News & Events

Nine Building Updates Earn Executive Award

July 22, 2007

By Robyn Monaghan Special to the Herald News

It's not a hand-out. It's holding out a helping hand.

That's the philosophy that earned Will County Executive Larry Walsh the title of Accessibility Ambassador of the Year. He will be honored at an award presentation ceremony at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Will County Office Building.

"We're his biggest fans," said Chris Book, community relations director with Joliet's Accessible Cities Alliance. "He's taken up the torch and really come through for us," she said.

Before Walsh took the helm, U.S. Justice Department inspectors had reported widespread inaccessibility in Will County facilities, according to ACA information. Within two years, Walsh and the county board have waged a war on barriers, investing about $90,000 in massive renovations in county buildings.

"When I learned the county's buildings were deficient in a number of places, there was no question in my mind that this was something we were going to get accomplished," Walsh said.

Altogether, nine county buildings have been revamped to enhance accessibility to parking, building entrances, and bathrooms. Four courtrooms were renovated to accommodate wheelchairs for jurors and witnesses. The county board room is equipped with a wireless microphone, and TDD is on numerous phone systems. Drinking fountains and telephones were lowered.

Several floors of the state's attorneys office and the county-owned Sunny Hill nursing home all underwent massive remodeling to promote access. The county's next step is an elevator update, Walsh said.

"Sure, it comes with a cost, but when it comes to a choice, I always put need and responsibility before cost," Walsh said.

Walsh hasn't been touched by disability of a loved one or himself. But it's easy for him to imagine himself in a disabled person's place, he said.

"I can visualize what it would be like to be in a wheelchair and how difficult it would be to get it up over a curb," he said.

"I'm fortunate to be in a place that I can have a positive effect in giving just a little bit of extra help to make someone's life a little easier."

Accessibility is an issue whose time has come, Walsh said.

"With baby boomers becoming senior citizens, it's not just handicapped people who face obstacles," he said.

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