Citizens for Safety advisory committee aims to improve conditions for residents with disabilities

An awareness campaign focusing on improvements being made to increase Nevada's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act is under way.

Citizens for Safety is an ADA Advisory Committee appointed by the Nevada City Manager in late 2005 to help the city improve compliance with the requirements of the 1991 civil rights legislation. During their September meeting the committee created a highly visible awareness campaign. "Making Nevada a safer, more accessible community" is designed to make the city, businesses and local residents more aware of ADA requirements by publicly recognizing improvements that have been made in the community.

The first of those awards was presented recently to the Sonic Drive-In in Nevada. Sonic was commended for the wide sidewalks with curb ramps that were installed at the restaurant's new location on East Austin to make the location accessible to all forms of mobility.

The committee hopes that the awareness created by the positive promotional campaign will create awareness of ADA issues regarding mobility and safety throughout the community.

Sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, parking spaces, curb ramps and obstacles that interfere with those areas pose the major compliance concerns. Citizens for Safety encourages businesses and individuals to report areas that have been improved as well as those that need improvement.

Anyone wishing to make a recommendation for future certificates of appreciation can send information including the location and type of improvement to Citizens for Safety, PO Box A, Nevada, MO 64772.