The City of Woodland is committed to being accessible to all people who live, work, and visit here. The City's Disability Services Program was established in 1991 to coordinate City compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA, which became law in 1990, is a civil rights legislation designed to extend protection to persons with disabilities. The City is fully aware of its responsibilities to the ADA and has designed a compliance strategy to achieve the goal of being an "accessible city."

ADA Actions Taken by the City

The ADA mandates all state and local governments to provide people with disabilities access to all programs, services and activities operated by these public entities. To comply with this mandate, the City has taken the following actions:

1. ADA Transition Plan - Developed to identify accessibility barriers where the City conducts programs, services and activities, including public rights-of-way for pedestrian ramps. The U.S. Department of Justice recognizes that public entities cannot remove physical barriers overnight. However, the Transition Plan, including an on-going barrier removal program, must be in place. This strategy constitutes a "good faith effort," required by the ADA.
2. Self-Evaluation and Complaint Process - A citywide task force developed a self-evaluation to determine the required modifications for the City's policies and programs. This task force, along with the City Citizens' Review Committee on ADA and Disability Issues, also developed a grievance procedure and complaint process.
3. City Council Policies - The City has a number of City Council policies to guide functions and establish procedures for issues dealing with disability services. They include: General Plan policy for People with Disabilities; the Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan; Audible Pedestrian Traffic Signals for the Blind, a policy setting forth factors to be used in evaluating an intersection for installation for audible devices; and Disabled Persons Parking Zones on City Streets, a policy setting forth guidelines for blue zones on City streets.