Web Posted on: December 16, 1997
Americans with Disabilities Act in Brief
Transportation
Published by the
President's Committee On Employment of People with
Disabilities
"Every man, woman and child with a disability now can pass through once closed doors into a bright new era of equality, independence and freedom." - President George Bush
Purpose: The purpose of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), PL 101-336, is to extend to people with disabilities civil rights similar to those now available on the basis of race, color national origin, sex and religion through the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in: employment, services rendered by state and local governments, places of public accommodation, transportation, telecommunications services.
This brochure focuses on some of the major transportation provisions of the ADA. Other provisions of the ADA are covered in other brochures in this series.
Major Transportation Provisions
The ADA says...
Newly purchased and leased bus and rail vehicles must be accessible. For publicly funded systems, this requirement went into effect August 26, 1990.
Public transit authorities must provide comparable service to individuals who cannot use fixed route systems unless it would impose an undue burden.
All demand response service which is provided to the general public, and privately-funded fixed route service must purchase only accessible vehicles unless it can be demonstrated that the service is accessible when viewed in its entirety. The exception is privately-funded fixed route service, which uses vehicles carrying fewer than 16 people.
Newly purchased over-the-road coaches purchased after July 26,1996 must be accessible. In the case of small companies, the effective date is July 26, 1997. The President can extend this for one year. The bill commissions a three year study to determine the best way to provide access to over-the-road coaches.
New bus and rail facilities must be accessible. In altered facilities, the altered area must be accessible to the maximum extent feasible. When alterations affect a primary function area, a path of travel to altered areas and restrooms serving altered areas must be accessible to the extent that added costs are not disproportionate. Services provided in existing facilities must be accessible when viewed in their entirety.
Rail:
New vehicles must be accessible.
One car per train must be accessible by July 1995.
Key rail stations must be accessible by July 26, 1993, with exemptions available up to year 2020.
Amtrak stations must be accessible by year 2010.
The ADA says...
Transportation provided by a public entity:
"No qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity."
Enforcement
The Department of Transportation (DOT), is responsible for enforcing ADA transportation provisions. The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board issued minimum guidelines for accessibility of new or remodeled transportation facilities and new vehicles.
Timetables or compliance vary from section to section in the ADA. Some features of the Act become effective almost immediately while other features are phased in over several years.
Revised February 1992
President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities 1331 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20004-1107 202/376-6200 voice 202/376-6205 tdd 202/376-6219 fax
Regulations and Information
ADA Regulations for Transportation for Individuals with Disabilities contact: Urban Mass Transportation Administration 400 7th Street, SW, Room 9316, Washington, DC 20590 202/366-9306 or 4011 voice 202/755-7687 or 366-2979 tdd Copies of the regulations will be made available on request in alternative formats.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines for Transportation Vehicles contact: Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board 1331 F Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 2004-1111 202/272-5434-voice/tdd 800/872-2253 voice/tdd. Alternative formats are available.
The President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (PCEPD) has other ADA brochures and publications. Alternative formats are available.