The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is making strides to improve accessibility across the city's public rights of way. In its latest annual report, PBOT has laid out the advancements it has made under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II Public Right of Way Transition Plan for 2023. Posted on March 29, the report is mandated by a 2021 City Council Resolution, requiring annual updates on ADA compliance efforts.

Major highlights from the annual report, as posted on Portland's official government website, include the construction or remediation, of 1,314 curb ramps as well as the addition of over 70 accessible parking spaces to the city's transit system. Despite these improvements, the bureau confesses that the actual extent of work completed is likely understated due to still-developing data collection methods and they aim to deliver more detailed reports in the future.

Community engagement also played a pivotal role in PBOT's efforts for the past year. The report emphasizes the importance of soliciting feedback from community members with disabilities, stating, "It is very important to have their input on the bureau's work to ensure compliant elements are also the most usable." Furthermore, the document notes that other transportation improvements have been made that, while not strictly required by the ADA, serve to promote safer pedestrian movement, often to the benefit of individuals with disabilities.

According to the report, which is also available in multiple languages including Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Russian, PBOT has worked diligently to meet ADA standards and openly acknowledges the shortcomings in their current data collection.