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Milwaukee County ADA Transition Plan

Reserved Parking sign

Milwaukee County is committed to making all programs, services, and facilities accessible to people with disabilities. This plan explains what the County is doing to find accessibility barriers, fix them, and make sure everyone can use County services.

OPD KPI Comparison

June, July, August 2026

Community Outreach & Engagement

  • Outreach Contacts

    • June: 10 outreach contacts

    • July: 11 outreach contacts

    • August: 14 outreach contacts 

    • Trend: Steady growth; August shows a 40% increase over June.

  • Presentations Delivered:

    • June: 3

    • July: 4

    • August: 5 

    • Trend: Increasing departmental and community engagement.

Accessibility Requests & Issue Resolution

  • Total Requests:

    • June: 29

    • July: 25

    • August: 33 

    • Trend: August saw the highest volume, likely due to summer programming and facility use.

  • Routine Resolution Time:

    • June: 8 business days

    • July: 8 business days

    • August: 7 business days 

    • Trend: Slight improvement in August.

  • Moderate Resolution Time:

    • June: 24 days

    • July: 23 days

    • August: 19 days 

    • Trend: Strong improvement; August showed the fastest turnaround.

  • Completion Within Expected Timeframes:

    • June: 91%

    • July: 76%

    • August: 82% 

    • Trend: Rebounded after July’s dip.

Summary

KPI Area June July August Trend
Outreach Contacts 9 11 14 ⬆️ Increasing
Presentations 2 4 5 ⬆️ Strong growth
Accessibility Requests 24 29 33 ⬆️ Rising demand
Routine Resolution Time 10 days 8 days 7 days ⬇️ Improving
ADA Facility Evaluations 4 6 8 ⬆️ Accelerating
Staff Trained 22 38 57 ⬆️ High growth
Recreation Attendance 182 205 238 ⬆️ Increasing
Accessibility Compliance 94% 96% 97% ⬆️ Stable improvement

 

1. Purpose of the Plan

This ADA Transition Plan shows:

  • What accessibility barriers exist
  • How Milwaukee County will remove them
  • Who is responsible for the work
  • When improvements will happen

The plan helps the County meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensures equal access for all residents.

 

2. ADA

Milwaukee County’s Office for Persons with Disabilities (OPD):

  • Help departments follow ADA rules
  • Responds to accessibility concerns
  • Supports residents who need accommodations
  • Coordinates countywide accessibility improvements

Learn more about the ADA 

 

3. Public Notice

Milwaukee County will share information with the public about:

  • ADA rights
  • How to request accommodations
  • How to report accessibility issues

This information will be posted on the County website and shared through departments and community partners.

Explore public notice requirements

 

4. ADA Grievance Procedure

Milwaukee County has a simple process for people to file ADA complaints. The process ensures:

  • Complaints are reviewed
  • Responses are documented
  • Appeals are available

This helps the County track issues and improve accessibility.

See grievance procedure basics 

 

5. Self‑Evaluation

Milwaukee County will review all programs, services, and facilities to identify barriers. This includes:

  • County buildings
  • Parks and recreation sites
  • Sidewalks and curb ramps
  • Transit stops

Websites and digital services

The County will document:

  • What is already accessible
  • What needs improvement
  • Which departments are responsible

Learn about self‑evaluation steps

 

6. Transition Plan (Barrier Removal Plan)

For each barrier found, the County will list:

  • What needs to be fixed
  • How it will be fixed
  • Estimated cost
  • Timeline
  • Responsible department

This creates a clear plan for improving accessibility across the County.

Milwaukee County Architecture, Engineering & Environmental Services

 

7. Design Standards

Milwaukee County will use ADA and state accessibility standards when designing or renovating facilities. Departments will receive guidance to ensure:

  • Accessible routes
  • Proper restroom layouts
  • Correct signage
  • Communication supports (interpreters, captioning, alternative formats)

Learn about ADA design standards 

 

8. Implementation & Budget

Accessibility improvements will be included in:

  • Annual capital budgets
  • Facility renovation projects
  • Road and sidewalk resurfacing programs

Work will continue each year until barriers are removed, based on available resources.

Milwaukee County Facilities Management Planning & Development

 

9. Monitoring Progress

Milwaukee County will:

  • Track completed projects
  • Update the Transition Plan regularly
  • Share progress with the public
  • Adjust priorities as needed

This ensures transparency and accountability.

Milwaukee County Facilities Management

 

10. Community Engagement

Milwaukee County will work with:

  • Disability advocacy groups
  • Municipal partners
  • Residents with disabilities
  • County departments

Community input helps identify barriers and improve solutions.

Explore community engagement strategies for the City of Milwaukee 

Accessibility Complaint/Feedback Form Milwaukee County

 

11. Contact Information

Residents can request accommodations or report accessibility issues through the online accessibility request form.

Office for Persons with Disabilities Phone: 414‑239‑5679

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/DHHS/Disabilities-Services/Office-for-Persons-with-Disabilities/ADA

 

12. Community Feedback

Milwaukee County values community feedback as a critical component of advancing accessibility. Public input is collected through community meetings, ADA listening sessions, surveys, focus groups, and direct communication with the Office for Persons with Disabilities. Feedback is documented and reviewed regularly to help shape priorities, identify barriers, and inform accessibility improvements. The County remains committed to maintaining transparent communication and encouraging ongoing public participation.

ADA Transition Plan in the News

A different kind of second chance: Inside Milwaukee's new youth correctional facility

Entrance of Southeast Regional Care Center for Youth

TMJ4 - Oct. 14, 2026

Governor Tony Evers tours Wisconsin's new $65.6 million juvenile correctional facility, where a counselor and a therapist hope their own life experiences can help young people find a different path.

The Federal Government is Backing Away from a Decades-Old Disability Rights Promise

Elaine Wilson and Lois Curtis

The 19th News - Oct. 7, 2026

More than 25 years ago, Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson won a victory that gave people with disabilities the freedom to choose where they live. That legacy is now under threat.

 

Supervisors Authorize $851 Million Courthouse Project

Conceptual rendering of new courthouse and historic courthouse with new entrance on MacArthur Square

Urban Milwaukee - Oct. 2, 2026

The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors voted Thursday to authorize a debt issuance for the development of a new $851 million criminal courthouse. . . .

[Sup. Shawn] Rolland took the floor to argue the project is actually the fiscally sound move for the county, and one that will bring ADA-complaint accessibility to every floor of the courthouse.