Make an ADA request

ADA General Information

The City of Seattle strives to make city programs, services, and activities equally accessible to all. Features such as curb ramps, ramps, sidewalks, detectable warnings and street crossings are components of an accessible pedestrian network. The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) prioritizes accessibility improvements to the pedestrian network using the Pedestrian Master Plan and as required by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulation 28 C.F.R. § 35.150(d)(2) to provide access to city services and facilities. For general ADA compliance questions within the Seattle public right-of-way, contact the SDOT ADA Program at (206) 684-7623. To request accommodation for a disability to provide you with access to a program, service, and/or activity, contact the City of Seattle ADA Coordinator at (206) 684-2489 or visit the City of Seattle ADA webpage. 

Also available is the Seattle Accessible Route Planner. This map is intended to help people plan routes using City of Seattle curb ramps and sidewalks.

Make an ADA Request

SDOT's ADA Program is responsible for the planning, design, and implementation of infrastructure improvements requested by the public to enable those living with disabilities equivalent access to Seattle pedestrian facilities. These improvements include curb ramps, accessible pedestrian signals (APS), and new technology evaluations.

Accessibility improvement requests can be made by individuals living with disabilities or those who directly care for individuals living with disabilities. The program is not intended to address community concerns other than access for people with disabilities. ADA requests are logged and scheduled for improvements in the order in which they are received. These requests can be submitted through the City of Seattle Customer Service Bureau, by contacting SDOT by phone toll-free at (833) 414-5871, by email or standard mail, or by using the SDOT ADA Request webpage. Accessible format request forms are also available and are identified below. Although there is no limit on the number of requests an individual can make, each request form should identify ramps located in no more than two intersections. This requirement allows SDOT to provide accessibility improvements to a greater number of people in need.

It should be noted that any ADA request made is subject to additional prioritization considerations as determined by SDOT, as well as the availability of funding. Some requests for improvements may be deferred if they are found to be infeasible due to existing infrastructure or other limiting constraints. Requestors will be notified if it is found that a request is a duplicate, it will be covered by future capital projects, or if improvements are not feasible.

In some cases, additional information must be obtained from the requestor to log or otherwise fulfill the request. If the SDOT ADA Program seeks additional information from the requestor and a response is not received within 30 days of the request, the customer service request will be closed with no further action taken by SDOT. 

Curb Ramps

Curb ramps are sloped transitions from the sidewalk down to the crosswalk, which facilitate increased accessibility, particularly for those with limited mobility. Curb ramp design and construction includes a ramp with a detectable warning surface, landings, and necessary sidewalk transitions and (minor) utility modifications.

Customer Requests

SDOT will install curb ramps when requested by qualified individuals with disabilities at locations not otherwise scheduled for improvement. The program is not intended to address community concerns other than access for people with disabilities. To request a curb ramp, contact the SDOT ADA Program by email, call at (206) 684-7623, or complete this ADA Request Form. Although there is no limit on the number of requests an individual can make, each request form should identify ramps located in no more than two intersections. This requirement allows SDOT to provide accessibility improvements to a greater number of people in need.

SDOT prioritizes requests for curb ramps and scopes, designs, and constructs these ramps within one year from the date the request is received, pending available funding and the number of requests received each year. The process for intake of curb ramp requests is as follows:

• Curb ramp request information will be entered into the SDOT ADA Program tracking log, including the requestor’s name and contact information (when provided), the date of the request, and the location(s) requested.
• Within 15 days of the request, the requestor will be notified that the information has been received. A curb ramp request number will be assigned and will be provided to the requestor at the time of the response.
• Within 30 days of the request, the SDOT ADA Program will investigate the request to determine the full scope of work required to fulfill the request as well as any other obligations that may be required as a result of the proposed improvements. The requestor will be notified of the estimated date of completion (installation) of the curb ramp(s) requested.
• If it is determined that the requested curb ramp(s) is not able to be constructed to meet the current design standards due to significant existing physical constraints or any other limitations, the requestor will be notified that the requested improvements either cannot be made or will be made to the maximum extent feasible.
• Requests for curb ramp installations or improvements that are already scheduled as a part of a prior customer service request or another known upcoming project will proceed as planned. The requestor will be informed of the estimated installation date. If the previously planned curb ramp installations or improvements are scheduled beyond 18 months of the request, the SDOT ADA Program may inquire whether earlier delivery of the customer service request improvement is possible.

All curb ramp requests are prioritized in the order that they are received. SDOT is committed to constructing a minimum of 150 curb ramps resulting from customer service requests each year.

Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS)

An Accessible Pedestrian Signal is a pedestrian push button that produces an audible signal and vibration to indicate when it is safe to cross the street. Such devices can be helpful to people who are visually or hearing impaired. Requests for APS may only be made at locations where there are existing traffic signals. To request an Accessible Pedestrian Signal, contact the SDOT ADA Program by email, call at (206) 684-7623, or complete this ADA Request Form.

New Technology Evaluations

Let us know if you have would like SDOT to explore new technologies that would make our pedestrian facilities more accessible. Contact the SDOT ADA Program by email, call at (206) 684-7623, or complete this ADA Request Form.

Current Accessibility and ADA Compliance Efforts

(as of May 9, 2018)

SDOT is involved in a many initiatives and efforts to provide improved accessibility and inclusion within the public right-of-way. Some of these efforts are ongoing and will continue from one year to the next. Other efforts may be custom designed, involve community outreach, or may be well beyond the typical SDOT obligations as defined by Title II of the ADA. SDOT constructs or improves existing curb ramps within the public right-of-way as a part of several different programs, most notably larger capital projects and street resurfacing projects. Curb ramp work is also included as a part of SDOT's Safe Routes to School Program, the Pedestrian Master Plan improvements, Neighborhood Park and Street Fund Improvements, as well as private development projects and utility work. SDOT engineers strive to design and build curb ramps to best serve all pedestrians. This can be very challenging given the topography in Seattle as well as any existing built infrastructure such as utilities, areaways, or other conflicts. When larger projects include roadway reconstruction and modifications to channelization, SDOT looks for opportunities to make pedestrians more visible and to shorten street crossings by using curb bulbs or other measures. These efforts can help to make street crossings easier and safer for all pedestrians, particularly those with disabilities. Traffic signal improvements occur that include the installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS), which provide important information to pedestrians with visual and/or hearing impairments. Many SDOT projects include sidewalk installation or replacement of older sidewalks. These new sidewalks can make use much easier for people with disabilities and those using mobility assistive devices.

Check out our Seattle Sidewalk Accessibility Guide, the go-to page for understanding our sidewalks and how to help make Seattle a safer, more accessible city.

Additional Details

Note: Documents in alternative formats may be requested if they are not currently in an accessible format using screen-reader or other technology.