and Accessible Transportation in the United States U.S./AFRICA TRANSPORTATION WORKSHOP “Developing Sustainable Transportation Systems” Arusha, Tanzania August 26, 2009 Presenter: Roscoe Brown, Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation

 The Americans with Disabilities Act  A comprehensive federal civil rights law  People with disabilities have the same rights and responsibilities as any other citizen  Enacted through grassroots effort by the American people

 Covers all places that are open to the public, whether privately-owned or government facilities  Requires that existing barriers be removed  Sets standards for construction of new buildings and facilities

 Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”  Rights – Not “Privileges” The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was a bill of rights for persons with disabilities. “It was a formal acknowledgement that Americans with disabilities are Americans first, and they are entitled to the same rights and freedoms as everybody else: a right to belong and participate fully in the American experience; a right to dignity and respect in the workplace and beyond; the freedom to make of our lives what we will.” President Barack Obama Remarks on signing of U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Proclamation July 24, 2009

 Prior to the ADA Americans with disabilities were still measured by what people thought they could not do... not by what they could do  Many assumed “Disabled” meant “Unable”  The ADA shifts the focus on the person’s “Ability” versus their “Disability”

ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION

Public and private transportation systems must be accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. NOT JUST WHEELCHAIR USERS! -All new buses, railcars, subway cars, streetcars, etc. must be accessible. -At least one car per train must be accessible. -“Key Stations” must be modified. -Paratransit must be provided to persons unable to use the fixed-route transit system.

U.S. Department of Transportation is responsible for ensuring access through regulation and enforcement. Transportation is the critical link to full participation in society.

F EATURES : K NEELING, WC R AMP, D ESTINATION S IGNS AND V OICE E NUNCIATORS

S EATS F OLD U P F OR W HEELCHAIRS AND A CCESS TO T IE D OWN E QUIPMENT

A CCESSIBILITY E XTENDS B EYOND THE T RANSPORTATION S ERVICE

I N D EVELOPMENT, P LANNING, E VALUATION AND M ONITORING

 Developing sustainable public transportation systems in the East Africa Community  Consider universal access and inclusion

Julie A. Cunningham President & CEO Conference Of Minority Transportation Officials th Street, NW - Suite 850 Washington, DC USA fax Roscoe S. Brown Jr. Director of Coordinated Transportation Programs Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation 1501 West Washington Street Indianapolis, IN USA U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration