parking Lot B- Alameda Av
• Parking Lot - West End
13 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 A Bureau Veritas Subject
Matter Expert visited each site
to evaluate the facilities in
accordance with the ADA and
State of California Building
Code and assess the property
improvements’ compliance
with the Title II provisions
of the ADA and applicable
state requirements .

The field observer conducted a
thorough review to observe and
identify barriers to accessibility
and formulate recommendations
to remedy the physical barriers .

As a part of the review, the field
observer met with City staff with
specific knowledge of the facility
to gain a clear understanding
of overall features, public use
patterns, and relevant historical
data . All features of the property
are subject to observation,
which includes but is not limited
to parking lots, sidewalks,
access ramps, and all common
areas accessible to the public,
as well as employee areas .

During the site walk-through,
the field observer followed
a Survey Form that meets or
exceeds the current Americans
with Disabilities Act Accessibility
Guidelines (ADAAG) format and
utilized a digital level, measuring
tape, pressure gauge, and digital
camera . The field observer
identified and prioritized
any existing improvements
not in accordance with the
applicable ADA requirements
in the order of preference as
set out by the DOJ in general
categories and refined by Bureau
Veritas . Examples of elements
required to be accessible are:
▪ Parking and passenger loading
zones;
▪ Accessible routes including
sidewalks and paths and
interior routes;
▪ Ground and floor surfaces;
▪ Curb and other ramps;
▪ Platform lifts (wheelchair lifts);
▪ Handrails and grab bars;
▪ Alarms (visual and audible) and
warnings; and
▪ Switches and outlets

PARK ST

BRIDGE FRUITVALE

BRIDGE HIGH ST
BRIDGE

POSEY TUBE

WEBSTER TUBE

BAY FARM

ISLAND BRIDGE

OAKLAND
FERRY

TERMINAL

MAIN ST
FERRY

TERMINAL

SEAPLANE
LAGOON
FERRY

TERMINAL

HARBOR BAY

FERRY TERMINAL
Central Ave
Encinal Ave
Encinal Ave
Santa Clara Ave
Shore Line Dr
Otis Dr
BroadwayPark St
Lincoln Ave
R a l p h A p p e z z a t o M e m o r i a lMain St
Fifth St
Webster St(State Rt 61)
Fifth St
Central Ave
Santa Clara Ave
Main St
W Tower Ave
S t a r g e l l A v e
Eighth St
Grand St
Otis Dr
Central Ave
Clement Ave
Doolittle Drive
Mecartney Rd
Island Dr
M a i t l a n d D r
R o b e r t D a v e y Jr D r
Harbor Bay Parkway
Fernside Blvd
Estuary
Park
Washington
Park
Jean Sweeney Park
Lincoln
Park
Corica Park
Golf Course
Alameda Nature
Reserve (future)
Northwest Territories
Park (future)

O A K L A N D E S T U A R Y

S A N F R A N C I S C O B A Y

SAN LEA N D RO BAY

FACILITIES MAP
LEGEND
Facilities Studied
14 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 Individual barriers identified at each location are
assigned a priority level based on the following:

PRIORITY 1:

J PATH OF TRAVEL
Accessible Van Parking
Access to a public facility begins with accessible
parking . Van accessible parking is deemed the most
important barrier . Those with the most severe
disabilities tend to require a van accessible space
to accommodate their vehicle and mobility device .

In addition, when only one accessible space is
required, it must be a van accessible space . This
priority includes all barriers associated with the
compliance of a van accessible space including
signage, restriping, constructing or reconfiguring
the pavement to accommodate the required
number of spaces .

Accessible Car Parking
Access to a public facility begins with accessible
parking . Car accessible parking is deemed the
second most important barrier . This priority
includes all barriers associated with the compliance
of a van accessible space including signage,
restriping, constructing or reconfiguring the
pavement to accommodate the required number of
accessible spaces .

Accessible Approach & Entrances
A public agency is required to take measures to
provide access to a place of public accommodation
and employee areas from public sidewalks,
accessible parking, or public transportation . The
DOJ dictates the minimum width, cross and
running slope, signage, and handrail requirements
associated with pedestrian accessible routes
of travel . These measures include, for example,
installing an entrance ramp, correcting tripping
hazards or lessening the slope of a curb ramp .

At least one route of travel to each amenity or
feature should be safe and accessible for everyone,
including people with disabilities .

PRIORITY 2:

J ELEMENTS USED FOR PROGRAMS,

SERVICES, AND ACTIVITIES
Barriers may need to be removed to play
equipment, picnic tables, public counters,
benches, and trash receptacles .

PRIORITY 3:

J RESTROOMS, SIGNAGE
Barrier removal may include widening
of toilet stalls, installation of grab bars,
and lowering lavatories and mirrors .

PRIORITY 4:

J ACCESS TO AUXILIARY FEATURES

AND AMENITIES
A public agency is required to take measures
to provide access to auxiliary features and
amenities along paths of travel, for instance,
kiosks, water fountains, and kitchen appliances .

PRIORITY 5:

J EMPLOYEE-ONLY AREAS
Employee-only areas are required to have
accessible entrances and exits, and accessible
paths of travel within interior work areas and
workstations . Corridors in employee-only areas,
employee-only restrooms, employee-only
kitchens and employee-only break rooms are
considered public areas (rather than employee-
only areas) under the ADA, and therefore, are
required to fully comply with accessibility
regulations governing those types of areas .

This plan focuses on barrier removal in public
areas since the City has specific programs for
workspace safety and access . Additionally,
employee areas are addressed through a
reasonable accommodation process, as needed,
under Title I of the ADA . More information on
Title I of the ADA can be found in Appendix A .
15 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 Appendix I contains a summary
list of barriers at each facility and
their designated priority level .

An ADA Facility Assessment
Report was prepared for each site
and is available under separate
cover by contacting the City’s
ADA Coordinator . Each report
contains a summary of findings
and individually recorded barriers
including a photo of the observed
deficiencies, a geocode reference
point, applicable standards,
recommendations to address and
planning level costs . The reports
are a snapshot of the facility at
the time of evaluation . In some
cases, the items contained in
the reports are not required to
be remediated because those
items were compliant at the time
of construction or alteration, or
other options are available to the
City to provide similar accessible
programs, activities, and services .

The reports do not necessarily
reflect actions that the City
must undertake, but rather
constitute a list of elements
that were not consistent with
accessibility standards current
at the time of the evaluation .

Assessment results were also
tabulated into an ADA database
using AssetCALC™, an online
interactive database created
by Bureau Veritas to manage
ADA and state accessibility code
information . The City intends
to export the database used by
Bureau Veritas and import the
data into its asset management
and work order software, Lucity .

This will provide the ability to
list, prioritize, query, and track
accessibility barrier removals .

Cost data in the database is
estimated at the time of report
writing, actual costs may vary .

A TRANSITION PLAN ASSISTS IN TURNING INACCESSIBLE FACILITIES INTO ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENTS USABLE BY INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. 16 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES IN

THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY
PROWAG requires pedestrian access routes to
be level, with a firm and slip resistant surface .

The term “level” refers to the cross slope (the
slope perpendicular to the path-of-travel) of the
sidewalk route and has an allowable 2% tolerance .

Obstructions are not allowed in the path-of-
travel, which is 4 feet wide and 80 inches high .

Typical obstructions in the path of travel include
overgrown foliage, utility poles, fire hydrants,
traffic signs and signals .

Vertical displacements are difficult for wheelchairs
to push their wheels over and can form tripping
hazards for the visually impaired and the average
pedestrian . Vertical displacements greater than ¼
inch on the pedestrian access route is considered a
barrier to accessibility .

Curb ramp on
Oak Street
2,862 curb ramps, 89 signalized intersections, 220 miles of sidewalk and 22.6 miles of pathways were evaluated using the Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) and the California Building Code.

