Disability Policy Office

Larry Labiak, Disability Policy Officer

Accessible Facilities |  Special Recreation Programs | Reasonable Accommodations | Anaphylaxis Policy | ComplianceADA Complaint Reporting Procedure


Department Overview

The Disability Policy Office oversees Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Illinois Accessibility Code/Chicago Building Code compliance initiatives and guides the Park District’s efforts to create a fully accessible park system. It plays an integral role in the prioritization of ADA capital projects and identifying ways to improve accessibility to facilities. The Disability Policy Office also advises all departments on the development and implementation of policies and programs inclusive of patrons with disabilities.


ADA Survey

We want your feedback!  
The Chicago Park District strives to ensure that information about accessibility in the parks is readily available to patrons with disabilities and their families. Toward that goal, we invite you to share your thoughts and opinions by completing a brief survey regarding accessibility information at the Chicago Park District.  The survey will take less than 5 minutes to complete. Be assured that all answers will be kept confidential and that the only purpose of our asking is to provide better service to all park patrons. Thank you in advance for your participation. 

Take Our ADA Survey
 

Accessible Facilities

The Chicago Park District is committed to making its facilities accessible to and usable by all patrons and visitors. This commitment is ongoing, proactive, and intended to meet the needs of a diversity of individuals with disabilities.

Recent entrance and bathroom modifications at multiple field houses have enhanced access for wheelchair users and others with mobility limitations.

More than 150 revamped playgrounds all provide an accessible soft surface base and play elements that meet or exceed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) minimum standards.

All swimming pools either have a portable lift, easy access stairs, a zero-depth ramp, or a combination of these amenities.

More than 40 fieldhouses feature fitness centers with at least two pieces of wheelchair-accessible fitness equipment, and the Douglass Park Fitness Center is outfitted with a majority of wheelchair user-friendly equipment.

Out on the lakefront, 16 of 31 Chicago beaches have an accessible beach walk. These "walkways over the sand" allow all patrons young or old, with or without a physical disability or mobility limitation, to stroll all the way to the water's edge with ease.

Two wheelchair-accessible softball/baseball fields offer youth and adults with disabilities the opportunity to actively participate in "America's pastime". On the North Side, Cubs Care Field at California Park (3843 N. California Ave.) is home to two adult wheelchair softball teams and the Buddy Baseball program for elementary school youth with and without disabilities. On the South Side, the White Sox Fields complex at Mt. Greenwood Park (3724 W. 111th St.) features a youth-sized, soft surface field in an integrated setting with two grass softball fields.

The Park District's first fully accessible community garden was completed in 2008 at Chase Park (4701 N. Ashland Ave.). The all-raised planting beds design provides any gardener easy access to the soil. The 14 beds and the entire surrounding ground surface were constructed with recycled plastic timbers to provide both accessibility and an environment-friendly "green" space.  The recently completed community garden at Gage Park (2415 W. 55th Street), also features raised planting beds.

In addition to the accessible facilities and improvements listed above, the Chicago Park District is in the midst of a major ADA capital improvement plan which will provide substantial barrier removal and accessibility upgrades to 35 buildings and amenities at 26 more parks across the City.

The Chicago Park District ADA Transition Plan documents are available for review upon request. Please email accessibility@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
 

Special Recreation Programs

Staffed Special Recreation programs and events are offered throughout the year at more than 20 parks across the city. A wide variety of programs are available to meet the varied needs and desires of individuals within and across disability groups. Providing options is our goal, so patrons can choose between and among mainstream and Special Recreation program offerings such as adaptive sports (beep baseball, sled hockey, wheelchair softball, sailing, Boccia), camps (special recreation day camp, sports camp, Camp Sign for Deaf and Hard of Hearing), social clubs and Special Olympics programs.

View a listing of Special Recreation programs currently available.

For more information on our special recreation programs, call (312) 742-5798 or email specialrecreation@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
 

Reasonable Accommodations

The Chicago Park District is committed to promoting positive participation and a quality experience by providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities upon request. To request the accommodations listed below, click on the related links or contact us at accessibility@chicagoparkdistrict.com or (312) 742-4298. 

When requesting accommodations, please contact us at least one week prior to the date these services/items are needed (minimum 72 hours advance notice for sign language interpreter requests).
 

Anaphylaxis Policy

For information on the Anaphylaxis Policy and how to make a request for the emergency administration of Epinephrine (Epi-Pen), go here.

 

Compliance

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Chicago Park District does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment or admission/access to programs and activities.
 

ADA Complaint Reporting Procedure for Patrons and Visitors

Go here for more information about the Chicago Park District's procedures for reporting an ADA complaint.

If you experience problems with the accessibility of our website, please contact us at accessibility@chicagoparkdistrict.com or (312) 742-4298.


 

Documents

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inclusion policy.pdf325.19 KB 325.19 KB