VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Beach leaders are working on improving accessibility when it comes to the Resort City.
Over the next three years, Virginia Beach crews will improve upon the city's sidewalks, ramps, curb cuts and points of access for those who have disabilities.
It's part of an ongoing plan to make all facilities more open to veterans, as the city is teaming up with the Department of Justice to make this possible.
"Veterans access is a DOJ initiative that concentrates on municipalities that have a high concentration of veterans, and the initiatives are all about opening barriers by increasing accessibility for them," said RJ Mattes, American with Disabilities Act Coordinator for Virginia Beach.
The Veterans Access Initiative works with communities that have large populations of veterans with disabilities to ensure they have equal access to local government programs, services and facilities. Virginia Beach, which is home to more than 55,000 veterans, was selected for collaboration in 2018.
“Virginia Beach is committed to eliminating barriers for all residents, and especially our military veterans, who have contributed so much to our country and our community,” said City Manager Patrick Duhaney. “Over the next several years, we ask city staff, residents and visitors to work with us as we increase access to the world-class services the City offers.”
Across Virginia Beach, more than 8% of the entire population has a disability. Mattes said these improvements will make accessibility easier for them and for everyone in Virginia Beach.
"Our population is at the forefront in our thoughts about removing barriers, we want to make the city, the city's services, the city's facilities accessible to everyone - people of all abilities so this will concentrate on everyone," said Mattes.
The project is expected to last three years, and some construction is expected in the future.