July 26, 2024, marked the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a pivotal law ensuring equal rights and accessible public spaces for individuals with disabilities. This legislation has been instrumental in advancing accessibility, but there’s more work to be done, especially in communities like ours. For example, despite the ADA’s promises, buildings constructed before 1990—like those in Spanish Springs Square—are often considered “exempt” because of high modification costs and structural limitations.
Last week, my friend Kevin and I attended two District meetings in The Villages to request greater support for accessibility in public spaces. Kevin, who has faced his own challenges accessing local buildings, has also witnessed others struggle with limited access. He even met with Laurie Mark from Villages Commercial Property Management to address these issues, but securing support has been challenging. To ease entry, Kevin generously provided wireless doorbells to several businesses, but many have been reluctant to install them due to leasing limitations.
Determined to make a difference, we shared our concerns at District meetings. At the District 6 gathering, board members were particularly receptive. The co-chair, Peter, suggested a unified approach: a letter signed by all District Chairs advocating to Commercial Property Management for improved accessibility. This collective request would underscore the importance of accessibility for our entire community, from residents to visitors.
Our journey shows how critical accessibility still is, and why it’s time for our communities to prioritize full inclusion. We’ll keep attending meetings and advocating for this cause until we see meaningful changes.
We urge you to get involved – to share your concerns and lend your voice to make The Villages a more inclusive and accessible community for everyone. Thank you for your support in making accessibility a priority.
We’ve made it easy for you with a 3 step process:.
- Copy the text below, by clicking the copy-to-clipboard icon to the right of it,
- Click here to go to the Community Development Districts Contact us webpage.
- Complete the contact form
- Select Americans with Disabilities Act from the Category drop-down list,
- Enter your Name, Street Address, Phone and Email,
- Paste your copied text into the Question/Concern area,
(You can edit the message as you like before submitting the form) - Complete the I’m not a robot reCAPTCHA,
- Click the SUBMIT button.
I hope this letter finds you well. Residents are requesting accessibility to businesses. We are writing to request review and installation of automatic door actuators to enhance accessibility for individuals with physical disabilities. As you may be aware, door actuators are an important feature that allow easier access for people with mobility challenges, especially those who use wheelchairs, walkers, or have limited strength.
Installing these devices on commonly used doors would make the property more inclusive, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of physical ability, can navigate the premises comfortably. This modification would also help the property comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines, which aim to remove barriers and provide equal access to all.
We kindly ask that you consider this request from our residents, and they would be happy to discuss any details or provide further information on the specific needs of the individuals this would benefit. Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter.
Looking forward to your response.