Transit stops, crosswalks and other controlled
pedestrian crossings (ex . Rectangular Rapid
Flashing Beacons) still need to be evaluated and
once complete, will be added to the Transition Plan
as part of a future update . PROWAG are technical
guidelines published by the US Access Board under
the ADA and Architectural Barriers Act to address
access to sidewalks and streets, crosswalks, curb
ramps, pedestrian signals, on-street parking, and
other components of public right-of-way . Although
PROWAG has yet to be formally adopted by the
USDOJ/DOT, it clearly spells out the minimum level
of access required by the ADA in the public right of
way . PROWAG took effect September 7, 2023, and
will become enforceable once adopted by the
USDOJ/DOT . All data obtained for this evaluation
was documented in a geographic information
system (GIS) database .
17 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 Many sidewalk barriers are the
result of tree roots which tend
to grow under sidewalks and
lift the concrete slabs, creating
vertical displacements . Tree
roots can also lift one side of
the sidewalk, creating a cross
slope barrier that exceeds the
allowable tolerance and creates
a tripping hazard . The City
has a Master Street Tree Plan
which provides guidance for the
repair of sidewalks damaged by
trees and outlines a procedure
where trees may be removed
if no mitigation is available to
maintain an accessible sidewalk .

PROWAG generally requires curb
ramps wherever pedestrian
access routes cross curbs,
such as at street corners or
mid-block crossings . To be
accessible, curb ramps must
have certain dimensions and
slopes and have a detectable
warning for the entire length
and width of the curb ramp .

Many pedestrian crossings along
access routes are supplemented
with pedestrian signals .

These signals communicate to
pedestrians when the right-of-
way has been granted to them .

Most City traffic signals are
equipped with pedestrian signal
displays that provide lighted
symbols that are universally
understood to indicate when
right-of-way has been granted
to pedestrians . The WALKING
PERSON symbol indicates
when right-of-way has been
granted and pedestrians are
permitted to leave the curb or
shoulder; a flashing UPRAISED
HAND symbol lets pedestrians
know the pedestrian phase is
about to end, pedestrians in
the crosswalk should clear the
crosswalk as quickly as possible,
and no more pedestrians
should enter the crosswalk
from the curb or the shoulder;
and, a steady UPRAISED HAND
symbol warns pedestrians that
they do not have the right-of-
way to be in the crosswalk .

Some pedestrian signals
and hybrid beacons also
supplement the pedestrian
indications with countdown
timers . This alerts pedestrians
to the length of the time that
is available for pedestrians
to enter the crosswalk and to
the amount of time remaining
that a pedestrian has to clear
the intersection before the
right-of-way is assigned to
conflicting vehicle movements .

All components of a pedestrian
signal system or pedestrian
beacon and all information
communicated to pedestrians
must be readily accessible
and effectively communicated
to people with disabilities .

Accessible pedestrian signals
(APS) communicate information
about the WALK and DON'T
WALK intervals at the crossing .

APSs provide auditory, visual,
and vibrotactile information to
pedestrians who are blind or
who have low vision, who may
also have hearing loss, so they
can know when they should
begin to cross at a signalized
intersection . They essentially
translate visual pedestrian
information to other sensory
formats, enabling people with
disabilities to navigate cities
safely and comfortably .
18 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

PARK ST

BRIDGE FRUITVALE

BRIDGE HIGH ST
BRIDGE

POSEY TUBE

WEBSTER TUBE

BAY FARM

ISLAND BRIDGE

OAKLAND
FERRY

TERMINAL

MAIN ST
FERRY

TERMINAL

SEAPLANE
LAGOON
FERRY

TERMINAL

HARBOR BAY

FERRY TERMINAL

O A K L A N D E S T U A R Y

S A N F R A N C I S C O B A Y

SAN LEA N D RO BAY

SIDEWALKS ACCESSIBILITY SCORE
LEGEND
Low
Medium
High

J SIDEWALKS AND PATHWAYS
Sidewalk data was collected November 2022- February 2023 using pathVu’s “pathMet” sidewalk profiler . Pathway data was collected in January 2024 using the same equipment . pathMet is a manually propelled, multi-sensor, stroller-type profiling tool . It uses GPS and high-resolution cameras, lasers, and sensors to measure ADA compliance of sidewalks and pathways, including cross slope, running slope, surface smoothness, and vertical changes in level .

Data is provided for each 10-foot run segment including an aggregated Route Accessibility Index (RAI) . The RAI ranges from 0 to 100 and is a weighted scale of the vertical change in level (40%), smoothness of the surface (15%), running slopes (5%) and cross slopes (40%) . A sidewalk or pathway section with a high score such as 90 to 100 is considered good to great with few or no barriers to accessibility . A sidewalk section with a lower score such 50 has multiple barriers to access . The RAI conforms to ASTM E3028 .

The sidewalk data can also be
presented as the number of
instances of each barrier type:
▪ 1,372 instances were overgrown
vegetation reduced the sidewalk
clear width to less than the
minimum of 48” .
▪ 132 instances where the vertical
clearance was reduced to
less than 80” by overhanging
vegetation or other objects.
▪ 33,613 instances where vertical
change in level was greater than
the allowable ¼” . These are also
considered tripping hazards.
▪ 149.6 miles of sidewalk with a
cross slope greater than 2%.
19 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 TO BE ACCESSIBLE:

The City has a Master
Street Tree Plan which
provides guidance for
the repair of sidewalks
damaged by trees and
outlines a procedure
where trees may be
removed if no mitigation
is available to maintain
an accessible sidewalk.
20 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

PARK ST

BRIDGE FRUITVALE

BRIDGE HIGH ST
BRIDGE

POSEY TUBE

WEBSTER TUBE

BAY FARM

ISLAND BRIDGE

OAKLAND
FERRY

TERMINAL

MAIN ST
FERRY

TERMINAL

SEAPLANE
LAGOON
FERRY

TERMINAL

HARBOR BAY

O A K L A N D E S T U A R Y

S A N F R A N C I S C O B A Y

SAN LEA N D RO BAY

PATHWAYS ACCESSIBILITY SCORE
LEGEND
Low
Medium
High

J PATHWAYS
For pathways, number of instances
of each barrier type are as follows:
▪ 109 instances where the vertical
clearance was reduced to less than 80” by
overhanging vegetation or other objects.
▪ 165 instances were overgrown vegetation
reduced the pathway clear width to less
than the minimum of 48” .
▪ 11 miles of pathway with a cross slope
greater than 2%
▪ 2,254 instances where vertical change in
level was greater than the allowable ¼” .

Overgrown
vegetation
reduces the
pathway
21 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 D
D
DD
D
D
DD
D
DD
DD
D
DDDD
D
D
D
D
DDD
D
D

PARK ST

BRIDGE FRUITVALE

BRIDGE HIGH ST
BRIDGE

POSEY TUBE

WEBSTER TUBE

BAY FARM

ISLAND BRIDGE

OAKLAND
FERRY

TERMINAL

MAIN ST
FERRY

TERMINAL

SEAPLANE
LAGOON
FERRY

TERMINAL

HARBOR BAY

O A K L A N D E S T U A R Y

S A N F R A N C I S C O B A Y

SAN LEA N D RO BAY

CURB RAMP ACCESSIBILITY SCORE
LEGEND
Missing Curb Ramp
1 2
3 4
5 D

J CURB RAMPS
Curb ramps were assessed using pathVU’s “curbMet”
assessment tool . The running slope, cross slope, flare slope, landing slope, clear width and length dimensions, presence of detectable warning, damage, obstructions, and other data points were collected for each ramp . A weighted score of the various attributes was calculated for each curb ramp . A score of 0 is noted for locations where a curb ramp is required but missing . A score of 5 is compliant or nearly compliant with PROWAG and other standards . The curb ramp score can be used to determine barrier removal prioritization and phasing .

A comprehensive data set has been provided to the City for inclusion into the City’s existing GIS system .
28 locations were identified as needing a curb ramp where one did not exist . Accessibility scores for curb ramps evaluated are summarized in the Table . Curb ramps with a score of 5 are compliant or nearly compliant .

