The city of Jacksonville may have to make thousands of changes to its parks and government buildings in response to a Department of Justice review of the city's compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A draft copy of the settlement agreement being worked out between the city and federal government lists more than 2,000 items not in compliance.

Some of the violations were as simple as a lack of signage about handicapped facilities Some involved wheelchair ramps and other limitations of access to city facilities.

For Jerry Jones, gets around Jacksonville in a wheelchair, says things are that bad until you have to use the restroom, especially at the downtown library.
"Restrooms are terrible," Jones says. "You just can't get into them. There are very few places that have access in this town."

That's just one example cited by federal inspectors after looking at city buildings, facilities and parks to see if they met federal standards for accessibility.

DOCUMENT: Department of Justice Settlement Agreement with City of Jacksonville

Jacksonville's General Counsel Cindy Laquidara says while there are many violations listed its not as bad as it seems.

 "The number of violations and the nature of the alleged violations are actually minor."

Laquidara says. "When you do the math, with 400 buildings, you are talking things like the location of a light switch to whether a water fountain is two inches off."

The list covers many area like the stadium where it will require a large access for wheelchair seating.

At the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, restrooms are cited.  The report says handrails are blocked by tissue dispensers and towel disposers stick out too far into walkways.

Jacksonville Sun's owner Peter Bragan says he thinks inspectors are getting too picky.

"I think  these checkers came around and marked every little piddly thing they could mark," Bragan said. "But in reality, I don't think you will find people who had trouble getting around from the ballpark."

No price tag has been mentioned for making the needed repairs.  Some fixes may just require only a sign pointing to an accessible area. 

City Councilman Bill Bishop says this should not be a problem for the city.
"A lot of this is very minor and very easy to fix," Bishop said. "A lot of it is unintentional.  Some of it even gets down to interpretations."