Comments Needed on U.S. DOT Proposed ADA Transit Reg Changes
Monday, July 31, 2006
- Organization: DREDF
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is currently considering important proposed changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transportation regulations. These changes, which would be a positive development for people with disabilities, are are being very strongly resisted by most public transportation providers.
Advocates' support is crucial to ensuring a good outcome. Comments, which must include the docket number 2006-OST-23985, will certainly be useful if submitted through mid-August 2006. DOT extended the official comment period to July 28th, and is still accepting submissions because the administrative consideration process is still underway. DOT's full Notice of Proposed Rulemaking can be found at A draft of DREDF's comments are posted on our website at [Please note: DREDF's comments should not be duplicated verbatim by other commenters, but may be referenced for general information and ideas]
In particular, interested parties are encouraged to submit a brief comment supporting the addition of an explicit DOT regulatory requirement for transit agencies to make reasonable modifications of policies, practices and procedures. This will clarify, for example, that paratransit providers must assist riders who need help getting from paratransit vehicles to or from a building. Other topics in this DOT proposed rulemaking include requests for input on the following issues of importance to the disability community:
*Should rail systems provide full platform access?
*Should DOT use a Department-wide coordinated approach to interpreting disability policy questions?
*Should transportation providers that acquire used vehicles be required to make efforts to obtain accessible vehicles?
*Is there a problem with the exclusion of wheelchairs that transportation providers say do not meet the "common wheelchair" description?
Advocates' support is crucial to ensuring a good outcome. Comments, which must include the docket number 2006-OST-23985, will certainly be useful if submitted through mid-August 2006. DOT extended the official comment period to July 28th, and is still accepting submissions because the administrative consideration process is still underway. DOT's full Notice of Proposed Rulemaking can be found at A draft of DREDF's comments are posted on our website at [Please note: DREDF's comments should not be duplicated verbatim by other commenters, but may be referenced for general information and ideas]
In particular, interested parties are encouraged to submit a brief comment supporting the addition of an explicit DOT regulatory requirement for transit agencies to make reasonable modifications of policies, practices and procedures. This will clarify, for example, that paratransit providers must assist riders who need help getting from paratransit vehicles to or from a building. Other topics in this DOT proposed rulemaking include requests for input on the following issues of importance to the disability community:
*Should rail systems provide full platform access?
*Should DOT use a Department-wide coordinated approach to interpreting disability policy questions?
*Should transportation providers that acquire used vehicles be required to make efforts to obtain accessible vehicles?
*Is there a problem with the exclusion of wheelchairs that transportation providers say do not meet the "common wheelchair" description?
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