PROUDLY ACCESSIBLE DUBUQUE

PROUDLY ACCESSIBLE DUBUQUE. Guidelines for accessibility were established by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Dubuque's building codes followed the ADA guidelines and the Iowa Accessibility Code. (1) Proudly Accessible Dubuque was organized in 2007 to help businesses with guidance on accessibility issues. The first paid director was hired in 2012, but staff was primarily volunteers. (2) Beginning in 2008, the city had an ADA building inspector with the responsibility of inspecting each building for "readily achievable" removal of barriers. Following the inspection a letter was written to the business outlining any required improvements and the deadlines for compliance. If a business had a sizable amount to pay for improvements, federal tax credits and deductions along with low-interest Proudly Accessible Dubuque Community Loans were available. (3)

By 2010 over one hundred local businesses had completed the survey on the Proudly Accessible Dubuque website (http://www.proudlyaccessibledubuque.com) and were fully certified meaning they met the needs of anyone who wished to walk or wheel their way inside. The number of participating businesses had risen to over 300 by 2015. (4)

The survey was used to indicate problem areas for local businesses. These could be fixed with improvements including the installation of parking lots signs, new door hardware or moving temporary displays out of aisles. In addition to opportunities in collaboration with Proudly Accessible Dubuque, tax credits up to $5,000 and deductions up to $15,000 for business that took steps to make their establishment accessible were available. (5)

Claiming limited resources, the spokesperson for Proudly Accessible Dubuque said the organization was on "indefinite hiatus" until additional support was made available. In 2015 the City of Dubuque set aside $15,000 for contracted services from the organization and was prepared to provide $13,500 in fiscal year 2016. (6) In an editorial supporting the organization, the Telegraph Herald pointed to the many accomplishments of Proudly Accessible Dubuque through collaboration rather than confrontation. (7)

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Source:

1. Wilberding, Katrina. "Accessibility a Win-Win Proposition," Telegraph Herald, September 1, 2012, p. 4

2. Jacobson, Ben. "Proudly Accessible Dubuque on Hiatus," Telegraph Herald, March 20, 2015, p. 3

3. Wilberding

4. Jacobson

5. Wilberding

6. Jacobson

7. "Proudly Accessible Dubuque Good for Our Community," (Editorial), Telegraph Herald, March 23, 2015.