ADA Transition Plan

I think a pivot to focus more on pedestrian traffic instead of car traffic would help make the downtown area safer and more accessible. A designated bike lane with a green buffer and wider sidewalks with better ramps would make pedestrians, those in wheel chairs, and bikers feel safer. Buffers between pedestrian areas add a level of protection and promote biking over driving. Yes I agree we need to provide parking and better designated parking spaces for disabled folks, I don't think we should get rid of car traffic, but minimizing it would allow for a safer and more picturesque environment that can cater to those in chairs and/or with disabilities better. Also, a designated beach access with a maintained traversable ramp and the life guard at that location trained to help people with their chair rental and potentially with transfer if that doesn't affect liability, etc. Maybe a more permanent walk at that location that goes further onto to the beach, like made of wood?

1. I would like to see the beach mats (blue mats) be extended all the way to the water so I can get closer to the water in my wheelchair
2. Possibly make one of the entrances more flat or not a steep incline to get on the beach
3. More options in beach wheelchairs. Some may not be able to get into such a high chair off the ground. Beach wheelchairs should be available in early morning

1- Restaurants and the post office need to be held more accountable. Event with downstairs seating in a restaurant they would not accommodate us.
2- Beach mats are great but not on a very steep incline and they do not go down on the beach far enough. There are areas on the east coast where they go all the way to the water. Get rid of steep inclines at all entrances. It's ridiculous even for those that are not disabled. All entrances should be ADA compatible. Why should I have to go to the most crowded area?
3- We have scooter spaces and Lifeguard spaces in the first spots on each street. BOTH are able bodied. We need a handicapped spot or two on each street at the boardwalk.
4- I love that we have wheelchairs available. I would like to see a different check out system. Supply a credit card for check out, get a code, and pick up and drop off at your leisure. A 4:30 drop off is not inclusive at all. I would even pay a weekly fee to have access full day/full week access.
5- Mats that run parallel to the coast so that people can walk on the beach wheelchairs are easier to maneuver to where they need to go.

Thank you for bringing this to the forefront. I have been an advocate for years and am happy to see the small changes we have seen over the last few years.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that towns also provide access to people with disabilities who use mobility aids other than wheelchairs, please keep that in mind. You need more ADA parking spaces on the ocean block for those with limited mobility using an aid other than a wheelchair.

Have designated ADA benches for disabled persons with limited mobility that use an aid other than a wheelchair. These persons often need to sit after 10 - 15 minutes of walking.

Enforcement of vehicles parked in ADA spaces display proper authorization and clamp down on drivers who use those spaces to pick up / drop off or other “quick” use excuses when they do not not have a disabled placard or license plate.

Ensure that the public programs, services, and activities you provide are accessible to people with disabilities. Add signage that directs people with disabilities to accessible features.

Need adequate beach ramps that don't have a steep drop off at the end (like they do at Deauville Beach). Such drop offs make it impossible for disabled and/or elderly to access the beach without having multiple people to help (which isn't always feasible)

You asked for feed back on beach wheelchairs. I often work in the info kiosk and have found that we there do not have clear direction on how the public can borrow/reserve/use the beach wheelchairs. Can you give us a pamphlet with complete directions? We are usually trying to contact lifeguards and they don't always have the facts as to where the public should go.

RB needs better ADA access ramps on to the beach itself and ramps should be spread out throughout the RB Boardwalk. Currently, there is only one true ADA Ramp at Maryland Ave. Ideally and possibly legal, there should be two more ADA access ramps on RB. In addition, at the ADA ramp locations, ramps that are placed on the sand (not ADA ramps) should not isolate People with Disabilities at the back of the beach area. Those ramps should jet out closer towards the high tide part of the beach. That way People with Disabilities are integrated with everyone else enjoying beautiful Rehoboth Beach.

