Good evening.

The Village of Oak Park and The Oak Park Universal Access Commission is proud this evening to announce the winners of this year's Universal Access Awards. This is the fourth year that the Commission has selected buildings and sites that are especially deserving of note for being accessible to disabled persons and more accessible to every one of us.  It is appropriate that the award winners are announced during this week to coincide with the 11th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act into law, and also Accessibility Awareness Month in Oak Park.

The enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 11 years ago signaled a transformation in our Nation's public policies toward people with disabilities.  America is now a dramatically different -- and better -- country because of the ADA. We have begun to understand that "disability" in some way or another is a natural part of the human experience.  We are making changes, such as renovating and constructing public buildings to make them fully accessible, to ensure that people with disabilities are integrated into our communities and workplaces. And we have come to appreciate that people with disabilities are a key element -- and an untapped resource -- in sustaining our economic growth.

You may recall that last year the commission joined like-minded groups from throughout the United States in carrying a torch representing the spirit of the ADA across the country to celebrate the first decade of the existence of the national disability rights law.  Locally the Commission published a series of three articles - one on employment of persons with disabilities, one on local governments' responsibilities, and one on business owners' requirements.  This was done toward fulfilling the mission of the Universal Access Commission - a mission that you have assigned to us - to promote public awareness of accessibility concerns.  Quoting from the Oak Park Ordinance which established the commission:

The purpose of the Oak Park Universal Access Commission is to advise the Village in its efforts to facilitate full participation in community activities by its disabled residents, to bring disabled persons into the mainstream of Oak Park life by recognizing that disabled persons can lead proud and productive lives, and to sharpen public awareness.
 

Chapter 1 is a list of Accessibility Services Available in the Village of Oak Park

These range from those services provided by the Police and Fire Department, the Public Health Department, the Schools, the Park District, the Township and private organizations such as Unified Services Program and Family Service and Mental Health Center

Chapter 2 is a list of Accessible Places in Downtown Oak Park

Chapter 3 is a list of Accessible Places in the Avenue-Lake Plaza Shopping Area

Chapter 4 is a list of Accessible Restaurants in Oak Park

Chapter 5 is a list of Accessible Transportation Services available in the Village

Chapter 6 is a List of Universal Access Award Winners from 1998 to this year, 2001

Chapter 7 is an 800 Number Phone Directory of Services for Disabled Persons

Chapter 8 is an Accessibility Checklist for Existing Buildings which can be used by commercial business owners who may wish to do a self-assessment of their businesses

This Handbook will be made available here at Village Hall, at the Township Offices, in the Hospitals and Nursing Homes within the Village, in the Progress Center for Independent Living, at Holley Court and The Arms, at the Housing Center, in the Oaks and Ryan Farreley Apartments, and to individuals who ask to have a copy sent to them.   We hope you enjoy reading and can make use of this informative document.

Tonight, through our Awards program we also wish to call special attention to several recent projects that are noteworthy in advancing the cause of access in Oak Park by presenting their owners with the prestigious Universal Access Award.  These awards are representative of the progress that has been made in Oak Park over the past year in bringing the spirit of the ADA to our Village. They are intended to reward excellence in promoting that spirit, as well as serving as a model for others who may want to emulate the winners. The concept of "an award" for disability access is somewhat difficult for some of those in the disability community to easily accept.  Their feeling is, why should a building owner receive an award for doing what they should have done anyway?  Of course, we recognize that providing access is our collective responsibility.  Older communities such as Oak Park prove to be especially difficult to make accessible because most of their buildings and infrastructure were created more than fifty years ago, at a time when accessibility issues were not widely considered.  In fact, in the not-so-distant past public buildings were thought to be splendid and beautiful when they had a grand stairway leading to the entrance door.  Think of the old Chicago Public Library or the Field Museum.  Even as recently as five years ago when the new Museum of Contemporary Art was built in Chicago, it sported a broad and lofty grand stair leading to a main entrance at the second floor.  But attitudes are changing.  Most people, able-bodied and disabled alike, today use the so-called "handicapped" entrance to the Museum of Contemporary Art now, which is an afterthought tucked away in an obscure corner of the façade.  The grand stairs go unused.  There is a lesson there somewhere.  Although it is quite functional, we would not consider giving that building an award.  So, yes, we understand the annoyance at awarding good sense and even simple lawfulness. But, awards are given in many fields for high achievement, not simply achievement.  We expect and desire all movies, for instance, to be competently produced, but the Academy Awards gives recognition to those that raise the art above the norm.  It is in this same spirit that we make our awards tonight.

