City of Berkeley Mayor's Office

Berkeley Wins Accessible America Competition -- Named #1 City in U.S. by National Organization on Disability

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 11, 2007 - Berkeley, CA, and Chicago, IL, have been chosen as the winner and runner-up in the sixth annual Accessible America Contest, the National Organization on Disability (NOD) announced today. The cities are being heralded as national models for their focus on disability issues and successful design of programs, services and facilities that are accessible for citizens and visitors who have disabilities. The Accessible America Contest, administered by NOD’s Community Partnership Program, is sponsored by generous grants from UPS and Wal-Mart.

Other 2006 contest finalists were: Alexandria, VA; Bloomington, IN; Indianapolis, IN; Louisville, KY; Miami Beach, FL; New Haven, CT; San Francisco, CA and Sioux Falls, SD,

Berkeley will receive the top prize of $25,000 sponsored by UPS. Their best practices including the nation’s first universally designed affordable housing development; free and reduced price accessible taxi services to people with disabilities; A Medical Return Transportation Improvement Program to subsidize taxi and van rides for people returning from medical appointments; a Citywide Inclusion Program within its Parks and Recreations Department; a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan for people with disabilities; emergency attendant care and transportation services funded by a self-imposed tax; programs promoting artists with disabilities; internship and mentorship programs for youth with disabilities, to promote their inclusion in the workforce

"As the birthplace of the disability civil rights movement, we in Berkeley could not be more honored to win the 2006 Accessible America contest," said Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates. "The award is truly a reflection of the great people in our community and on our City staff that continue to find new and innovative ways to allow everyone in our community to fully participate in civic and cultural life. We will use this award not as an opportunity to rest on our laurels, but to rededicate ourselves to disability rights and access."

Chicago will receive a Wal-Mart sponsored cash award of $10,000. Chicago was chosen for a variety of programs that help incorporate people with disabilities in community life, including a revision of the city building code to include comprehensive requirements for adaptability and visitability; a home modification program for low to moderate income households; a Mayoral Task Force on Employment of People with Disabilities to bring more people with disabilities into the workforce; the Business Enterprises Owned and Operated by People with Disabilities certification program; a Festival of Disability Arts and Culture, showcasing the works of artists with disabilities, and the contribution of the disability community to community life; an evacuation committee comprised of representatives of various disability agencies; quarterly training for first responders in the special needs of people with disabilities in a disaster; established an extreme weather emergency plan that includes well-being calls, and visits to people with disabilities, and other at-risk residents; an annual disability pride parade through downtown; cooperation with Chicago Public Schools to coordinate National Disability Mentoring Day, and a National Job Shadow Day for students with disabilities.

The award money will be presented at forthcoming ceremonies to the Mayor in each of the winning cities and is intended to fund local disability-related efforts.

Previous Accessible America first-place winners include: Cambridge, MA, Venice, FL; Irvine, CA; Phoenix, AZ and Pasadena, CA.

The five leading national disability advocates and experts who served as Accessible America Contest judges chose the winners based on comprehensive accessibility and opportunity for people with disabilities. Accessible America applicants demonstrate an exceptional commitment to offering their citizens with disabilities full and equal opportunities to participate in the life of their community, including access to jobs, education, religious worship, voting, transportation, housing, emergency preparedness planning, and services. The Accessible America Contest promotes nationwide replication of these best practices.