Mr. Robert Amado

Robert Amado, managing owner of the commercial building on Dempster Street between Chicago Avenue and Sherman Place, became the first commercial property owner in Evanston to install the BigBell system for each of his tenants' entryways, making the entire building accessible for customers who use wheelchairs or have other disabilities.

The building, like many other older buildings in Evanston, has a step-up entry, making accessibility difficult for those with disabilities.

While new construction must meet strict accessibility regulations for street-level entry, older buildings are only required to make "readily achievable" (i.e., cost-effective) changes to ensure accessibility. Though Mr. Amado said he knew he was not required to rebuild his tenants' entryways, he understood that giving all customers a chance to enter was the right thing to do.