Federal and State laws require MCPS to provide program accessibility for all of its activities and to consider various forms of accessibility improvements at existing facilities on a continuing basis. While MCPS provides program accessibility in a manner consistent with current laws, a significant number of existing facilities not scheduled for a capital project in the current six-year CIP are at least partially inaccessible for a variety of disabling conditions. Some combination of elevators, wheelchair lifts, restroom modifications, and other site-specific improvements are required at many of these facilities. Since disabilities of eligible individuals must be considered on a case-by-case basis, additional modifications such as automatic door openers, access ramps, and curb cuts may be required on an ad hoc basis even in facilities previously considered accessible. The increased mainstreaming of special education students has contributed to modifications to existing facilities. Certain ADA modifications results in significant cost avoidance, since transportation may have to be provided for individuals to other venues or programs. On September 15, 2010, the Department of Justice approved revisions to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), that will require local and state government agencies to comply with theses revisions. An FY 2021 appropriation was approved to address the findings of a comprehensive accessibility evaluation of all MCPS schools conducted by an independent engineering firm over the past two years to assess facilities and collect data. Summarized tables of the data collected can be found on the Department of Facilities Management website. An FY 2022 appropriation was approved to continue this level of effort project. An FY 2023 appropriation was requested to continue this level of effort project; however, additional funding was requested in the first two years of the six-year plan to address the findings of the self-evaluation process required of state and local agencies to comply with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state regulations contained in the accessibility and related chapters of the Maryland Building Code. The appropriation request also will fund a new Facilities ADA Compliance Manager to manage the program, plan improvements, and the coordination of the projects. Due to fiscal constraints, the County Council, in the adopted FY2023-2028 CIP reduced expenditures in FY23 and FY24, therefore, the number of ADA projects will be reduced to align with approved expenditures. An FY 2024 appropriation was approved to continue this level of effort project. An FY 2025 appropriation was approved to continue this level of effort project and also for the planning, design and construction of accessibility modifications to remove existing barriers at Burning Tree ES. As part of the County Council approved FY2025-2030 CIP, additional expenditures were included in the out-years to reflect a level of effort funding through the six-year CIP.

Expenditures will continue indefinitely.

Advisory Committee for the Handicapped

FY 2025--Salaries and Wages: $103K, Fringe Benefits $26K, Workyears: 1, FY2026-2030--Salaries and Wages: $540, Fringe Benefits $138K, Workyears: 5