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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, Nov. 12 ... Since You Asked: Patrol deputies don't have to go hands-free on the move ... Deputies find missing woman ... Emergency services, Nov. 12 ... Since You Asked: Patrol deputies don't have to go hands-free on the move ... Deputies find missing woman ... OUR VIEW Our View: Federal logic sometimes defies common sense MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 12, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Nov. 12, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Federal authority can be a good thing, when it's used to make sure tax dollars are serving the public good. Then there are those times when federal rules focus on "compliance" at the expense of common sense. That seems to be what's happening in the case of Medford's sidewalk ramps. The ramps — the curb cuts at street intersections that make it easier for the disabled to enter the crosswalk, especially in wheelchairs — are required under federal law, and the city receives federal money for street repairs. The Federal Highway Administration has told the city it must bring the ramps up to the latest standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act before it can apply new pavement to the affected streets. For Medford, that means an expense of up to $650,000 out of a street paving budget of $1 million to $1.5 million. Sidewalk ramps are crucially important for people with disabilities, especially those in wheelchairs. But here's the thing: The ramps already exist at many intersections, but they may not be fully compliant with ADA standards. Generally speaking, those ramps with a yellow rubber surface are compliant, while those without the rubber surface may not be. We assume the non-compliant ramps, while less than perfect, still provide greater access than curbs without ramps. There are many intersections that don't have ramps at all — and fewer of those will be fixed while the money is spent on bringing existing ramps up to compliance. If money needs to be spent on disabled access before paving, why not spend it to install ramps where they do not yet exist, and upgrade existing ramps later, as more money becomes available? If the issue is accessibility, surely it makes more sense to expand access to more locations than it is to make the access that already exists perfect. New pavement is also important. Cracks and potholes in street surfaces can also be difficult to navigate for persons with disabilities. This federal edict may result in upgraded ramps that will lead to streets in need of paving because the money had to be spent on making ramps compliant. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Nov. 12, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501