We are residents of RB (across Rt 1, not downtown). My husband is paralyzed. His power wheelchair should not come in contact with sand, so we use a lightweight mobility chair to go to the beach. I struggle to push his mobility wheelchair over the uneven bumps of the blue mats provided to get to the end of the mat, which often does not extend much past the fence (except in the one location, where there is NEVER parking). So he could sit at the end of the mat basically. Some mats are better than others, but condition, level of incline & evenness of sand beneath really matter if pushing a wheelchair -- it would be nice to have a guide on which ones work for individuals before disembarking with the wheelchair. The beach wheelchairs, while a lovely community gesture, cannot be reserved ahead or taken very far, so parking matters. Beach wheelchairs mean the wheelchair-ee is left behind so the caregiver can track down a lifeguard who can find a key to the right location of the wheelchairs (took a little trying here, a few employees 'not sure'). Once found, the beach wheelchairs are impossibly high to transfer a paralyzed person into, and after I found a smaller one that I could get him into, that one was very difficult to push in the sand. No one offered help, which I understand - it's not their problem. But it was awkward to have a very fit yet unengaged lifeguard just observe us fumbling around moving all the beach chairs to figure it out. The worst was pushing him BACK uphill in the sand, then having to go find another lifeguard again with the key, and then wait 1/2 hour to make the return. In blazing heat. My wheelchair-bound husband's solution? He never went to the beach again the rest of the summer. (Can I insert a Sad Face Emoji?)
Here is what I think might be useful to others: ON YOUR WEBSITE (which one? let us know!) publish a Rehoboth Beach ADA MAP showing the EXACT location, length and incline of the mats, or photos of each one so people understand what works best for them. Show locations of all Handicap Parking spots. Publish a phone number one could call to reserve a beach wheelchair 30 mins IN ADVANCE so someone can meet us there, and then again meet us to return it. Number the beach wheel chairs and photograph them, so you can reserve the one you want.
More imaginatively, it would be wonderful to just have a PLACE where "wheelchairs-only" could park themselves on a wide ramped elevated "boardwalk" , where they could SEE the waves and feel the breeze, they could watch the dolphins and birds. Something set among the dunes, located where there is better accessible parking and a smooth access (the north end?), like a very wide square U-shape for easy on and off, and good viewing spots for 8-10 wheelchairs. Maybe a purpose built hole to plunk in an inexpensive small umbrella, or provide them as you enter. And make it clear it's WHEELCHAIRS ONLY, as people/kids forget their boundaries. The only current place he can see the ocean that I know of is at the State Beach/Big Chill where he can use the elevated boardwalk (or the Lewis pier). For caregivers, it would mean I could take a Beachwalk with still him in my sight, or our family could run back and forth to see him and wave from the beach. Just my dreaming here, that beach life could be 'accessible' for someone who cannot use his arms or legs. Thanks!

We are residents in downtown and have an adult child whose only way to get around is in a motorized wheelchair. She is unable to navigate over curbs, around obstacles on sidewalks. Her chair is over 350lbs without her in it so lifting it is not an option. Driving through sharp stone or muddy pathways usually will result in her chair being stuck endangering her as well as those working to get it unstuck.
We walk throughout town regularly and get frustrated by areas we can not traverse due to obstacles, lack of access, etc even when it is clear there was an attempt to make access, in some cases the access was designed without consulting anyone who has to use the access.
Things that are done right
1. Curb cut outs at corners/intersections has improved in the quantity of them as well as the quality-With each street scape update this should be a priority.
2. The flat no curb sidewalk access from the Ada parking spots at the boardwalk end of Laurel are exactly what Rehoboth should be doing when designing new street scapes. These make it much safer for someone to move from their vehicle to the sidewalk, minimizing the time spent traveling within traffic lanes locating a curb cut out.
3. Beach access - the city continues to add more access using money mats etc. Making access closer to the water and more options for shade on the beach for those using the mats since umbrellas can not be placed into the mats should be looked at.