Curb Ramp
Accessibility
Score
Number
of Curb
Ramps
Percent
of Total
Unable to be
Scored 15 0 .5%
1 20 0 .7%
2 190 6 .6%
3 393 13 .7%
4 706 24 .7%
5 1,538 53 .7%
Total 2,862
22 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 Curb ramps must have
certain dimensions
and slopes and have a
detectable warning for
the entire length and
width of the curb ramp.

TO BE ACCESSIBLE:
23 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

PARK ST
BRIDGE

FRUITVALE
BRIDGE

HIGH ST
BRIDGE

POSEY TUBE

WEBSTER TUBE

BAY FARM

ISLAND BRIDGE

OAKLAND
FERRY

TERMINAL

MAIN ST
FERRY

TERMINAL

SEAPLANE
LAGOON
FERRY

TERMINAL

HARBOR BAY

O A K L A N D E S T U A R Y

S A N F R A N C I S C O B A Y
S A N

L E A N D R O
B A Y

PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL MAP
LEGEND
Signalized Intersection
Missing at least one Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) At lease one APS missing Audible T one
At least one Pedestrian Signal missing Countdown
All components of a
pedestrian signal system or
pedestrian beacon and all
information communicated
to pedestrians must be
readily accessible and
effectively communicated
to people with disabilities.

J SIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS
A Bureau Veritas Subject Matter Expert visited 89 signalized intersections within the City . For each controlled pedestrian crossing presence of a pedestrian signal head, countdown display, accessible pedestrian signal and audible and tactile tone for the accessible pedestrian signal was documented .

Each signalized intersection can have up to 8, and sometimes more, pedestrian signal systems . One for each directional crossing . Bureau Veritas identified 42 pedestrian signals without the countdown display informing pedestrians of the number of seconds remaining in the pedestrian change interval . They noted 105 individual crossings missing accessible pedestrian signals and of 495 accessible pedestrian signals they did identify, 47 were missing either an audible or vibrotactile tone . 24 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 Intersections at Sherman - Atlantic
and below: Saratoga - West Tower
All components of a
pedestrian signal system or
pedestrian beacon and all
information communicated
to pedestrians must be
readily accessible and
effectively communicated
to people with disabilities.

TO BE ACCESSIBLE:
25 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN
26 CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

CITY SPONSORED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Programs, activities, and services offered by the City must be accessible.

As part of the self-evaluation process, City
policies, practices and programs were reviewed
to ensure that they do not adversely affect
the full participation of individuals with
disabilities . This process included an accessibility
questionnaire for City departments and a
review of the policies and practices provided
by City staff and review of the City’s website .

The self-evaluation findings in this section
are organized into categories based on
the requirements of Title II of the ADA .

Each category includes a brief description,
required actions for compliance, and findings .

Recommended actions to address deficiencies
are included in the Transition Plan .

The City also reviewed its organizational
infrastructure to support implementation of the
Plan . The City aims to elevate disability access to
all City programs, activities, and services through
the integration of universal design principles
and inclusive policies . The recommendations
contained in this section will serve as a basis
for the implementation of specific strategies
that will improve access to City programs .

The City aims to
elevate disability
access to all City
programs, activities,
and services.

ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN
27 CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

J COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
Programs and services provided by the City must not discriminate against individuals with disabilities . This extends to providing programs (such as exercise, recreational, swimming, etc .) in an integrated setting . Providing segregated/separate programs for individuals with disabilities is not acceptable . Additionally, programs that have presentations and use audio/amplified communication (i .e ., microphones) need to accommodate individuals with hearing disabilities .

FINDINGS:
▪ The City does not have a written policy/procedure
in place that speaks to accessibility for City hosted
or sponsored special events . This document
should provide the basis of ADA requirements to
where all special events are held .
▪ The City does not have an accessibility page on
their website that provides a list of all accessible
features at the facilities, including parking,
playgrounds, restrooms, and picnic shelters .
▪ The City does not provide a statement on their
website under each program, service, and activity
that accommodation can be provided .
▪ The City does not have a written policy/procedure
that provides staff with training in supporting
individuals of all abilities in all programming
where they meet prerequisite requirements with
or without reasonable accommodation .
▪ The City does not have policies on their websites
regarding the use of service animals and
wheelchairs and manually powered mobility aids .
▪ The City’s Recreation and Parks Department hosts
programs at facilities owned by other Title II and
Title III entities, that may not be accessible .
▪ The City has lease agreements with third-party
entities, like the Alameda Swimming Pool
Association . The agreements state the lessee is
responsible for maintaining lifts at each pool .
▪ The City’s Recreation and Parks Department
provides ADA accommodations, as needed, but
does not have written policies and procedures
addressing ADA accommodations requests from
the public .
▪ The City’s Recreation and Parks Department
does not charge an additional program fee if an
individual with a disability requires their own
personal assistant to participate .
▪ The City’s Recreation and Parks Department will
accommodate an applicant or participant to a
program, including the possible moving of the
program to an accessible location .
▪ Multiple parks have playgrounds with engineer
wood fiber that have not been maintained
for accessibility . Furniture and stored items
placement throughout the facilities obstruct the
required maneuvering clearances .

A primary goal is to
optimize the use of
available funds to
provide access to public
amenities that matter
most to the public.

IMPROVE

ACCESSIBILITY

IN PARKS

J HOUSING
Residential facilities with residential dwelling units shall comply with Section 233 and with the technical and scoping requirements in Chapters 1 through 10 of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design . These facilities may also be subject to the requirements of the Fair Housing Act (FHA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended and/or The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) .

FINDINGS:

J PERSONNEL AND INTERNAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
No qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be subjected to discrimination in employment under any service, program, or activity conducted by a public entity .

FINDINGS:
▪ The City maintains two websites that deal with
various aspects of housing in Alameda, Alameda
Housing Authority and the City of Alameda
Rent Program . The City of Alameda has a robust
housing program to include senior, low income
housing, and programs such as the Single Room
Occupancy (SRO), Moderate Rehabilitation
(Mod Rehab) program, the Shelter Plus Care
(SPC) program, and the Family Self Sufficiency
programs . Eligibility is income based .
▪ Applications may be submitted online, in-
person, email, mail, or fax . Contact information is
provided .
▪ Information regarding reasonable
accommodation policies and procedures (i .e .,
modifications to a unit, allowing a tenant to have
an emotional support animal and other disability-
related issues) was provided on the City’s website .
▪ The City has very extensive and
thorough policies ranging from
administrative, personnel, rules,
and regulations to miscellaneous
categories . Key administrative
policies reviewed include:
• Drug Free Workplace
Policy: The policy details
requirements related to use of
controlled substances while on
City property or when working
off property . Disciplinary
and the Employee Assistance
Program (EAP) is described .
• Prohibiting Harassment,
Discrimination & Retaliation
Policy: Disciplinary policies are
thoroughly detailed .
• Evacuation Procedures for the
City of Alameda Policy: Policy
does not include information
on assisting people with
disabilities in emergency
evacuation .
• Family and Medical Leave
(FMLA)/Leave for Spouses of
Military Personnel; Domestic
Violence/Sexual Assault
Leave: The City of Alameda has
an extensive policy on FMLA .
• Personnel Files: The policy
does not state that reasonable
accommodation and medical
information regarding an
employee is maintained in a
separate file .
▪ The City does not have a
Workplace Violence policy in the
Employee Policy Handbook .
▪ The City does not have
a Corrective Action and
Disciplinary policy in the
Employee Policy Handbook .
▪ The City does not have an ADA
grievance procedure regarding
employees .
▪ The City does not have a written
ADA reasonable accommodation
and procedure policy regarding
employees .
28 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 J HUMAN RESOURCES: POSITION DESCRIPTIONS
Title I of the ADA prohibits employers from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment . The ADA covers employers with 15 or more employees and includes State and local governments . No qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be subjected to discrimination in employment under any service, program, or activity conducted by a public entity .

