Project Chairman: Dan Shehan
Committee Members: Richard Graham, Tom Newcomer, Sandra Bath, Sher Blackwelder, Marty Foxx and Diane Davis.
Coastal Empire Polio Survivors Association published a Navigational Guide that maps out an accessible path from Bull Street to parks and historic sites for wheelchairs and scooters. The map was distributed to visitor centers, hotels, LIFE members, CEPSA members, and other special interest groups.
The polio survivors on this committee have personally made many trips through-out the Historic District of Savannah by scooter and car to map out the accessible path. We will be meeting with city officials to notify the city of the non-accessible areas, and any curb cuts that are in need of repair.
Dan Shehan was asked to serve on the disability council of Savannah and as disability awareness Chairman. A letter has been mailed to restaurants in the Historic District along with a stamped, self addressed response card to obtain accessible information from each restaurant. The letter clearly states that only restaurants that are accessible to people with a disability, will be published on the map.
First Edition – 2006
Front of map
Back of map
Click on Link Below to Read Newspaper Article and View Larger Image of Map (may take several minutes to download)
Where the sidewalks don’t end | SavannahNow.com
Second Edition – 2007
When Dan Shehan contacted the City Council they were so impressed by the positive attention the map brought to the lack of accessibility in the Historic District that they allocated over $200,000.00 to begin adding new curb cuts and needed repairs. That money allowed the city to add over 500 new curb cuts. As the first map’s popularity grew, more restaurants made their establishments accessible and asked to be included on the next edition of the map. The committee up-dated the map with the new curb cuts and redistributed the new version.
Third Edition – 2008
The following year the city added at least 500 more curb cuts at an additional cost of over $200,000.00. The committee included sponsors for the third edition of the map that completely paid the expenses and cost of copies and even more restaurants asked to be included on the map.
A Positive Approach to a Negative Problem
Coastal Empire Polio Survivors Association Savannah’s Historic District Navigational Guide for Scooter and Wheelchair Users
It was the vision of our Accessibility Chairman, Dan Shehan, the committee, and CEPSA not to come down on restaurants and the City of Savannah for their lack of accessibility, but to have a positive uplifting approach by using the map to encourage people to make their establishment accessible and to recognize those that did; to point out to the City Council the location of needed new curb cuts and sidewalk repairs, and at the same time, help disabled people safely tour our beautiful Historic District. CEPSA’s map is an ongoing success!
August 26, 2009
Mr. Bob Scanlon, Bureau Chief
City of Savannah Maintenance Facilities
Dear Mr. Scanlon,
Over the past several months I have encountered curbs that needed to be cut, and I would say to myself ” I need to call Bob to put these on his list.” But I would procrastinate and forget to call. Then a few weeks later while riding through town I would see the curbs cut or being cut. You must be reading my mind!
I noticed today that the curbs in front of the Savannah Theatre are being done. Your department is really on the ball! On behalf of the Coastal Empire Polio Survivors Association and the Savannah-Chatham Council on Disability Issues many thanks to you and your department for your continued commitment to removing these sidewalk barriers!
Sincerely,
Dan Shehan, Vice-Chairman
Savannah-Chatham Council on Disability Issues
Letter Received from the Marriott Riverfront Hotel, Savannah, GA
January 4, 2010
To Whom It May Concern:
As a professional concierge at the Marriott Riverfront Hotel, in the heart of Savannah, Georgia’s historic district, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to the Coastal Empire Polio Survivor’s Association for producing such a comprehensive map for use by visitors who rely upon scooters and wheelchairs for transportation!
I frequently encounter guests who must rely upon scooters and/or wheelchairs as they navigate the beautiful city of Savannah. Because of its old, historic buildings, accessing restaurants, antebellum mansions, shops, parks (squares), and museums can be challenging, to say the least.
My guests are always grateful for the excellent map highlighting suggested accessible locations and routes. This enables them to follow along; avoid hitting “dead ends”; and wasting precious time as they tour this lovely city.
Many of my associates, both here at the Marriott Riverfront Hotel, and in other city locations, also rely upon this excellent map to provide optimum service to locals and visitors in Savannah. Hopefully, this map will continue to be made available for use in the massive tourism industry in this historic city.
Sincerely Yours,
Karen A. Jacobs
Concierge
Marriott Riverfront Hotel
Savannah, Georgia