Areas the City of Rehoboth Beach can become more ADA friendly:
1. Better enforcement of those who do not display a disabled placard and park in ADA parking spots. Along with this should be clear marking of ADA spots. Many will use these spots with a “ borrowed” placard because they believe they don’t have to pay for parking in them. Signage to make it clear these spots are not free.
2. Many sidewalks are narrow, and uneven making it difficult to traverse them in a wheelchair/ or anything with wheels. Some examples of roads include Wilmington, Baltimore, First Street, Bayard/second Street
3. Better enforcement of and removal of sidewalk obstacles such as landscaping, including tree pruning, overgrown hedges, construction materials, and businesses using permanent or semi permanent items to extend their outdoor space that impede the ability of someone in a wheelchair to pass by safely. Some examples include over grown pine on First street, low hanging and intruding pine ocean block of St Lawrence, utility pole with a5G antenna box on the corner of King Charles/First Street and Delaware sidewalk
4. With all of the construction in town, many of the sidewalks particularly at the driveway access are impassable due to broken or removed sidewalks, or “temporary” stone put down lasting upwards of 9-12 months. Additionally, bumper over hang into the sidewalk from driveways forces all pedestrian traffic unsafely into the road ways, the wheelchair user must remain in the roadway until the next curb cutout. There should be some kind of temporary sidewalk coverage that maintains the sidewalk as passable, cars and trucks parked with sidewalk overhang should be ticketed and any site blocking sidewalk access with materials, trash or portapotties ( doors should open opposite side of the side walk facing the site )should be cited with fines.
5. The timers on the crosswalk signs need to be extended to allow a wheelchair user more time to cross. Additionally, in the busier months, no right turn on red signs should be used and enforced at the main intersections entering and exiting Rehoboth Avenue. Drivers can see an adult walking easier than a person in a wheelchair. If this is already done- than enforcement needs to occur- as right turns on red are occurring regularly.
6. Rehoboth Avenue and the Bandstand area- while this past summer the police department improved the dangerous situation when people parked in this block were exiting during bandstand performances, there continues to be people who back up into the crowd to exit, disregarding the large posted sign. Suggested signage at the parking spots and ticketing for anyone disregarding the signs may eleviate this. Additionally, adding flat no curb access to the bandstand seating area along with a designated ADA seating area will greatly improve safety and the experience of a wheelchair user and their companions.
7. There are many streets in Rehoboth that do not have sidewalks at all and pose a safety risk to all pedestrians. As well as cyclists since pedestrians cyclists and vehicles are all traveling in the same space and combatting parked cars. A survey can be conducted and then a strategic plan completed to add sidewalks and where space is avaialable also bike lanes. Top priorities should be heavily travelled roads such as Henelopen Ave. Other Examples are the roads around Grove Park especially on Farmer’s Market days but other days as well, Christian street between the Bellmoor Hotel and the senior center, Columbia street
8. There are several locations in downtown where water draining from air conditioning units or roof drain spots travels across the sidewalk or pools in the sidewalk. As it drains across impervious surfaces it is collecting oils, discarded food items and other trash which is then driven through by a wheelchair. Drains should be set to go under the sidewalk or away from the sidewalks. In the summer this water is a muddy smelly trashy mess and in the winter it is an icy hazard. A few locations where this is an issue are on Olive, Wilmington and Baltimore it it is not just limited to these locations.
9. ADA needs to be considered when the city is planning snow removal as well. During the current snow storm sidewalk and road clearing was completed but there were many corner curb cut outs that the snow was piled in front of blocking access.
10. While the city is headed in a better direction with the addition of Mobi mats to make beach access available, access to beach wheel chairs extending the hours prior to 9:00am and past 5:00pm and have these chairs available at more beach access points should help to provide beach access to all at times when a stroll down the beach is preferred in the evening to baking in the sun mid day.
11. When the city is looking to design ADA changes or construction requirements the city should offer the changes to be looked at by wheelchair users to provide input on materials, designs locations etc. Doing this in advance of final design plans should have avoided the poor planning and installation of the additional ADA ramps late last year in front of and near Browseabouts. Those ramps resulted in pedestrian injuries when first completed as well as additional expenses to add handrails.
12. Public Restroom access- the restrooms at the bandstand are barely accessible, especially if there is a line ( always in the ladies room) there is not enough room in the doorway for a line going in and people to exit through. A wheelchair can not get through without dismantling the whole line. Once inside they can not access to sinks faucets, paper towels and the hand dryer placement is along the wall where people wait for a stall. The 1 “accessible” stall is all the way past all other stalls and while the door swings in , once a wheelchair user is in the stall there is not enough room to move their chair enough to close and secure the door. The additional public restrooms have issues as well primarily with the stall size , location in the facility and access to sinks, soaps and hand dryers as well as faucet types. ( suggest wave access type faucets and driers. Many times throughout the summer months these aspects of the public restrooms are in disrepair, including soap dispensers, hand driers and faucets. As these items fail and are being replaced the city should be looking to replace them with materials and equipment that provide better accessibility. Access to other public bathrooms in City buildings should also be looked at- and doors and other items should be retrofitted for better access.
13. Lighting along any street aside from Rehoboth Avenue is poor. Drivers can’t see pedestrians at dusk or later. Additionally there needs to be additional lighting added to the southern end of the boardwalk.
14. We love that Rehoboth Beach is such a dog friendly city. Unfortunately, not all dog owners are respectful of others using public spaces and dog stool left on sidewalks and the boardwalk ipresents issues for all pedestrians but in particularly those in wheelchairs. When some one steps in it their shoe can be removed and sprayed off with a hose. When a wheel chair rolls through it, it gets into the treads of the wheels and mechanics of the chair. The person in the chair will have to be transferred out to remove the stool. Increased signage on picking up after your dog, with penalties ( including bag stations) as well as ticketing those who do not clean up.

We appreciate you asking the questions here however as stated in #11 above, when designing spaces, indoor or outdoor, installing new materials or equipment or replacement of current streetscapes, sidewalks, crosswalks curbing and other public facilities, the City should always consider the optimum not the bare minimum, with a few choices. They should also take these ideas to those people who need access adjusted so that they can provide real life experience input before any purchases or installations are completed.
Thank you for your time. Feel free to reach out with any needed clarification or input.

Lorrie

I am a person with a disability. I am a bilateral below the knee amputee. I can walk using prosthetic legs and a cane for balance. The sidewalks on Baltimore Avenue between 1st and 2nd streets are extraordinarily difficult for me to navigate. The sidewalks are uneven, and driveway slopes are steep.
If Baltimore Avenue were to be made a one way street, the sidewalks could be widened making them safer for everyone.

