Septempber 10, 2008: Professional development course

Designing Pedestrian Facilities for Accessibility

Description
Sidewalks, like roadways, should be designed to serve all users. To meet the needs of all sidewalk users, designers and builders need a clear understanding of the applicable standards and requirements, and the wide range of abilities of the users.

This course, developed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP), teaches participants how to apply the guidelines and policies of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to public rights-of-way. The course will examine range of pedestrian disabilities, how people with disabilities use pedestrian facilities, and how restrictive designs affect mobility and safety.

1. Accessibility guidelines and requirements of the ADA
2. Characteristics of pedestrians and the pedestrian environment
3. Legal requirements and funding opportunities (US DOT and FHWA)
4. Obligations to evaluate practices, policies and activities for discrimination and to remove barriers

Participants will learn how to enhance pedestrian mobility, independence, and safety through accessible design and the accessible design elements of the pedestrian corridor, including:

1. Accessible driveways and curb ramps
2. Street crossings, including crosswalks, overpasses, underpasses, medians, and islands
3. Intersections and roundabouts
4. Pedestrian signs and signals, including accessible pedestrian signals
5. Temporary facilities and construction site safety

Who should attend?
Urban and transportation planners, landscape architects, designers, engineers, advocates, and others with responsibility for designing, planning, and/or building pedestrian facilities in the public right of way.

Instructor    MICHAEL RONKIN
From 1989 to 2006, Michael Ronkin served as Oregon DOT’s Bicycle/Pedestrian Program Manager, where he helped shape ODOT’s proactive pedestrian and bicycle policies. Michael is a nationally acknowledged expert in designing streets to better accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. As president of Designing Streets for Pedestrians and Bicyclists, he helps citizens achieve their goals of place-making, building livable communities, and reaching consensus on critical design issues. Michael regularly offers training courses to engineers and planners, and addresses various audiences on the need to ensure that our cities and streets are planned and built with people, not just cars, in mind.

For more information
Contact the IBPI at 503-725-4024 or ibpi@pdx.edu

Sponsored by
This course is sponsored by the Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation (ibpi). The IBPI's purpose is to enhance policies, programs, and projects that promote pedestrian and bicycle travel through research, education, and outreach.

Registration
The fee for this professional development course is $295. This includes morning coffee, snacks, lunch, and course materials. The fee does not include travel, lodging or other meals while in Eugene. To register for the program please use the form on the next page and fax or mail it in to our office. Registration deadline is September 3rd.

Special Note: A limited number of scholarships for current students are available for this workshop, with generous support from Cycle Oregon. Please email ibpi@pdx.edu to request a scholarship application.

Download the description and registration form!