FINDINGS:
▪ Several position descriptions were reviewed
including the following:
• Combination Building Inspector
• Crime Scene Specialist
• Facility Attendant
• Gardener
• Police Assistant
• Tennis Instructor
▪ Job descriptions are not separated out by
essential job functions and non-essential job
functions . It is not clear which functions are
essential and non-essential .
▪ Most job descriptions do not provide a “Working
Condition/Physical Abilities” section .
▪ Most job descriptions do not include information
about the work environment, such as office or
outdoor and travel requirements .
▪ All job descriptions use inclusive language .
▪ All job descriptions include an Equal Employment
Opportunity (EEO) statement and provide contact
information for accommodation requests .
▪ All job descriptions include a disclaimer language
to remind employees/applicants that the
description is subject to change .

J ADA COORDINATOR
Title II also requires a designated accessibility coordinator to ensure the resolution of complaints and by inference, an employee or employees who will coordinate removal of barriers . A public entity that employs 50 or more persons shall designate at least one employee to coordinate its efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under this part, including any investigation of any complaint communicated to it alleging its noncompliance with this part or alleging any actions that would be prohibited by this part .

The public entity shall make available to all interested individuals the name, office address, and telephone number of the employee or employees designated pursuant to this paragraph .

FINDINGS:
▪ There is an ADA Coordinator who investigates all
complaints alleging that the government does
not comply with the ADA .
▪ The ADA Coordinator is currently the Public
Works Director .
▪ All roles and responsibilities of the ADA/504
Coordinator were not found on the City website .
▪ A standardized investigation into all complaints
is not provided .
29 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 J NOTICE OF THE ADA’S PROVISIONS
An ADA Public Notice is required by all state and local governments covered by title II, even entities with less than 50 employees . The target audience for the notice includes everyone who interacts with or would potentially interact with the title II entity . The notice should include relevant information regarding Title II of the ADA, and how it applies to programs, services, activities of the public entity, and the contact information of the ADA coordinator . The head of the public entity shall determine the most effective way of providing the public notice and provide the information on an ongoing basis . Information must be accessible to all and available in alternative formats (recording, radio announcement, large print, Braille, HTML format)
FINDINGS:
▪ The City of Alameda does not post clear information to the public that the ADA applies to all services, programs, and activities the City provides .

J GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
Title II of the ADA requires government entities to establish a complaint procedure for both the public and employees . A public entity that employs 50 or more persons shall adopt and publish grievance procedures providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action that would be prohibited by the ADA . The complaint procedure must include an accessible method of filing an accessibility complaint, such as a grievance procedure and grievance form posted on the city website .

FINDINGS:
▪ The City of Alameda has a grievance procedure that follows the DOJ recommendation . See Appendix E .
▪ Grievance/appeal forms were not located .
30 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN
31 CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

J GENERAL EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
Title II of the ADA requires that all state and local government take steps to ensure their communications with people with disabilities are as effective as communications with others . This requirement is referred to as “effective communication” and is required except where a state or local government can show that providing effective communication would fundamentally alter the nature of the service or program in question or would result in an undue financial and administrative burden . Effective communication applies to all members of the public with a disability, including job applicants, program participants, people who contact the state or local government seeking information about programs, services, or activities .

FINDINGS:
▪ Section 2-91 .13 of the City’s Sunshine Ordinance
- Chapter 2, Article IV of the City’s Municipal
Code – prohibits barriers to a person with
a disability from attending any policy body
meeting or other event .
▪ The City does not have written policies
and procedures on General Effective
Communications, but provides accommodations
such as providing sign language interpreters,
assisted listening devices, remote/handheld
microphones when a speaker cannot stand at
a podium, Braille format for written materials,
and moving meetings to accessible locations as
needed . Request for accommodations are made
by contacting the City Clerk’s office:
[email protected] or 510-747-4800 .
▪ The City of Alameda does not have a written
policy and procedures in place to deal with
requests from the public for sign language, oral,
cued speech interpreters .
▪ The City of Alameda does not have employees
who are qualified interpreters and does not have
a formal arrangement with one or more vendors
to provide interpreting services when needed .
▪ The City of Alameda does not have a written
policy or procedure to deal with requests from the
public for documents in Braille, large print, audio,
recording, and accessible electronic format .
▪ The City of Alameda does not have a written
policy or procedure to deal with requests from
the public for notetakers, computer-assisted real-
time transcription services, and other auxiliary
aids . However, there are assisted listening devices
in the Council Chamber .
▪ The City of Alameda does not have equipment
or arrangements with vendors to provide written
materials in alternative formats . The City can
provide text in an enlarged format .
▪ The City of Alameda does not have a written
policy to ensure all videos are provided with
captioning and audio description .
▪ The City of Alameda does not have a dedicated
text telephone number for the public .
▪ Telecommunication Relay Services and Video
Relay Services are not answered in the same ways
as other telephone calls .

ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN
32 CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

J WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY
The DOJ has stated, as they have in the past with other elements, spaces, or technologies for which there are no technical accessibility specifications, that the absence of a technical standard does not “serve as a basis for noncompliance” with the ADA’s general obligation to ensure equal access to goods and services; rather, it means that entities have flexibility in how to facilitate that access . There are standards and guidelines that can help web developers create and maintain accessible websites . For example, the Wed Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) developed by the global Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), which is part of the World Wide Web Consortium, the main international standards organization for the Internet, have long been available, and DOJ has often referred to these guidelines as a way of measuring the accessibility of websites .

FINDINGS:
▪ A written policy on website accessibility is not
provided on the City’s website .
▪ The website manager does not check the HTML of
all new webpages to confirm accessibility before
pages are posted .
▪ Text-based versions of documents (ex . HTML, RTF,
or word processing format) are not provided when
PDF files are added to the website .
▪ There is no written plan including time frames in
place to make all existing web content accessible .
▪ The City of Alameda has not asked disabilities
groups representing a wide variety of
disabilities to provide feedback on the
accessibility of their website .
▪ A plan to improve website accessibility and
invitation for improvement has not been posted on
the City’s website .
▪ In-house and contractor staff who create web
content or post it has not received copies of the
Department of Justice’s’ technical assistance
document “Accessibility of State and Local
Government Websites to People with Disabilities”?
See Appendix F .
▪ There is no procedure to assure a quick response
to website visitors with disabilities who are
having difficulty assessing information or services
available via the website .
▪ A thorough review for ADA compliance has been
performed . Results can be found in Appendix G .

J 9-1-1 AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SERVICES
The ADA requires that all Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) provide direct and equal access to their services for people with disabilities who use teletypewriters (TTYs) . PSAPs must receive TTY calls directly without relying on an outside relay service or third-party services . Telephone emergency services provided for TTY users must be as effective as those provided for people who make voice calls .

All basic emergency services provided by public safety agencies are covered, including police, fire, and ambulance services . Direct, equal access must be provided to all services included in the system .

FINDINGS:
▪ The City has TTY or TTY-compatible equipment at
every emergency communications service call-
taking position .
▪ The City’s back-up procedure in case of
equipment malfunctions, telephone line
malfunctions, or power failure is to route 911
calls to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office . TTY
calls route with the transfer .
▪ The response time, quality of service, offered
features and hours of operation of the telephone
emergency services provided for TTY users
equal to the response time of the services
provided to others .
▪ All emergency call takers respond to each silent,
open line call by querying the line with a TTY .
▪ The City has procedures for maintaining TTYs and
TTY-compatible equipment that are as effective as
the maintenance procedures for voice telephone
equipment .
▪ TTY training is mandatory for all emergency
communications services personnel who may
have contact with individuals from the public who
have hearing or speech disabilities . However, the
City does not offer refresher training for TTYs .
▪ The City does not have a documented frequency
to test their emergency services to ensure direct,
equal access for people using TTY .
33 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

J EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
One of the primary responsibilities of state and local governments is to protect residents and visitors from harm, including assistance in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and disasters . State and local governments must comply with Title II of the ADA in the emergency- and disaster- related programs, services, and activities they provide . This requirement applies to programs, services, and activities provided directly by state and local governments as well as those provided through third parties, such as the American Red Cross, private nonprofit organizations, and religious entities . Under Title II of the ADA, emergency programs, services, activities, and facilities must be accessible to people with disabilities and generally may not use eligibility criteria that screen out or tend to screen out people with disabilities . The ADA also requires making reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures when necessary to avoid discrimination against a person with a disability and taking the steps necessary to ensure effective communication with people with disabilities . The ADA generally does not require state or local emergency management programs to take actions that would fundamentally alter the nature of a program, service, or activity or impose undue financial and administrative burdens .

