On March 4, 2024, the Washington Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Committee) issued a report on accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The report was issued after a series of public hearings where the Committee heard from individuals, organizations, and professionals with specific knowledge of and experience with accessibility in Washington.
Committee Chair Alexes Harris stated, “We began this project with an interest in learning more about street and sidewalk accessibility for people in general, and for people who use wheelchairs or other support devices. We learned so much about the lack of adequate infrastructure that allows people access to live their lives fully - going to parks, the grocery store and even accessing local buses. Through our panels with people who are in and work with various communities of people with varying physical abilities, we learned that physical barriers to accessibility for people with disabilities is a critical issue for ensuring civil rights for all in Washington State. Our hope is that the recommendations we have outlined in the report are seriously considered by Federal, state, and local agencies charged with creating and funding infrastructure to ensure physical accessibility for all people.”
bpeery@usccr.gov