I have a few thoughts having had difficulties getting my elderly mother around town when she was alive.

#1) By wheelchair: Get a wheelchair and try pushing an adult three blocks on one of the backstreet sidewalks. Have your test subjects both push and be pushed. They will quickly find how difficult and uncomfortable it can be to get a loved one to or from the beach.

#2) Benches are wonderful for elderly folks as it gives them increased range since they have places to sit and rest as they move along.

#3) increase handicapped parking spots, especially in "sweet spots" frequented by seniors. An excellent example is the last dune access north of the Henlopen Condo. Seniors often sit there in the evenings. They need more parking just for them.

I am visiting the city of Baltimore for a few weeks, and have been out about town to various eateries. All bathrooms have handrails on the side of commodes to allow for easy access for standing up and transferring. I think many Rehoboth bathrooms do not have these. I would encourage them to be installed.
Joseph Anastasio

As a deaf person, adequate lighting on the sidewalks is a must!
Any audio recordings should include captions for deaf people.
No communication barriers for deaf people. I suggest you get a deaf person to actively get involved with your ongoing projects. Inbox me if you are interested in getting a deaf person involved with your projects.

I drive by sometimes for work, more than recreational. I dislike going by during summers due to congestion and how dangerous it can be for pedestrians as I am always on the alert for hidden surprises.

Widening sidewalks and leveling them for wheelchairs (even strollers) is a start. Bike paths would alleviate some of the crowds - I see them but more bike paths would help move people out of the way. Businesses should be more aware or compliant in leaving more room for wheelchairs to pass by - it isn't cool if anyone on wheels has to detour somehow.

Previous comments noted shortage of handicapped parking which is accurate. More bussing may help somewhat but more handicapped spaces are definitely needed. Even more access ramps from parking areas are needed to improve safety so those on wheels don't rely on roads much. The kiosks issue should be considered - more locations and information on mobile payments (no QR codes due to spam/hacks as people can put up fake QR links over the real ones). Gotta remember the older people too.

Beach access needs improving at all main junctures. Even the back roads don't really have sidewalks or clear paths. Good drainage systems would help. These back roads can help alleviate congestion then adding more accessible beach points would help.

Lighting is another issue as a number of areas are covered well with trees which creates a safety risk. As a deaf person, we have to be mindful of where to step and for any unwanted surprises (like robberies).

As one noted, access ramps should not be covered in snow, ice, debris year round as too many detour around them year round. This relates to my drainage concern earlier too.

Widening the main entrance has helped over the years, but the older stores/sections in the back by the beach are still outdated. Sidewalks should be level without big bumps for people tripping over or wheel issues. Potholes should be quickly addressed year round, not just during the tourism seasons. That has improved in the main paths, but I do see some bumps on the side roads.

ADA access is not just for disabled folks but everyone even mothers, elderly people, etc. Even my grandmother loved the beaches but access was difficult back then so having more of those special beach ramps will help.

While considering all of this. Be mindful of any new growth/expansions and leave more traveling space to allow growth over time. The northern side has more space for sidewalks and accessibility features than the south side does which complicates designing growth. The same is true for all main 'arteries' to ensure good flow so that they don't back into Route 1

The city has implemented several positive measures:
- Installation of Mobi-Mats at beach access points, providing easier access for wheelchairs, strollers, and walkers.
- Availability of beach wheelchairs during the summer season.
- Provision of ADA parking spaces throughout the city.
- Recent installation of new ADA-compliant ramps on Rehoboth Avenue.

However, to further improve accessibility and accommodate those with disabilities, the city could consider the following suggestions:
- Increase the number of beach access mats and wheelchair beach chairs.
- Widen sidewalks where possible to ensure ample space for wheelchair users and pedestrians.
- Improve the design and placement of ADA-compliant ramps to avoid narrowing sidewalks excessively.
- Ensure all curb ramps are properly designed and maintained for smooth transitions.
- Install more audible pedestrian signals at crosswalks for visually impaired individuals.
- Create a comprehensive map of accessible routes and facilities throughout the city.
- Implement regular accessibility audits to identify and address barriers promptly

Work with post office to make accessible.
Require new construction to have handicap accessible doors
Provide map of handicap accessible businesses and restaurants

Rehoboth Beach is my favorite beach. I have walking and dexterity issues. The beach is a place of solace for me that I enjoy regularly. Beach and parking accessibility are important!

cut pathways after snow removal so you can access the sidewalk mid block, where the parking spaces are!!

cut pathways after snow removal so you can access the sidewalk mid block, where the parking spaces are!!

When restaurants have sidewalk seating, the areas often become inaccessible for those in wheelchairs or scooters.