cil-net presents… a national teleconference & webinar

CIL-NET, a project of ILRU – Independent Living Research Utilization 1

CIL-NET Presents…A National Teleconference &

WebinarRide On! An Introduction to Accessible Transportation Programs and Advocacy

at Centers for Independent Living Part 1

July 26, 2011

Presenters:Roger Howard

Stephanie Woodward

CIL-NET, a project of ILRU – Independent Living Research Utilization


CIL-NET Presents…A National Teleconference &

WebinarRide On! An Introduction to Accessible Transportation Programs and Advocacy

at Centers for Independent Living Part 1

July 26, 2011

Presenters:Roger Howard

Stephanie Woodward


You will learn…• An overview of the impact and current state

of the ADA on accessible transportation• Different types of transportation, including

pros and cons of Fixed Route vs. Paratransit options

• Major program funding sources for transportation services offered by CILs

• Suggestions for creative collaborations to increase the availability of affordable, accessible transportation options


State of Accessible Transportation• Required to be accessible in service area• Every city differs• ADA requirements are not always followed

4


Public TransportationCovered under ADA Title II

– Subways– Amtrak– Buses– Paratransit

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SubwaysAccessibility differs in each city•Examples:

– Washington, D.C. • Train cars are level with platform• Elevator access

– New York City• Train cars are sometimes inches from

platform• Not all stops have elevator access

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Amtrak• 20 Years to become fully accessible

– Did not comply & asked Congress for an extension

• Barrier-free access for passengers with mobility impairments

• Accessible Seating Limits– Disabled in Action v. National Passenger

R.R. Comp.

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Buses• Ramps or lifts• New vehicles have specific provisions• “Good Faith Effort” for used buses• Remanufacture buses

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Paratransit• Door-to-Door or Curb-to-Curb service• Must serve area within ¾ of a mile of fixed

route bus or rail system• Only for individuals who cannot use fixed

route bus or rail system

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Fixed Route v. Paratransit

Which to use?

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Fixed Route• Use if you can:

– independently board with the assistance of a ramp/lift

– navigate the system– Benefits:

• Generally lower fares• Travel time flexibility• Increased independence

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Paratransit • For persons who cannot:

– independently use the fixed route system (cannot navigate the system)

– use the fixed-route system because the bus or rail station is not accessible

– get to and from fixed-route stops and stations within the service area

• The decision is based on functional ability

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Private Transportation- Taxi Services- Limo Services- Any Demand Responsive System

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Private Transportation General Requirements

• Cannot refuse to serve disabled person who can use taxi vehicles (i.e. blind or can transfer from wheelchair)

• Cannot charge higher fares or fees for carrying individuals with disabilities or their equipment

• Must provide assistance with the stowing of mobility devices (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.)

• Must allow service animals to ride

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Private Transportation Vehicle Requirements• New and Used Sedans are not required to be

accessible• Used Vans are not required to be accessible• All New Vans are required to be accessible

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Questions and Answers

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Advocacy Strategies• Data Collecting• Pitchfork Approach

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Data Collecting• Tools:

– Surveys for Fixed Route & Paratransit Systems

– Rider Complaint Forms – Phone Recording System – Paratransit Ride Request Grids

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Surveys In General• Quarterly Survey• Distribute Among other Organizations• Make Available Paper Form and Online Form

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Surveys: Questions to Ask

Fixed Route• How often do you

ride?• Has a driver ever

refused to allow you on the bus?

• Have you ever been passed by a bus that you were waiting for?

Paratransit• How often do you

ride?• Have you ever been

denied a ride?• Have you ever

missed a ride because a bus driver was too early or too late?

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Surveys• Example:

– To view the online version of the Paratransit Survey that the Center for Disability Rights uses in Rochester, NY please visit:http://www.cdrnys.org/index.php?option=com_jumi&fileid=5&Itemid=155

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Rider Complaint Forms In General• For both fixed route and paratransit• Distribute with return envelopes• Encourage riders to complete forms as soon

as possible after the incident occurs• Can be used as affidavits for lawsuits

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Rider Complaint Forms Information to Collect• Time, date, bus number• What occurred (check boxes with lines for

details work best)• Signature and date

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Rider Complaint Forms• Examples:

– Examples of the Fixed Route and Paratransit Complaint Forms, or “Rider Statements” that the Center for Disability Rights uses are available as word documents for you to view.

