HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/03/2003, - REVISED ACCESS CITIZENS FOR SAFti.:CESS ydQ aun.!'.td./
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Access to Transportation for Americans with Disabilities
Many people have disabilities that make it difficult or impossible for them to operate a motor
vehicle or to use public transportation without special equipment or assistance. Such disabilities
can include problems with walking or other motor functions, hearingg or sight impairments,and/or
various cognitive and mental difficulties. people who are unable to Ivll use the transportation
s stem may experience reduced access to opportunities for ei-noloyment,healthcare, ucc n
shopping,socia and cultural events do recreation. But our trans ortalion.s stem must e
inclusive in service rovi in access to o ortunities:or all American"
In 1990,Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA),which protects persons with
disabilities from discrimination in employment, provision of public services and accommodations,
and transportation. The ADA defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substan
tially limits one or more of an individual's major life activities. The Census Bureau estimates that,at
tkp end of 4 t 1 in 5 people in the-United States indudin both adults and children .ha
some.form of disability(54 million),while 1 in 10 had a severe disc ility(26 mi ion) [McNeil
1997].
Under the ADA,it is a violation of civil rights law to discriminate a ainst le with disabilities in
Providingu is transportation. When a era" _n s are involved.,accessibility guidelines are also
governed y Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Although the ADA applies nation-
wide,about 600 public transportation agencies and 700 key railroad stations have been the focal
point for most transportation compliance activities. Figure 5-11 shows the general improvement in
ccessible transit vehicles. Today, 83 percent of transit buses are ADA accessible,an increase of
early 30 percent since 1994. It is expected that 100 percent of transit buses will be accessible by
002. (Additional ADA requirements apply to intercity bus lines,Amtrak,and other public and
private carriers. A separate law, the Air Carriers Access Act of 1986, makes it illegal for air
carriers to discriminate against people with physical or mental impairments.)
One of the main effects of the ADA is that paratransit(e.g.,alternative transp2rtafion arran
ce-
ants for the disabled) is no longer to be used as a substitute for fixed-route service Under the
ADA, x -route service must be made available tote disabled;paratransit is to be provided only
when fixed-route transit does not meet a customers needs or is inappropriate to the situation.
Moreover,paratransit eligibility is no longer based on a person's disability,but on whether or not
the person has the ability to use the fixed-route system.
In 1998,the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) amended its ADA regulations to require
accessibility for new over-the-road buses(OTRBs). The new rule applies both to intercity and other
fixed-route bus operators and to charter-and_tour-bus operators. The rules require operators to
ensure that passengers with disabilities can use OTRBs.
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