I recently got a chance to go on a trip to Washington, DC to advocate to Congress as a part of the United Spinal Cord Association’s Roll on Capitol Hill.
First, the Air Carrier Access Amendment Act. This act asks for, or shall I say, requires the Secretary of Transportation to access civil penalties for Air Carrier Access Act violations, refer patterns of discrimination to the Department of Justice and grant individuals with disabilities a private right of action in civil court. It also requires the SOT to formulate standards to address effective boarding and deplaning, visually accessible announcements, seating accommodations, lavatories, and stowage options for assistive devices. Last but not least, it ensures all covered gates, counters, ticketing areas, and customer service desks are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
That first act was a lot, I admit, but it was so much easier to explain and break down in person. The Second Act focused on our everyday lives, and I honestly can’t believe this wasn’t already a law. The Disability Access to Transportation Act wants to establish a paratransit pilot program that allows additional stops. Part of it also requires U.S. Access Board to publish final public rights of way guidelines setting minimum standards to ensure that sidewalks, pedestrian street crossing, signals, and other facilities are readily accessible to and usable by wheelchair users and individuals with mobility disabilities. It requires an active link to the service providers website, a telephone number, and notice that a consumer can file a disability-related complaint with the OCR and FTA