Barrier Free Loan & Grant Program

Offered through the Housing and Community Development Department, there are barrier free loans and grants for residents with physical, visual, or hearing disabilities to set up accommodations at their residence for their disability. Eligibility requirements and further information may be found by calling 727-893-7247.

Braille or Large Print

To request a document in an alternate format including Braille or large print, please contact Lendel Bright at lendel.bright@stpete.org. Requests should include: requester’s contact information, the material needed, the name of the event or program and the name and sponsoring department of the event. For documents in Braille, please allow two weeks for processing. For documents in large print, please allow one week for processing. Documents can be sent by e-mail for users of screen-readers.

Captioning of City Council Meetings

City Council Meetings are captioned to accommodate people with hearing impairments. To find out more about the City Council meetings, call 727-893-7117.

Emergency Preparedness

Evacuation assistance is offered to help local residents with special needs. Residents MUST register before services are needed. Get an evacuation assistance application or learn more about the program by calling 727-551-3822.

Florida 2-1-1

Florida 2-1-1 is a free, confidential service that connects Floridians with local community-based organizations across the state offering thousands of different programs and services. Dial 2-1-1 from any cell phone and most landlines to be connected. The 2-1-1 local number is 727-210-4211. 

Neighborhood Team (N-Team)

The Neighborhood Team, or N-Team, is staffed by City employees who, along with volunteers, assist people in need and improve the community. Free home improvement services are available to St. Pete homeowners who are elderly, disabled, or low-income. Learn more by visiting the Neighborhood Improvement page.

Sign Language Interpreting Services

The City will provide sign language interpreter services, including American Sign Language, Pidgin Signed English, Oral Interpreting, Cued Speech, Tactile Interpreting, and Certified Deaf interpreting upon request. Requests should be made to the program sponsoring the event or to the ADA Coordinator with as much notice as possible (a lead time of 3 business days will help the City engage the most highly qualified interpreters for the job).

Service Animals

The City of St. Petersburg welcomes people with disabilities who are accompanied by service animals at all City buildings, programs, and activities. No identification or special tags are required. Service animals must be harnessed or leashed unless those devices would interfere with the work the service animal performs. In cases where the service animal is not leashed or harnessed, the handler must have the service animal under voice or signal control. If a service animal becomes disruptive, City staff may ask that the service animal be removed. The City will consider the use of miniature horses as a service animal on a case-by-case basis.

The Department of Justice has a comprehensive fact sheet on service animals and their use in both Title II and Title III buildings and facilities. 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) enforces the Fair Housing Act requirements in housing situations. The Fair Housing Act protects people with disabilities in housing and includes an even broader definition of service animal. Requests for service and support animals can be made under the Reasonable Accommodations Under the Fair Housing Act.

Tub Out Service

To accommodate people with disabilities or those unable to maneuver large trash or recycling containers to the street, the Sanitation Department offers a Tub Out service for residential trash collection at no additional charge. Under the Tub Out program, sanitation employees collect the container from its current location on a customer’s property, dump it and return it to its original location. Currently enrolled Tub Out customers who wish to participate in Residential Recycling will automatically receive Tub Out curbside recycling collection. New customers wishing to participate in the Tub Out program will need to apply for the service and submit certification from a qualified medical provider.  

Residents who wish to use this service must submit a certification form along with a doctor's certificate to be eligible for this service. Learn more about this service by calling 727-893-7309.

Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged

The Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged has unique policies for people with disabilities. To learn more about eligibility and services call the Helpline at (800) 983-2435. 

Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization 

Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) seeks to improve transportation in the county for all principal modes of travel, including mass transit, walking, and bicycling, as well as automobiles. 

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is the public transit provider for Pinellas County running nearly 40 bus and trolley routes with a fleet of nearly 200 vehicles which are all wheelchair accessible. Special Citizen Fares are available to passengers age 65 or older, and to those with disabilities who have a free PSTA Special Citizen Photo ID. For information on all PSTA services, call the PSTA Info Line at 727-540-1900.  

PSTA Paratransit

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) has ADA Paratransit called Demand Response Transportation (DART) service which provides door-to-door service for people who, because of their disability, are unable to safely and independently use the regular accessible PSTA bus system. 

St. Petersburg Looper Trolley 

The St. Petersburg Looper Trolley runs a loop around the attractions of the city and each trolley is supplied with a wheelchair lift.

Adapted Swimming Pools

The City of St. Petersburg swimming pools have been adapted to meet the needs of the disabled community. Wheelchair lifts are available at municipal pools. North Shore Pool also has an in-pool ramp and an aquatic wheelchair for patrons. Visit the Aquatics Department webpage for hours of operation and entrance fees.

Golf

The City of St. Petersburg is home to some of the best municipal golf courses in the nation. To help people with mobility impairments enjoy the sport, CAPI has supported an adapted golf cart. Please call in advance to reserve the cart. Visit www.golfstpete.com to learn more and to make a reservation.

Municipal Marina

The St. Petersburg Municipal Marina offers an accessible boat ramp, floating docks, and Hoyer Lifts for people with mobility impairments. Call 727-893-7329 for more information.

Parks

CAPI has supported the renovation of Dell Holmes Park. This park offers an all-inclusive playground, accessible fitness trails, picnic tables, grills, a fishing pier, and more. Azalea Park has an accessible outdoor fitness area. Call 727-893-7441 for more information. 

Therapeutic Recreation

The City of St. Petersburg Leisure Services has a team of staff members dedicated to Therapeutic Recreation. This department focuses on recreational activities for people with physical, sensory, and intellectual disabilities. The Therapeutic Recreation Office offers hand crank and tandem bicycles for rent, and beach wheelchairs are available for use at St. Petersburg's Treasure Island Municipal Beach and at North Shore Pool. To learn more about the latest activities and resources available, or to reserve a rental, call 727-893-7899 or visit the St. Pete Parks & Recreation website.

The ADA Coordinator is always available to provide information on the accessibility of City government buildings, facilities, programs, and services and can refer residents and visitors to other resources if their issue or concern does not involve a City government facility, program, or service.