FINDINGS:
▪ The City has an agreement, which needs to
be formalized, with Red Cross for emergency
sheltering, but the agreement does not contain
policies and procedures to ensure compliance
with the ADA .
▪ The City does not have written procedures to
regularly seek and use input from persons with
a variety of disabilities and organizations with
expertise in disabilities in all phases of emergency
planning and during emergency simulations .
▪ The City is in the process of developing an
evacuation plan . This plan intends to address
evacuation needs of people who have mobility
disabilities, people who are blind or have
low vision, people who are deaf or hard of
hearing, people with cognitive and psychiatric
disabilities, people who use service animals,
and other people with disabilities who may need
evacuation assistance .
▪ The City is currently developing a voluntary
database where the public can provide their
demographics to aid emergency operations staff
in identifying those who need assistance .
▪ The database will aid staff with ordering specific
resources such as individualized notification,
evacuation assistance, and transportation
including accessible transportation . The City
plans to host monthly workshops at the Library
and Senior Center to assist members in signing
up for the voluntary database .
▪ The City works with Red Cross and has conducted
accessibility surveys at most emergency shelter
facilities . No barriers to accessibility have been
identified at the facilities that have been surveyed .
▪ The City has not adopted written policies and
procedures to maintain accessible features at
emergency shelter facilities .
▪ The City of Alameda has not adopted written
policies and procedures for shelter staff and
volunteers to aid people who are blind or have
low vision .
▪ The City does not have supplies of informational
materials routinely handed out at emergency
shelters available in alternative formats
(Braille, large print) for people who are blind
or have low vision .
34 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 ▪ The City does not provide “stress-relief” zones
at any emergency shelters .
▪ The City does not have procedures to provide
site-specific instructions to staff/volunteers
assisting people with disabilities .
▪ The City does not provide TTYs at all emergency
shelters .
▪ The City does not have written policies and
procedures to ensure emergency shelters are
accessible to people with disabilities who use
service animals .
▪ The City does not have written policies and
procedures to ensure emergency shelters are
accessible to people with disabilities who use
medical equipment, require medication, have
dietary restrictions, or use a mobility device .
▪ The City does not have written policies and
procedures to make sure benefit programs
assisting people harmed by emergencies
and disasters are accessible to people with
disabilities .
▪ The City does not have written policies and
procedures to ensure that programs relocated
from a damaged facility remain accessible to
people with disabilities .
35 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

THE TRANSITION PLAN,

ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL
It is not possible to implement the programs and services recommendations and remove all physical barriers to accessibility at once.

Programs will be developed and/or enhanced
and barriers removed based on a prioritized
schedule . The goal of this Transition Plan is to
ultimately ensure that programs, services, and
opportunities offered by the City are accessible
to the community, regardless of ability, yet
provide a realistic implementation plan given the
City’s fiscal capabilities and staffing capacity .

The Transition Plan is a snapshot in time of
prioritized barrier removal . As conditions
constantly change, the Transition Plan will be a
living document that is modified and updated on
a periodic basis to reflect barrier removal efforts,
new conditions, changes in funding levels, new
and revised strategies, and future public input .

The Transition Plan will also require modification
if new ADA requirements are issued by DOJ .

To ensure we have the right resource in place to
oversee implementation of this important plan, a
vacant position in the Public Works Department
is proposed to be elevated to an ADA Coordinator
job classification, pending City Council approval
of the Fiscal Year 2024/25 budget . If approved,
the City will recruit an ADA Coordinator and
hope to have the new hire in place in early
2025 . The ADA Coordinator will track progress
on implementing the Transition Plan and report
annually to the Commission on Persons with
Disabilities . The update will note barriers removed
and any revisions to the prioritization of barriers
to be removed . The new ADA Coordinator will
also establish and lead an interdepartmental
ADA Task Force that meets regularly . A primary
focus of the ADA Task Force will be to address
the recommendations noted in the table below
for accessible City programs and policies .

Erin Smith, the City’s Public Works Director
currently serves as the City’s ADA Coordinator .

She can be reached at esmith@alamedaca.
gov or at 950 W Mall Square, Suite 110, Alameda,
California or by phone 510-747-7938 .

The estimates for repair noted throughout this
report are based on invoice or bid documents
provided either by the City and/or construction
costs developed by construction resources
such as R .S . Means and Marshall & Swift, Bureau
Veritas’ experience with past costs for similar
properties, city cost indexes, and assumptions
regarding future economic conditions . Planning
level estimated values for barrier removal will
change over time due to inflation, changes
in construction practices and materials, and
unanticipated changes or additions to accessibility
regulations . 20% was added to the repair cost to
account for staff time, permitting and inspection .
36 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY

PARK ST
BRIDGE

FRUITVALE
BRIDGE

HIGH ST
BRIDGE

POSEY TUBE

WEBSTER TUBE

BAY FARM

ISLAND BRIDGE

OAKLAND
FERRY

TERMINAL

MAIN ST
FERRY

TERMINAL

SEAPLANE
LAGOON
FERRY

TERMINAL

HARBOR BAY

O A K L A N D E S T U A R Y

S A N F R A N C I S C O B A Y
S A N

L E A N D R O
B A Y
COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY (2023)
LEGEND
High social vulnerability
Highest social vulnerability
In accordance with the City’s General Plan Policy,
this Transition Plan considers other city-wide capital
improvements that will “Prioritize the transportation
improvements needed to serve the most vulnerable
communities, including youth, seniors, those with
limited mobility, those with limited income, and
historically underserved communities .” (General
Plan Policy ME-3, Mobility Element)
In 2020, the San Francisco Bay Conservation and
Development Commission developed a dataset
to better understand community vulnerability .

That dataset was updated in 2023 based on the
American Community Survey 2017- 2021 5-year
estimates . The map below shows City of Alameda
neighborhoods designated as either High or
Highest Socially Vulnerable .

The City is committed to prioritizing those who are disproportionately impacted by current conditions and are most vulnerable to accessibility barriers.

The goal of this Transition Plan is to ultimately ensure that programs, services, and opportunities offered by the City are accessible to the community, regardless of ability, yet provide a realistic implementation plan given the City’s fiscal capabilities and staffing capacity 37 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

IMPROVING

ACCESSIBILITY AT CITY

BUILDINGS AND PARKS
The Transition Plan prioritizes public
amenities that are in highest demand.

It considers usage levels, amenity uniqueness,
site safety, public input, and other considerations .

A primary goal is to optimize the use of available
funds to provide access to public amenities that
matter most to the public .

The Transition Plan organizes facility barrier
removal into five phases with each phase’s funding
considered as part of City’s two-year budget
process . To comply with the ADA as the phases are
implemented, the City will make accommodations
for the disabled when requested .

The Transition Plan
organizes facility
barrier removal into
five phases.
38 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 The facilities in each
phase, number of
barriers and planning
level cost estimates
are summarized in this
Table . An ADA Facility
Assessment Report for
each site is available
under separate cover
by contacting the
City’s ADA Coordinator .

Appendix I contains
a summary list of
barriers at each facility
and their designated
priority level .

