The Town of Newtown has implemented an accessibility project, which includes access audits and development of a transition plan to comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The project is funded by Western Connecticut Council of Governments (WestCOG).

The primary purpose of the survey is to gather accessibility preferences from community members impacted by disability. Survey responses will inform the Town of Newtown of access priorities for facilities and parks and will be used to help organize improvement efforts.

All responses will remain anonymous. The survey can be found at surveymonkey.com/r/newtownada.

Those who choose to participate will be asked if they or anyone in their daily life has a disability. Those who respond No have an opportunity to submit feedback.

For those who respond Yes to the initial question, the survey continues with additional questions regarding Town facilities and parks, ratings of the facilities visited most often, and whether any barriers have been experienced while visiting a Town facility or park (and the opportunity to describe said barrier).

For those who continue, the survey asks what should be prioritized, including “the basics,” like parking entries and restrooms; site features such as exercise equipment, sports fields, and other options; location distribution and accessibility upgrades; the most frequently visited sites; and recreation facilities (library, teen center, community center).

Those who continue with the additional questions are asked for their age and then given a final opportunity to submit additional comments or feedback.

The survey will remain active until October 23.

WestCOG retained the W-T Group (WTG) Accessibility Practice in 2024 to develop transition plans for facilities and parks within its communities, as required by the ADA. A transition plan identifies access barriers, and phases the retrofit work over time.