Our expert jurors for this year's selection were former Chair of the Committee on the Disabled Bob Dugal, Universal Access Commission member Gloria Townsend, and disability specialist Dr. Terrie Nolinske, who are all present in the audience this evening.

The awards are divided into three categories, Residential, Institutional, and Restaurants. This year for the first time, we have included two single-family residences.  The jury vigorously debated the notion of premiating single-family houses. After all, they are not public buildings.  If you or I wished to use their access, we cannot just walk in. But it was felt that these examples illustrate to others how they may be able to transform their own houses to be able to continue use them after they may become aged or infirm.  Oak Park contains mostly houses that are raised above the ground level three to four feet.  Kitchens and bathrooms are relatively small.  Yet our buildings are beautiful, the streets are lovely, and the community is inviting.  There is a way to also make our houses useful throughout oneâs entire life, as these cases will show.

The first Universal Access Award this evening in the Residential category goes to the Pam and Mark Compasio Residence, 131 South Ridgeland.  This fine 1890âs Victorian house on the northwest corner of Ridgeland and Pleasant is a de facto Oak Park landmark.  The thousands of people who drive by every day canât help but notice it.  The family has a young daughter, Christine, who uses an electric wheelchair.  The objective was to allow Christine to be dropped-off in inclement weather by the familyâs van with a wheelchair lift, a weatherproof entry to the house, vertical movement to all five levels via an elevator, complete wheelchair use of the kitchen and bathroom, and movement throughout all rooms of the house.  And, of course, do all of this without destroying the historic integrity of the building and grounds.  We think this was most successfully achieved.  An elevator was placed in back near the rear entry allowing immediate access under a covered breezeway.  The residential elevator was located inside a new tower designed to complement the existing and historic tower in front.  It was articulated with windows at the top to have the appearance of a real Victorian tower.  Automatic operators were installed on all doors to the elevator to allow independent use by Christine.  The kitchen sink and countertops were designed to be lower than typical with knee space under them.  The bathroom was enlarged to create a roll-in shower.  The bathroom lavatory was lowered to the proper height and provided with knee space under.  All doors were widened to allow passage of a wheelchair.  This remodeling project was the subject of a television program on the series New Spaces on HGTV.  The episode, which was aired several times on channel 54, documented the entire planning and construction process over a nine-month period.  Accepting the award on behalf of the Owner is Pam Compasio.  Accepting the award on behalf of the Contractor is Ed OâHarrow of OâHarrow Renovations.

The next award goes to Charlotte Rubinstein and Mike Salvati for the Rubinstein-Salvati Residence, 318 South Elmwood.  A casual view of this American Four-Square house from the street or even from the rear yard yields no clue to the enormous changes that have taken place inside.   But to the Owner, Charlotte Rubinstein, who is a wheelchair user, they are an enormous change for the better. A three-story family room and master bedroom addition was added in keeping with the style of the house, to the rear.  The addition encloses an elevator shaft, which provides access to all levels.  The elevator is an unusual design, as well, made necessary by the tight site conditions.  It has a door leading into it directly from the family room.  But the wall immediately adjacent to the entry door opens up entirely allowing passage by the wheelchair to the rear vestibule.  There are automatic operators on the elevator doors and a remote button to call the elevator to the ground level and automatically open the door from outside.  Other changes which were made to accommodate interior accessibility were the construction of a small accessible mini-kitchen and work area which is used by Charlotte, and an accessible exterior deck from the new family room.  The dining room was expanded to provide much needed space around the table by opening the room out into what was the enclosed front porch.  Accepting the award on behalf of the Owner is Joe Salvati, Charlotte and Mike's son.  Accepting the award on behalf of the architect is Jim Collins of Criterium-Collins.  Accepting the award on behalf of the contractor is Daniel Kearney, of Kearney Construction Company.