Facility / Building Estimated
Cost*
No. of
Items
Phase One (Fiscal Years 2023/24 – 2024/25)
City Hall $350,125 192
Recreation & Park Admin Bldg $102,756 48
Mastick Senior Center & Grounds $807,068 265
Veterans Building & Grounds $502,660 208
Main Library $91,190 82
Longfellow Park & Restrooms $27,822 45
Washington Park & Facilities $259,170 123
Parking Lot A- Park Avenue $33,120 15
Parking Lot C – Alameda Ave $48,810 15
Parking Lot W – Haight Ave $41,730 15
Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal $83,084 26
Civic Center Parking Garage $97,969 30
Total Phase One $2,445,504 1064
Phase Two (Fiscal Years 2025/26 – 2026/27)
Alameda Point Gym & Multipurpose Field $98,094 49
City Hall West $554,604 63
West End Library & Grounds $26,116 27
Bay Farm Library $142,750 37
Franklin Park & Recreation Center $138,626 73
Godfrey Park & Recreation Center $71,840 28
Krusi Park & Recreation Center $184,142 43
Leydecker Park & Recreation Center $189,503 98
Lincoln Park & Facilities $431,376 178
Littlejohn Park & Recreation Center $66,833 26
McKinley Park & Recreation Center $52,402 45
Tillman Park & Recreation Center $125,334 35
Main St Ferry Terminal & Bathroom $52,673 26
Total Phase Two $ 2,134,292 728
Phase Three (Fiscal Years 2027/28 – 2028/29)
Bayport Park $29,267 28
City View Skate Park (Alameda Point) $41,354 12
Encinal Boat Ramp $344,135 21
Estuary Park $12,182 6
39 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 Facility / Building Estimated
Cost*
No. of
Items
Grand St Boat Launch Bathroom & Ramp $139,517 38
Harrington Park & Restrooms $24,726 7
Jean Sweeney Park & Restrooms $45,460 15
Woodstock Park & Facilities $55,556 53
O’Club Site $220,422 105
Total Phase Three $912,619 285

Phase Four (Fiscal Years 2029/30 – 2030/31)
Whale Park $5,112 6
Bohol Circle Immigrant Park $74,431 24
Saplane Lagoon Promenade $50,752 22
Chochenyo Park $123,390 19
Main Street Dog Park $112,613 9
Main Street Linear Park $243,526 11
Main Street Soccer Field $46,426 13
Marina Cove Waterfront Park $83,630 17
Marina Village Park $191,983 83
Rittler Park $12,316 7
Shoreline Park & Bathrooms 1 $93,509 63
Towata Park $56,198 27
Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal $65,668 11
Total Phase Four $1,159,553 312
Phase Five (Fiscal Years 2031/32 – 2032/33)
Bill Osborne Model Airplane Field $52,570 12
Emergency Operations Center $46,945 22
Fire Station #1 $31,763 13
Fire Station #2 $76,487 54
Fire Station #3 $111,709 21
Fire Station #4 $151,660 59
Fire Training Center $170,164 107
Garage Central Repair $32,245 50
Maintenance Service Center & Garage $63,364 64
Police Station $173,215 93
Total Phase Five $910,121 388
Grand Total $7,562,089 2,884
40 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

IMPROVING ACCESSIBILITY

IN THE RIGHT OF WAY
The City uses several methods to remove
accessibility barriers in the public right-of-way .

Some are annual programs that provide continual
means of barrier removal while others vary
based on outside influences such as permitted
development and available grant funding .

Existing annual programs in the City’s Capital
Improvement Program include Sidewalk Repair,
Signal Modernization, Pavement Management
and Park Pathway Repair and Replacement .

Currently, work within these existing programs
is prioritized based on condition with priority
given to locations in and around schools,
commercial districts, and public buildings . Work
is also informed by public input and generally
is organized into areas of geographic emphasis .

Data gathered as part of this ADA evaluation
will be used to further inform the prioritization
of work within existing and new programs .

J PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT
The City’s Pavement Management program
seeks to maximize the condition of the 127
centerline miles of streets in Alameda with a
combination of overlays, crack sealing, and
pavement slurry seals . Pavement treatments
are based on the existing pavement condition,
age of pavement, and funding availability,
typically treating approximately 4 miles of
streets per year . Whenever a street is overlain
with a new pavement, all curb ramps at each
intersection are upgraded to current accessibility
standards . Additionally, enhanced pavement
striping including high visibility crosswalks,
intersection daylighting, and new signage is
implemented along High Injury Corridors to
further improve pedestrian and bicycle safety .

Alameda Point’s Adaptive Reuse Area
has new backbone infrastructure,
including accessible sidewalks
41 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

J TRAFFIC SIGNAL MODERNIZATION
The City’s signalized intersections have varying levels of capabilities to support traffic operations . The Signal Modernization Project systematically upgrades traffic
signal equipment . The project installs battery backup
systems to keep traffic signals operational in the
event of a power outage . In-pavement detection loops
are replaced with video detection . Pedestrian signal
heads are installed or replaced along with Accessible
Pedestrian Signals . This work increases system
reliability and improves performance, safety, and
functionality for all intersections users .

J SIDEWALK REPAIR
The City’s existing Sidewalk Repair program is guided
by the Streets and Highway Code, which places
responsibility of sidewalk condition with the adjacent
property owner . The City, upon becoming aware of
any sidewalk disrepair, is responsible for notifying the adjacent property owner and directing them to make
the repair . Ultimately, if the property owner does not make the repair, the City can and then pass the cost of the repair to the property owner . Current practice is for the City to incur the cost and make repairs to sidewalk damaged by street trees .

Approved funding for these programs in the Fiscal
Year 2023-25 biennial budget are as follows:

Annual Program 2024/25 Funding
Sidewalk Repair $1,000,000
Signal Modernization $750,000
Pavement Management $5,164,000
Total: $6,914,000

J NEW CURB RAMP ACCESSIBILITY
A new Curb Ramp Accessibility program will be
launched in 2024/25 with an initial $300,000
investment of Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) funds . Each year, this program will
competitively pursue use of the City’s allotment of
funding for non-housing public improvements .
42 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

HIGHEST PRIORITY NEXT HIGHEST PRIORITY THIRD HIGHEST PRIORITY

PRIORITY FRAMEWORK
Below is the priority framework for improving accessibility in the right of way. Referenced street classifications are from the City’s General Plan . Costs are included when using estimated quantities and unit costs makes sense . For example, a sidewalk tripping hazard can be removed with concrete cutting, which costs on average $175 per cut . On the other hand, removing obstructions in the pedestrian path of travel is more difficult to estimate since each situation is so unique . An obstruction may be overgrown vegetation, which has a relatively low cost to remediate, or it may be a utility pole, which has a much higher cost to remediate . ▪ Requests from persons with
disabilities experiencing a
barrier .
▪ On Main Streets, around City
Sites and Parks and in Socially
Vulnerable Neighborhoods:
• Sidewalk tripping hazards
greater than ¼” that can
be repaired with horizontal
concrete cutting: $565,000
• Sidewalks requiring removal
and replacement because
the vertical displacement is
greater than 2” or the cross
slope is greater than 5%:
$1,918,750
• Obstructions that make the
sidewalk less than 4’ wide
and 80” high
▪ Missing curb ramps Citywide:
$270,000
▪ Repair/replace Island and
Mecartney Dr Pathways:
$300,000
▪ Missing pedestrian signal
heads and/or missing
accessible pedestrian signals
▪ Barrier removal will be in
conjunction with planned
improvements under the
capital program
▪ On Local Streets:
• Tripping hazards greater
than ¼” that can be repaired
with horizontal concrete
cutting: $1,600,000
• Sidewalks requiring removal
and replacement because
the vertical displacement is
greater than 2” or the cross
slope is greater than 5% -
$3,523,750
• Obstructions that make the
sidewalk less than 4’ wide
and 80” high
▪ Tripping hazards on pathways/
trails greater than ¼” that can
be repaired with horizontal
cutting .
▪ Curb ramps with an
accessibility score of 1-2
Citywide: $2,100,000
▪ Missing pedestrian signal
countdown displays and
accessible pedestrian signals
missing an audible tone
▪ On Neighborhood
Connectors, Gateway, and
Business Commercial Streets
• Tripping hazards greater
than ¼” that can be
repaired with horizontal
concrete cutting: $754,000
• Sidewalks requiring
removal and replacement
because the vertical
displacement is greater
than 2” or the cross slope is
greater than 5%: $8,435,000
▪ Obstructions that make the
sidewalk less than 4’ wide
and 80” high
▪ Pathways/trails requiring
replacement because the
vertical displacement is
greater than 2” , the cross
slope is greater than 5% and/
or obstructions make the
pathway less than 4’ wide and
80” high
▪ Curb ramps with an
accessibility score of 3-4
Citywide: $11,000,000
43 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024 Under the City’s current
Sidewalk Repair Program, the
adjacent property owner is
responsible for making repairs to
the sidewalk unless the damage
was caused by a street tree . If a
street tree caused the damage,
the City makes the repair .

