In February, SDOT was joined by staff members from King County Metro to meet with a group of students at Seattle University to discuss accessibility of transit services as well as our public sidewalks and right-of-way for students with disabilities. It was a great opportunity to listen to the students ask questions and to express their concerns.
While King County Metro has their own responsibilities to make their busses and transit facilities accessible to people with disabilities, SDOT works to help make sidewalks and pedestrian connections to those facilities accessible, too. It is important to understand the needs of our pedestrians and our passengers alike, and it was very interesting to hear not only the questions but the recommendations that the students were willing to provide.
Pedestrian Access from Public Sidewalks to Transit Facilities is Key
The students noted that there are numerous challenges getting around campus and to transit facilities. It was noted that there may be a need for the University to assess private walkways where they are located out of the public right-of-way, but further coordination between SDOT and Seattle University may needed. Some of the students had concerns of being visible to bus drivers and streetcar operators as well as boarding the vehicles safely. Other questions focused around construction and the provision of temporary routes in and around areas on campus.
King County Metro, SDOT, and Seattle University Working Together
SDOT welcomes any opportunity to work with institutions like Seattle University or any other group that is willing to share to discuss concerns pertaining to accessibility within the public right-of-way. This interest in not limited to groups representing people with disabilities. Elderly pedestrians, pedestrians with particular abilities or needs, or anyone interested in sharing with SDOT should be comfortable in doing so, whether a group or an individual.
If you have any questions about accessibility within the Seattle public right-of-way, we encourage you contact SDOT’s ADA Coordinator, Michael Shaw. He can be reached at (206) 615-1974 or by email at Michael.Shaw@seattle.gov.