The next award goes to The Oaks, 114 South Humphrey.  This building is Owned and managed by the Oak Park Residence Corporation.  It contains 72 apartment units which are occupied primarily by elderly and disabled tenants.  The main entrance door is near the parking lot on the Humphrey Avenue side.  It has always been somewhat difficult to open this door by wheelchair users.  The owner has continually been making improvements to this building over time to make its usability easier for their disabled tenants and visitors.  This year they installed automatic door operators on both the inner and outer vestibule doors, making this building now completely and independently accessible.  These are some pictures of the interior atrium and cafeteria gathering space on the main floor.  For a building that was created by joining and remodeling two standard 1920's inaccessible apartment buildings several years ago, it is remarkable how beautiful, accessible, and functional it has become.  Accepting the award on behalf of the Oaks is Betty Hohmann, Program Director.

The next category is for Institutional Buildings.

The first award in the Institutional category goes to the Oak Park Temple 1235 North Harlem.  The multi-floored Temple was built in 1954.  It is a beautiful masterpiece by the well-known Chicago architect Walter Sobel.  It perfectly represents the spirit of the era in which it was built.  Unfortunately, as in most buildings built in the 1950's, accessibility issues were little considered.  However, access to the various levels and rooms in the building and even to the high Bima itself in the main sanctuary has been a goal that the congregation has been attempting to achieve for the past several years.  This year the congregation has completed a new educational and administrative wing that has cleverly allowed insertion of an elevator to all levels and accessible rest rooms while seamlessly maintaining and even enhancing the original architectural design.  The architects for this remodeling and addition, Matt and Phil Kupritz of K2 Architects, installed a ramp at the front of the building from the parking lot to the main entrance door, wrapping around the angled front prow.  The sides of the ramp are clad with the same Lannon stone used on the facade, making it seem like it was part of Mr. Sobelâs original design.  A new ramp leading to the Bima in the sanctuary is blended pleasingly into the 1950s well-preserved interior decor.  Entrance to the rear educational wing is by a gentle ramp down to the lower level or another ramp up to the main floor of the addition.  Like Harry Weeseâs ramp at Village Hall, this ramp at the Oak Park Temple becomes a major architectural feature of the façade, and is not hidden shamefully in the corner.  It celebrates access, as we do so tonight.  Accepting the award on behalf of the Oak Park Temple is Gary Wainer, President of the Congregation.

The next awards in the Institutional category go to the District 97 School Board for two projects.  The first is for is for major accessibility improvements to Oliver Wendell Holmes elementary school, 508 North Kenilworth.  As many of you know, elementary schools in Oak Park are all accessible to the first floor.  Children who need wheelchair accessibility to upper level classrooms of their local schools historically have been transferred to Holmes school, which was the only school in the district with an elevator.  For years, parents and advocates for disabled persons have complained that Holmesâ elevator was not designed for independent operation by children.  It was a converted freight elevator with controls too high for reach from a childâs wheelchair.  This remodeling project corrected that problem and several others as well.  A new passenger elevator was integrated into the structure with easily operated controls, which is available for use by students or visitors.  A new lunchroom was constructed using existing space within the building.  Because it is on a lower level, to allow for proper headroom, a ramp was created at its entrance, another one to provide an emergency exit, and a beautiful sunken accessible courtyard was built alongside the cafeteria to allow for eating lunch outside in nice weather.

