Audit Objective 

Assess whether City of New Rochelle (City) officials could take additional steps to increase physical accessibility to programs and services provided at selected City facilities.

Key Findings 

Of the 895 applicable physical accessibility components (components) we reviewed, we identified 171 components (19 percent) where City officials could consider taking additional steps to increase physical accessibility at selected City facilities. Specifically: 

• 97 components at City Hall, such as signs identifying van accessible parking spaces, properly sloped access ramps, interior doorways with an operating width of at least 32 inches and wheelchair accessible lavatories in restrooms.
• 38 components at the Senior Center, such as accessible parking spaces with signs and marked access aisles, interior signs with raised lettering and Braille and interior doors with accessible hardware that does not require grasping or twisting.
• 20 components at the Police/Court Facility, such as elevator doors that reopen automatically when obstructed by an object or person and restroom soap dispensers and hand dryers mounted at an accessible height.
• 16 components at the Fire Department Headquarters, such as access ramps with railings on both sides and mats with secured edges at the main entrance.

Recommendation 

City officials should assess the feasibility of taking additional steps to increase physical accessibility for the 171 components identified in this report.

City officials agreed with our findings and indicated they plan to initiate corrective action.