United Spinal Association applauds U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-Nev.) today for reintroducing the bicameral Disability Access to Transportation Act (DATA). This bill will improve accessible transportation by establishing a one-stop pilot program to help paratransit riders avoid excessive wait times between multiple trips, streamlining the process for submitting accessibility complaints, and assisting local communities with identifying gaps in transportation accessibility.
“Access to safe, reliable, and affordable transportation options is a critical tool for promoting economic opportunity for all communities. And it is especially important for individuals with disabilities,” says Sen. Menendez. “It is critical we invest in creating transportation systems that are more accessible and reliable and can provide all individuals with more flexibility and mobility when commuting to work, school, or any destination.”
“I’m proud to join Senator Menendez in this bicameral effort to build upon the Americans with Disabilities Act so we can eliminate all lingering barriers to adequate and accessible transportation,” says Rep. Titus.
“Without wheelchair accessible transportation, true community living is impossible for far too many of our members,” says Vincenzo Piscopo, President and CEO of United Spinal Association. “This bill could be the game changer we need. It has the potential to increase the availability of accessible transportation for millions of people with mobility disabilities.”
Along with United Spinal Association, this bill has been endorsed by American Council of the Blind, Family Voices, Amputee Coalition, The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, Autistic People of Color Fund, Access Ready, Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund, Cure SMA, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and American Foundation for the Blind.
What’s in the bill?
The Disability Access to Transportation Act includes:
- Findings that highlight the ongoing need to improve access to transportation systems for those with disabilities;
- The creation of a new one-stop paratransit pilot program authorized at $75 million annually through FY26, which will allow for a brief stop on a multi-legged paratransit trip to prevent long wait times between having to book individual trip segments. This will allow people with disabilities to perform activities like stopping at a bank or pharmacy or dropping children off at daycare without needing to book two separate trips that could each take up to 90 minutes;
- Requires the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to finalize minimum standards for pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way, and requires the Secretary of Transportation to undertake a rulemaking to implement those standards;
- A provision to streamline the accessibility complaint reporting process at FTA; and
- The creation of an accessibility data pilot program to improve data collection and identify gaps in services to aid in transportation planning.
Spotlight on Ground Transportation
The transportation sector, including federal agencies, local transit systems, and private entities, must innovate and provide services that empower wheelchair users to travel independently in their communities.
“With the increased funding made available to federal and state programs by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law at the end of 2021 and more recent funding updates last year, now is the time to get this bill passed and have more accessible transportation options available to all wheelchair users,” says Alexandra Bennewith, Vice President, Government Relations United Spinal Association. “It’s what our members deserve.”
Visit our Policy Spotlight on Ground Transportation to learn more and get involved by joining our Grassroots Advocacy Network.