The second project undertaken by District 97 this year was an ambitious and thorough remodeling of Washington Irving School, 1125 South Cuyler.  The intention was to make the entire school and playground accessible, so that parents of children who use wheelchairs have a choice as to whether to send their child to Holmes or perhaps a school closer to where they live. The successful completion of this project now gives Oak Park two fully accessible public elementary schools, one on the north side and one on the south side of town.  The features integrated into this project are numerous.  Because the building was built from the 1920s over time by accretion, floors do not line up throughout.  First floor is more than 2 feet above the ground level.  A new ramp was constructed at the northeast entrance allowing children to have a close connection to the playground.  A new passenger elevator connects all floor levels. New accessible restrooms were built for boys and girls.  A new accessible classroom was created on the second floor.  Fire safety for wheelchair users was also considered.  An area of rescue assistance was built into the existing stairs on each level, which allows a child who cannot exit quickly from the building to be safely protected during an emergency and easily and quickly evacuated by trained fire department personnel.  A smoke evacuation system was designed to protect the area of rescue assistance from filling up with smoke.  Call buttons and communication systems were installed in this space.  A ramp was constructed from the main floor of the middle building to the gymnasium on the south end of the building.  A vertical platform lift was installed to allow access to the lunchroom. The playground on the north end of the site was enhanced to provide several activities which could be experienced by a child in a wheelchair.  There is a transfer platform at the sand area, and a ramped play element with several possible accessible activities and a slide along the way up.  Accepting the award on behalf of District 97 for Holmes School and Irving School remodeling projects is Dr. John Fagan, District 97 Superintendent.

The next category is for Restaurants that have been made accessible during the last year.

The first award in the Restaurant category goes to Quizno's Classic Subs, 1148A Westgate.  Although relatively small, the restaurant is fully accessible from the entrance door to the generous travel space to the service counter, to the low service counters, and accessible restrooms.  This restaurant makes an important addition to the accessible culinary fare of downtown Oak Park.   Accepting the award on behalf of Quiznoâs Classic Subs is Mark Reddrick.

The next award goes to the Daily Grind Cyber Café.  This unique gathering place in downtown is more than a restaurant.  It is both coffee shop and communications center for patrons who are able use the multitude of computers set up within the space for surfing the Internet or sending email.  The location of the restaurant is ideally placed in downtown so that it in effect becomes like a grand central station for workers, commuters, tourists, and shoppers.   The Owners are very hospitable to the disabled population of Oak Park and extend a welcome to all those in need of their ãfacilities.ä   Since the coffee roasting restaurant and store was created originally as Java Joans more than ten years ago, it has always had one heavily used single-person restroom.  To comply with both the spirit and letter of the ADA, the Owners of the Daily Grind have added an additional restroom, and now have one accessible restroom for men and one for women.  Both are more discreetly located within a hallway at the rear of the restaurant.  Accepting the award for the Daily Grind is Becky Corpuz, Owner.

The next award goes to Cosi, 1101 West Lake Street at the fabulously active corner of Lake and Marion in Downtown Oak Park.  This establishment brings a dash of class to our dowdy downtown.  Everything is designed to be universally accessible from the sidewalk tables, the accommodating entrances, to spacious and home-like interior seating areas, the low service counters, and the highly ornamented and very large accessible restrooms. We spoke to the national manager last week about their receiving this award.  He was delighted to be told about the award.  He told us how excited he was that the restaurant was "finally" open in Oak Park and said that he expected it to be a great success.  Accepting the award for Cosi is Scott Dalton, Manager.

The next award in the restaurant category goes to Panda Express Gourmet Chinese Food, 1030 Lake Street, just west of the Lake Theater.  The Owners have totally transformed what was Aliotoâs into a cafeteria-style Chinese restaurant.  The front door is easy to open; the interior is spacious and uncluttered for easily accessing the low service counters.  New restrooms were installed in a very accessible location. Accepting the award for the Panda Express is Ken Lieu, Owner.
 

That concludes our formal presentation.  Congratulations to all of the winners.  Oak Park is richer because of the work of these individuals and institutions.  We hope that this yearâs awards will be a learning tool and a stimulus to other building owners. The Village of Oak Park has long been an advocate for universal access, and continues to live up to its desire to be a village friendly to disabled persons and accessible to all.

Now I would like to invite all of the award winners and their supporters to join the committee in refreshments and continue the Celebration of Disability Awareness in the lounge next door.