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Phone Recording System• Useful when paratransit company is less

than honest about the rides they book• Create a number for the riders to call which

will automatically connect to paratransit company

• This special number records the call

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Phone Recording System Warnings• Tech savvy individuals required• Large time chunks to review calls required• Check law in your state!

– In NY, only one party on the call needs to know the call is being recorded.

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Paratransit Grid In General• Less time-consuming (but sometimes less

reliable) than Recording System• Distribute to Paratransit riders before they

call to request rides• Have riders record ride times requested &

ride times scheduled

27


Paratransit Grid ExampleDay & Time

CalledDay of Requested Ride

Ride Time Requested

Ride Time Offered

Did you book this ride?

June 7- 11am

June 10 10am 11:30am yes

June 10- 9am

June 12 1pm 4pm no

June 11- 9am

June 14 8am 8:30am yes

June 13- 1pm

June 16 2pm 1pm yes

June 15- 9am

June 17 10am 12pm no

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Paratransit Things to Remember• When using either the call recording system

or the Paratransit Grid, remember:– If the ride time offered is more than 1 hour

before or after the time requested, it counts as a denial.

– Local transit providers, in conjunction with the riding public, may establish reservation systems that best meet local needs with a maximum 14-day advance reservation period.

– It is illegal to deny requests for next day service. 29


Pitchfork Approach• Media/Education• Legal/Litigation• Direct Actions• Political/Legislative• Administrative/Regulatory

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Pitchfork Approach Media/Education

• Influence public policy• Educate the public • Passionate Public affects Elected Officials

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Pitchfork Approach Media/Education, cont’d.• Example:

– Individuals who had been denied bus service or paratransit service to talk to the media.

– Educate the public on how individuals with disabilities lost their jobs due to the discrimination from public transportation.

– Our local representatives received calls from the general public.

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Pitchfork Approach Legal/Litigation

Using existing anti-discrimination laws in court to challenge discriminatory practices.

34


Pitchfork Approach Legal/Litigation, cont’d.

• Example:– Lawsuit in early 2000’s – Results:

• Claimants won• 14 day scheduling down to 3 day

scheduling

35


Pitchfork Approach Direct Actions

To bring about change in the transportation system, consider using non-violent direct action including:– civil disobedience – street theater – rallies

36


Pitchfork Approach Direct Actions, cont’d.

Example:– Summer 2010: Reports of buses passing

wheelchair users– Protest at Transportation Authority

Headquarters– Chant “RTS says they don’t care! They

won’t take us anywhere!” Results:

– Memo distributed to all drivers threatening termination to any driver that passes wheelchair users.

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Pitchfork Approach Political/Legislative

Influencing elected officials and their staff in order to affect public policy.

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Pitchfork Approach Political/Legislative, cont’d.Example:

– Rider Statements copied and forwarded to local representatives.

– Representatives received over 25 copies of complaints in one month.

– Representatives contacted the Transportation Authority and attended the next “Town Meeting.”

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Pitchfork ApproachAdministrative/Regulator

Influencing administrative or regulatory entities.

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Pitchfork Approach Administrative/Regulator, cont’d.Example:

– Helped riders to submit complaints to the Federal Transit Administration and encouraged riders to submit their own.

– FTA investigator contacted the Center for Disability Rights requesting copies of any new complaints.

41


Wrap Up and Evaluation• Please complete the evaluation of this

program by clicking here:https://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/12291g4b280

https://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/12291g4b280


CIL-NET• Support for development of this

Webinar/teleconference was provided by the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration under grant number H132B070002-10. No official endorsement of the Department of Education should be inferred. Permission is granted for duplication of any portion of this PowerPoint presentation, providing that the following credit is given to the project: Developed as part of the CIL-NET, a program of the IL NET, an ILRU/NCIL/APRIL National Training and Technical Assistance Project.

cil-net presents… a national teleconference & webinar

Documents

ada regulations

ada requirements

elevator access5cilnet

transportation services

national passenger

asked congress

barrier free access

prohibited rail carrier