CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Curb cuts in Marshalltown will help disabled people navigate streets and sidewalks easier.

Accessibility to buildings, curbs, steps and more does not usually cross the mind of anyone who is ambulatory, but what about Marshalltown residents who use canes, crutches, walkers and wheelchairs to take care of everyday tasks?

A visit to the Iowa Veterans Home, where many of its 500 residents use wheelchairs, makes anyone appreciate how effectively IVH accommodates their needs with curb cuts, wide hallways and more.

That is why the city of Marshalltown hired consulting firm Bolton & Menk to complete a self-evaluation and an Americans with Disability Act Transition Plan for the community.

“We will be using this new data as we review a number of future projects, and we will be keeping track of where new sidewalks, curb ramps or other improvements have been made,” City Administrator Jessica Kinser said. “We want to ensure that we communicate why we are doing a project and be able to show progress towards what is a very big workload.”

Kinser is the city’s ADA Coordinator.

Much of the work took place in 2019, with interns from Bolton & Menk evaluating existing sidewalk conditions as well as curb ramps, bus stops, traffic signals and more.

All of this information is available in a draft ADA Transition Plan which can be accessed at https://www.marshalltown-ia.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=644.

The draft plan will be open for public comment until Feb. 21, and is likely to go to the city council for debate and possible approval Feb. 24.

Once approved, this is not a plan that will sit on a shelf.

Anyone with concerns or grievances should contact her at 641-754-5799, or jkinser@marshalltown-ia.gov or by mail or in person at 24 N. Center St., Marshalltown, Iowa 50158.