Sidewalk work is costly and often
unexpected, as property owners
are generally unaware of their
responsibility to make sidewalk
repairs . Other challenges arise
for property owners such as
finding a suitable contractor,
negotiating the work, getting
a City permit, etc .…To make it
easier on property owners and
to promote more sidewalk repair
work, the City will launch a new
program, pending City Council
approval, that offers property
owners an option to have the
City do the repairs and bill them
for the work . This will streamline
things for property owners and
may reduce costs given the
large volume of work under the
City contract . City Council will
provide direction on additional
details of the program, including
a financial hardship provision .

Please note that while the ADA
code requires sidewalk cross
slopes to be less than 2%, the
assessment of the City sidewalks
found that over 85% of City
sidewalks have a slope greater
than the standard . It would
be economically infeasible to
try to update all sidewalks .

Therefore, to implement a logical
and economically feasible plan
towards compliance, and to
implement maximum safety
considerations, sidewalks with
severe cross slopes greater
than 5% will be addressed
as a first order of priority .

Transit stops, crosswalks and
other controlled pedestrian
crossings (ex . Rectangular
Rapid Flashing Beacons)
will be evaluated and added
to the Transition Plan as
part of a future update .
44 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

ENHANCING ACCESSIBILITY FOR

CITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

RECOMMENDATION
Addressed
by (Fiscal
Year)

COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
Update policy for City hosted and/or sponsored Special Events to address recommended ADA provisions . 2026/27
Ensure all third-party sites where programs, activities and/or services are provided meet accessibility requirements . Work with Title II and Title III entities to ensure program accessibility .
2026/27
Develop a policy regarding ADA training for City staff . Training shall cover ADA compliant programming . Accommodation and working with and supporting participants with disabilities . Part-time Recreation staff shall also be trained in positive behavior support and behavior management for participants of all abilities . Consider the City’s need for an Inclusion Support Specialist in the Recreation and Parks Department . 2025/26
State in all City notifications (written/print, website, posters, etc .): “if you need an accommodation in order to participate in this program (wheelchair access, sign language interpreter, written materials in alternate format) please contact…… .” 2025/26
Include on the City’s website and in other informational material details on the accessibility of the facility or facilities where programs take place . If an applicant or participant needs to be accommodated, it may require moving the program to an accessible location or the City employee must meet the resident at an accessible location within the variety of City facilities . 2025/26
Adopt a policy requiring the maintenance of accessible feature throughout the City’s facilities (e .g ., maintenance of walkways, playground surfaces and elevators, placement of furniture and stored items in restrooms and door maneuvering clearances) . 2025/26
The Self Evaluation identified several areas
where the City can enhance accessibility in our
communications, community-based programs
and services, ADA grievance process, internal
policies, and emergency management. Specific
recommendations are made to address each
finding . For example, the City should establish
a policy to standardize investigations into all
ADA complaints . And the City should regularly
enlist people with a variety of disabilities to test
the City website for accessibility and ease of
1 For the full toolkit, visit https://www .ada .gov/pcatoolkit/toolkitmain .htm use . Implementation of the recommendations
for more accessible City programs and services
will occur over the next three years . Each
recommendation and the fiscal year it will be
addressed is included in the Transition Plan . The
recommendations are not all-inclusive and may be
adapted as new technologies and opportunities
arise . More information about requirements and
strategies can be found in the “ADA Best Practices
Toolkit for State and Local Governments1 .”
45 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

RECOMMENDATION
Addressed
by (Fiscal
Year)

HOUSING
Make housing applications and housing-related forms available to individuals with disabilities in alternative formats (large print, Braille, audiotape, computer disk, pictorial signage, etc . .) . 2024/25 Provide the reasonable accommodation policy in common spaces to ensure current tenants and future tenants are aware of the policy . 2024/25

PERSONNEL AND INTERNAL POLICIES, HUMAN RESOURCES
Develop a policy for short-term and long-term/permanent disabilities . 2026/27 Develop a Workplace Violence policy in the Employee Policy Handbook 2024/25 Develop an ADA Grievance Procedure and Grievance form with an appeal process for Title I .

The procedure shall be publicized in common areas that are accessible to all employees . The City shall maintain an ADA log .

Develop a reasonable accommodation request policy, procedure, and request form . The policy shall be adopted by all departments for consistency . A request log shall be maintained including an internal request number, details of the request, and details regarding the resolution .
2026/27
Separate essential and non-essential job functions in City job descriptions . 2025/26 Job descriptions should add information on physical abilities and the frequency of when the physical ability is performed . Descriptions such as “occasionally” , “frequently” , “constantly” may be used to describe how often a task is performed . An example includes, “Frequently moves gym audio and visual equipment weighing up to 25 pounds across the facility for various meetings” .
2026/27
Ensure job descriptions include information on the work conditions, such as office or outdoor and travel requirements and its frequency . 2025/26
Add language for reasonable accommodations for specific job requirements listed in job descriptions . For example, if a job requires moving heavy objects, add “with or without reasonable accommodations upon request” at the end of the statement . It is also best practice to include language, that “supervisors may assign additional duties or requirements” so applicants know they can safely apply regardless of disability status . 2025/26
ADA COORDINATOR, NOTICE OF THE ADA’S PROVISIONS, GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES Post the name, office address and telephone number of the designated ADA Coordinator on the City’s website and on all accessibility related documents . The contact information shall be updated as necessary .
2024/25
Establish full time or nearly full time ADA Coordinator position who will oversee implementation of the recommendations in this plan, comply with and carry out the responsibilities of an ADA Coordinator, serve as liaison to the Commission on Persons with Disabilities and build relations with the disabled community and external advocacy groups . 2024/25
Establish a policy to standardize investigation into all complaints . 2024/25 46 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

RECOMMENDATION
Addressed
by (Fiscal
Year)
ADA COORDINATOR, NOTICE OF THE ADA’S PROVISIONS, GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES Establish a person who is responsible when the ADA coordinator is not available . 2024/25 Develop a public notice in accordance with the DOJ recommendation . 2024/25 Establish a policy to inform people of their protection of the ADA in public locations and in alternate formats 2024/25
▪ Develop grievance/appeal forms to streamline the process . Provide the grievance procedure in alternate formats . Distribute grievance procedures to all department heads . Provide policy to update procedure and contact information as necessary . ▪ Distribute grievance procedures to all department heads . 2024/25

GENERAL EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
Develop policy to include information on the provision of interpreter services:
▪ time required to obtain interpreter .
▪ statement that a family member or companion of deaf persons shall not be requested to serve as sign language interpreter .
▪ statement that a person with a hearing impairment shall not be charged for the cost of the interpreter .
▪ statement of when a request for an interpreter is deny based on undue financial and administrative burden and that the individual with a disability will receive the benefits or services provided
2025/26
Make arrangements with vendors so interpreters are available when needed . 2025/26 Develop policies and procedures to provide auxiliary aids and services . Train employees on the policy to follow when they receive a request for interpreter or auxiliary aids . Make the policy available to employees in all departments who face the public . 2025/26
Make arrangements with vendors to provide written materials in alternate formats (e .g ., Braille large print, audio format, electronic format) . 2025/26 Publish the City’s effective communication policy on the City’s website in an accessible format . 2025/26
Solicit feedback from the community who have different disabilities on the effectiveness of the communication policy . 2025/26
Where the City of Alameda communicates by telephone with applicants and beneficiaries, text telephones (TTYs) or equally effective telecommunications systems shall be used to communicate with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing or have speech impairments . 2025/26
Provide written policies and training to employees who answer telephone calls to ensure calls made through a relay service are handled as quickly and effectively as other calls . 2025/26

WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY
Establish a policy that webpages will be accessible and create a process for implementation . 2025/26 47 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

RECOMMENDATION
Addressed
by (Fiscal
Year)

WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY
Develop a plan to make the web contents accessible and include specific steps and timeframes . Describe the plan on an accessible webpage that can be easily located from the home page . Encourage input on accessibility improvements including which pages should be given priority for change . Let the public know about the standards or guidelines being used to provide accessibility .
2025/26
Ensure staff and contractors are properly trained in web accessibility policy and procedures . 2025/26 Distribute the DOJ’s technical assistance document to all staff or contractor who create web content or post it . 2025/26
Provide a way for visitors to request accessible information or services and provide feedback about accessibility problems by posting a telephone number and email address on your home page . Establish a procedure to assure a quick response . 2025/26
Regularly enlist people with a variety of disabilities to test the webpage for accessibility and ease of use . 2025/26
Ensure alternative means are available for people with disabilities who are unable to use computers to access information, programs, and services that are normally provided on the webpage .
2025/26
9-1-1 AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
Ensure emergency services require and offer training for TTY at least as often as training for voice calls and at least every six months . 2024/25
Conduct unannounced tests to all call-taking positions using silent open line calls and calls transmitting TTY tones . 2024/25
Keep record of results of all test calls including date and time of each call, identification of the call-taking position, whether the call was silent/transmitted tones, whether the caller received a TTY response and the content of the response, the time elapsed and the number of rings from the initiation of the TTY call until the call taker response by TTY, and whether the call was processed according to the City’s standard operating procedures . 2024/25

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Ensure third party organizations contracted or arranged to help with emergency preparedness or management commit to compliance with the requirements of Title II of the ADA in formalized agreements .
2026/27
Adopt a written policy/procedure to seek and use input from people with different types of disabilities and organizations with expertise on disabilities issues regarding all phases of the emergency management plan and during emergency simulations . 2026/27
Adopt a written policy/procedures to ensure people with disabilities, including those who have mobility, vision, hearing, cognitive, and psychiatric disabilities, can safely self-evacuate or be evacuated by others .
2026/27
48 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

RECOMMENDATION
Addressed
by (Fiscal
Year)

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Publicize the voluntary database, including outreach to people with disabilities, and organizations with expertise on disability issues . Outreach should explain the purpose of the database and emphasize the confidential nature of the database . 2026/27
Adopt a written policy/procedure for shelter staff/volunteers to assist people who are blind or have low vision in understanding shelter layout, locating shelter amenities, and completing forms and other written materials .
2026/27
Adopt a written policy/procedure to provide effective communication during the emergency response for people who are deaf or have low vision . 2026/27 Adopt a written policy/procedure prioritizing people whose disabilities are aggravated by stress, a low-stimulation “stress-relief zone” , when space allows . 2026/27 Adopt a written policy/procedure to ensure that people with disabilities:
▪ are housed at “mass care” shelters unless they are medically fragile . ▪ who may need assistance with activities of daily living, even when their personal care aides may not be with them, are not turned away .
▪ are not housed in “special needs” and “medical” shelters just because they have a disability 2026/27
Adopt a written policy/procedure to ensure that shelter staff/volunteers receive training with site-specific instructions for providing people with disabilities access to all services, activities, and programs at the specific shelter they are operating . 2026/27
Adopt a written policy/procedure TTYs at all emergency shelters, this may be accomplished by providing Wi-Fi capability at shelters . 2026/27
Adopt a written policy/procedure to ensure that people with disabilities who use service animals at emergency shelters:
▪ are not separated from their service animals and have full access to shelter programs, services, and activities, even if pets are normally prohibited in specific areas of the shelters . ▪ are provided with food, water, receptacles and plastic bags for the disposal of service animal waste .
▪ can take their animals outside for relief without unnecessary delays for screening upon re-entry
2026/27
Adopt a written policy/procedure to ensure people with disabilities that use medical equipment, require medication, have dietary restrictions, and/or use a mobility device:
▪ are provided with a way to keep medications refrigerated . ▪ when possible, are notified of the location of shelters providing electricity and refrigeration . ▪ can request and receive durable medical equipment and medication . ▪ are provided with immediate access to food and refrigerated medications, as applicable . ▪ are allowed to request cots or beds, modifications to cots or beds, securement of cots or beds to allow safe transfer to a wheelchair, and placement of cots or beds in specific locations when needed .
2026/27
Adopt a written policy/procedure to ensure programs relocated from a damaged facility on a temporary or permanent basis remain accessible to people with disabilities . 2026/27 49 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

BUREAU VERITAS CERTIFICATION
Bureau Veritas has completed a Comprehensive
Accessibility Evaluation of the City of Alameda
properties in Alameda County, California, in
accordance with the requirements of 28 CFR
Part 35, the 2010 ADA Design Standards for
Accessible Design, and the State of California
Building Code sections related to accessibility .

The conclusions and recommendations presented
in this report are based on the evaluations of
properties under the jurisdiction of the City of
Alameda, associated documentation related to the
properties, and input from the City of Alameda staff .

Accessibility evaluations were conducted by
Bureau Veritas Project Architects and Project
Engineers during site visits to individual properties .

Project Architects’ and Engineers’ observations
were made during site visits conducted in 2022
- 2023 . Cost estimates for barrier removal are
planning level cost estimates based on Bureau
Veritas’s experience with similar properties .

The assessments were performed at the
Client’s request using methods and procedures
consistent with good commercial and customary
practice for assessing compliance with the Title
II provisions of the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA), including the requirements of 28 CFR
Part 35, and applicable state requirements .

Accessibility barriers in areas which were not
readily accessible, and/or may not have been
visible, may exist . Individual facility reports
describe property conditions at the time that the
observations and research were conducted . The
individual facility reports are not an engineering
evaluation of physical conditions . The Self-
Evaluation did not include engineering evaluations
or engineering calculations to determine the
adequacy of the park or facility’s original design
or to determine engineered cost estimates .

The opinions Bureau Veritas expresses in this
report were formed utilizing the degree of skill
and care ordinarily exercised by any prudent
architect or engineer in the same community under
similar circumstances . Bureau Veritas assumes
no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of
the information contained in this report, which
has been obtained from the Client or the Client’s
representatives, from other interested parties, or
from the public domain . The conclusions presented
represent Bureau Veritas’s professional judgment
based on information obtained during the course
of this assignment . The conclusions presented are
based on the data provided, observations made,
and conditions that existed specifically on the
date of the assessments of individual properties .

Bureau Veritas certifies that Bureau Veritas has no
undisclosed interest in the subject property, Bureau
Veritas’ relationship with the Client is at arms-
length, and that Bureau Veritas’ employment and
compensation are not contingent upon the findings
or estimated costs to remedy any deficiencies .

This report has been prepared on behalf of and
exclusively for the use of the City of Alameda
for the purposes stated herein . The purpose
for which this report shall be used shall be
limited to the use as stated in the contract
between the client and Bureau Veritas .

This report, or any of the information contained
therein, is not for the use or benefit of, nor
may it be relied upon by any other person or
entity, for any purpose without the advance
written consent of Bureau Veritas . Any reuse or
distribution without such consent shall be at the
client’s or recipient’s sole risk, without liability
to Bureau Veritas . If you have any questions
regarding this report, please contact Michael
Cunniff, Senior Project Manager, (800) 766-0660 x
7296214 . BV Project #:154465 .22R000-PGM .413,
154465 .22R000-00A .206, 154465 .22R000-00A .428
Certified by:

Justin Vang
[email protected]
50 ADA SELF EVALUATION & TRANSITION PLAN CITY OF ALAMEDA | JUNE 2024

Alameda City CouncilJune 18, 2024

Alameda City Council
June 18, 2024