In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, also known as ADA.

The landmark law requires that new construction and renovated facilities be "accessible to and usable by" millions of Americans with disabilities.

State and federal agencies are paying increased attention to sidewalks, curb ramps, crosswalks and driveway approaches and requiring full compliance with ADA.

Professional engineers should carefully check their designs for sidewalks and other public rights-of-way to ensure they meet ADA regulations.

• Technical guidance is available on the Washington State Department of Transportation's website.
• The Washington State Department of Transportation provides an ADA Field Guide for Accessible Public Rights of Way (PDF) with useful design information.
• Additional information is available from the Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory Committee's final report.

Clark County Public Works has a one-page handout (PDF) that explains why the county rebuilds sidewalks on street corners prior to some road preservation projects.