Berkeley: City To Be Honored As Most Accessible To Disabled

BERKELEY (BCN) -- The National Organization on Disability will honor the city of Berkeley this evening with its Most Accessible City in the U.S. award.

Berkeley is receiving the award, along with a check for $25,000, from NOD and the United Parcel Service at a public reception scheduled for 5 p.m. today at the Berkeley Senior Center.

The city is being honored for its focus on disability issues and successful design of programs, services and facilities that are accessible for people with disabilities. Berkeley created the country’s first universally designed affordable housing development, free and reduced-price accessible taxi services, and a self-imposed tax system that funds emergency attendant care and transportation services.

NOD also praised Berkeley’s planned Ed Roberts Campus, an accessible transit center that will open at the Bay Area Rapid Transit’s Ashby Station at the end of the year. The campus will also include disability services offices, advocacy organizations, accessible meeting rooms, a computer resource center, fitness center, and childcare center.

"As the birthplace of the disability civil rights movement, we in Berkeley could not be more honored to win the 2006 Accessible America Contest," Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates said in a written statement.

Bates thanked Berkeley citizens and city staffers "who continue to find new and innovative ways to enable everyone in our community to fully participate in civic and cultural life. We will use this award as an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to disability rights and access.

The North Berkeley Senior Center is located at 1901 Hearst St.