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BACKGROUND 2010 marked the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a landmark law that was designed to prohibit under specified circumstances discrimination based on disability. The ADA requires, among other provisions, the use of curb ramps between sidewalks and streets to accommodate the use of wheelchairs and other devices by persons with disabilities. However, the introduction of curb ramps created an unintended problem for visually impaired persons, as it removed the distinct curb border between sidewalks and streets. This made it difficult if not impossible for the visually impaired to determine the end of the sidewalk and the beginning of the street. The solution to this problem was the introduction of "detectable warnings" at all curb ramps. For many years, detectable warning plates were made from concrete, paving bricks, cast iron, or stainless steel. These materials, while meeting American Disability Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) initial requirements, had several problems including corrosion, weight & transportability, durability and cost. The latter introduction of polymer material has allowed detectable plate manufacturers to produce extremely durable but lightweight plates. In addition to their durability and lighter weight (compared to concrete, cast iron, and stainless steel), plates made from polymer provide highly wear resistant (important for high- traffic pedestrian areas), fire resistant, UV and fade resistant, impervious to water, and available in a wide variety of colors. In addition ADA guidelines have evolved and the US Access Board was given specific charge by the American Disability Act adopted in 1990 to perform research, develop standards and aid Cities and Counties in bringing accessibility for all to their communities. In 2004 the US Access Board published ADA guidelines for developed areas and in 2005 published ADA guidelines for public rights -of -way. The current guidelines for developed areas were signed into law in July and will take affect in March of 2011. It is expected the published ADA guidelines for public right of way will follow a similar schedule and be adopted as a standard in 2012. The City would meet these requirements with the use of the already installed federal yellow warnings. DISCUSSION Detectable warning surfaces come in a variety of colors such as yellow, black, charcoal grey, red brick or even custom colors. Recently questions have been raised about the color selection of federal yellow and the fact that they are generally unattractive and incompatible with surrounding landscaping and hardscape. However, one of the primary purposes of a warning device is that it stands out and be visibly perceptible by the visual impaired at distances of 30 feet or greater. The visibility of the detectable warnings is primarily dependent on the detectable warning color selection contrasting with the adjacent materials in which they are placed. Primarily, detectable warnings in the "Public Right -of Way" are set in grey concrete adjacent to grey asphaltic pavement and therefore the color selection of federal yellow provides the greatest color contrast and clearly meets the visibility required. City staff met with members of the ADA community in order to get feedback about their preferences on this matter and it was determined that the federal yellow polymer surface was the preferred selection when installed at standard intersections with asphalt and cement concrete pavement. Based on a review of the situation, staff concurs that the federal yellow color polymer provides Page 2 of 3