This page provides technical guidance for ADA compliance within public rights-of-way. For more general information on Portland's resources for ADA Title II and disability equity, go to the Office of Equity & Human Rights' ADA Resources page here.
Curb ramp request form
Would you like to see an ADA-compliant curb ramp installed somewhere? Fill out our form linked below:
Curb Ramp Request Program 2.0 Form
Frequently used forms
PBOT ADA Program - Annual reports
Curb ramp design and construction criteria
City Engineer directives
Curb ramp scoping
The ADA requires that when a project constructs a new pedestrian facility (e.g. a new sidewalk or ped-push button), resurfaces a portion of the street, or performs other alterations, the project must provide ADA Compliant curb ramps along the route as part of the project.
Coordinated designs on ODOT/PBOT streets - Letters of intent
FAQ
What is CREEC and what is the ADA Ramps Crew?
- CREEC stands for the Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center. The city worked with CREEC and Linda Dardarian (Goldstein, Borgen, Dardarian & Ho) to obtain a Settlement Agreement for constructing or remediating 1,500 curb ramps per year over a period of twelve years (2019-2030), along with other ADA efforts, to make Portland a more accessible city. The ADA Ramps Crew (formerly known as the CREEC Squad) is the group within PBOT that verifies that each ramp constructed or remediated meets requirements.
My project was scoped and funded years ago and did not include ADA curb ramp upgrades. Are there opportunities for additional funding and design support?
- The ADA requires that curb ramps be constructed and upgraded as part of the public improvement project (or paving effort). For older projects that were not scoped to meet ADA requirements, the ADA Ramps Crew is available to provide guidance to ensure that the project is ADA compliant to the maximum extent feasible within the scope of the project and, in some cases, may be able to provide additional funding for adding more ADA ramps to the project. For more information contact the PBOT ADA Ramps Crew at: adaramps@portlandoregon.gov
Can the ADA Ramps Crew design a curb ramp for me, or assess the scope, and/or inspect a city project?
- Yes. Tag, complete, and submit the form for the type of request. Expect a follow-up from the ADA Ramps Crew within five business days .
How can I request a curb ramp?
- Go the ADA Curb Ramp Request Form (also linked above).
Can I contact ADA Technical Advisory Committee members for assistance?
Yes. Find appropriate contact below:
- Chris Wier, P.E., ADA Technical Advisors Committee Lead (Permit Engineering - Review)
- Jason Grassman, P.E. (Civil Engineering and Drafting)
- Mary Wiser, P.E. (Permit Engineering - Support and Inspection)
- Tim Doherty P.E. (Maintenance Operations)
- Carlos Hernandez, P.E. (Traffic Engineering)
- Raphael Haou, P.E., (ADA Ramps Crew)
- Tom Bennett, P.E. (Signals and Street Lighting)
- Eva Huntsinger, JD, P.E. (CREEC Program Lead)
What if a ramp does not entirely reside in the legal crosswalk?
For a ramp with a ramp throat at the street that does not entirely reside within a legal crosswalk (marked or unmarked), approval by an ADA Technical Advisor is required. This element of the ramp must be noted on the ADA Curb Ramp Design Form (Item II. C) and the form signed by an ADA Technical Advisor. Additionally, if the ramp is located more than 20 feet from the curb face/edge of travel lane of the parallel street, written support from the Traffic Engineer must be attached or otherwise incorporated into the Ramp Design Form.
What are ADA variances and maximum extents possible (MEFs) and how are they used?
Variances and maximum extents possible (MEFs) are the approvals needed when a proposed design does not meet all the criteria given in the Curb Ramp Design Report. Open the link below for a full explanation describing when a Variance is needed and when a MEF is needed and how to get them. If you have any questions, just ask a PBOT ADA Technical Advisor.