Village officials say Hinsdale will spend a minimum of $500,000 to bring public facilities into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Finance Director David Cook gave the Administration and Community Affairs Committee a 10-page list of areas that need structural changes to meet ADA guidelines.
The list includes installing more than 700 sidewalk ramps throughout the village, and modifying elevators, drinking fountains, restrooms and telephones at municipal buildings. Cook said the modifications would cost ”a minimum of $500,000.”
Although committee members agreed the issue is important, some think the federally mandated requirements are excessive. The expense of making structural changes to municipal buildings, such as the Katherine Legge Memorial buildings and the Hinsdale Youth Center, might force programs at those sites to be cut, committee member Allan Barta said.
With areas targeted for change, Cook said the next step is to determine the best way to alter those areas to meet the needs of the disabled. He said the village would seek input from the disabled in making the changes, which must be in place by January 1995.
