Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Shapiro Administration announced the launch of an accessibility study aimed at improving access and mobility for individuals with disabilities throughout the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex.
Undertaken as part of Executive Order 2024-01, signed by Governor Josh Shapiro in May to enhance the competitiveness of the Commonwealth’s workforce, the Department of General Services (DGS) is leading the study that will identify and suggest actions to improve access and mobility throughout the five core buildings of the Capitol Complex: Pennsylvania State Capitol, East Wing, North Office Building, K. Leroy Irvis Office Building, and Matthew J. Ryan Legislative Office Building.
B. Voith & Mactavish Architects, a DGS-certified small diverse business, is conducting the study, which is expected to be completed by spring 2025.
“I believe there should be no wrong door for accessing state government, and that includes making our Capitol Complex a more accessible place for Pennsylvanians to visit and work in,” said Governor Shapiro. “The Capitol Complex is a place where all Pennsylvanians should be able to visit and see their government in action, working to deliver results for them. This important study is the first step in making that a reality and will allow state government to create a more inclusive workplace, showing once again that we respect the diverse backgrounds of Pennsylvanians from all across the Commonwealth.”
Various agencies, commissions, and stakeholder groups will be engaged in the study to help provide a list of improvements that meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, have a reasonable chance of receiving historic structural adaptation approvals, and can be prioritized according to stakeholder importance for future construction projects.
The study will focus on providing the public with reasonable accommodation to access and use the core Capitol Complex buildings. It will evaluate improvements to public accessibility starting from site arrival points and continuing to primary function areas. This includes — but is not limited to — parking areas, streets, and sidewalks at the exterior of buildings, and elements such as exterior access to the buildings, hallways and corridors, signage, counter heights, and restrooms inside the buildings.
“Whether it's opening contracting opportunities to historically disenfranchised business owners or improving access to Commonwealth buildings and facilities, inclusivity is a priority of the Shapiro-Davis Administration,” said DGS Secretary Reggie McNeil. “The accessibility study aims to thoroughly identify and address accessibility issues at the Capitol Complex. By using a multidisciplinary approach, it will explore various strategies to enhance accessibility and mobility. The results will help us develop a phased plan to improve accessibility while preserving the historical integrity of the Capitol Complex."
DGS strives to build a welcoming and inviting space at the Capitol Complex and all state-owned facilities for all Pennsylvanians, employees, visitors, and guests. Ensuring that the Capitol Complex has accessible options to its facilities is a crucial part of creating a welcoming space.
The recommendations adopted from the accessibility study will build on significant ADA-compliant updates DGS has already made or plans to make at the Capitol Complex. During the past 10 years, significant ADA updates across the Capitol Complex have included:
Installation of single-use, fully accessible restrooms throughout the East Wing of the Capitol Building.
Addition of fully accessible restrooms throughout the North Office Building.
Installation of new, accessible elevators throughout the K. Leroy Irvis Office Building.
Construction of raised and accessible crosswalks throughout the Capitol Complex.
Implementation of wayfinding lobby monitors in the five core buildings of the Capitol Complex.
During the next year, DGS will also install a 20-person passenger elevator in the East Wing of the Capitol Building, serving as the primary ADA elevator for guests.
For information about accessibility at the Capitol Complex, visit the Pennsylvania Capitol accessibility services webpage.