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Barden v. Sacramento

On January 22, 2004, the court granted final approval of the settlement in Barden v. Sacramento. This case set a nationwide precedent requiring cities and other public entities to make all public sidewalks accessible. As a result of the court's ruling in this case, public entities must address barriers such as missing or unsafe curb cuts throughout the public sidewalk system, as well as barriers that block access along the length of the sidewalks. Following the court victory, the parties reached a settlement addressing all sidewalk barrier issues City-wide.

The settlement provides that for up to 30 years, the City of Sacramento will allocate 20% of its annual Transportation Fund to make the City's Pedestrian Rights of Way accessible to individuals with vision and/or mobility disabilities. This will include installation of compliant curb ramps at intersections, removal of barriers that obstruct the sidewalk, including narrow pathways, abrupt changes in level, excessive cross slopes, and overhanging obstructions, and improvements in crosswalk access. More info at www.pw.sacto.org.

"With final approval of the settlement, the streets and sidewalks of Sacramento will become safer and more accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities. We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this case," said Larry Paradis, executive director of Disability Rights Advocates.

The City needs to hear that barrier removal is important to you. The settlement gives the highest priority to requests from individuals to fix specific barriers. If there is a barrier that you want fixed, please contact:

Theresa Arnold
ADA Coordinator for the Public Works Department, City of Sacramento
(916) 808-5514 (phone)
(916) 264-8357 (fax)
tarnold@cityofsacramento.org

Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) is monitoring compliance by Sacramento with the settlement. DRA is also investigating complaints concerning inaccessible sidewalks at other cities and towns in California. Such complaints may be submitted to DRA online at general@dralegal.org or by calling (510) 665-8644.

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