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General Information   wheelchair symbol grey

Overview

This section of the ADA and Transit Portal covers the general aspects of the accessibility of transit services to people with disabilities. The categories shown in the navigation area at the left side of this page will lead you to resources that focus on more specific elements of the ADA and Transit. The following resources are broader in nature. We also include a section below on Rural Transit Issues.

Achieving Transit Access: An Action Guide (MTC 2011)

This guide presents a step-by-step process that any group can utilize to negotiate with transit agencies to achieve ADA compliance.  It provides practical, straightforward suggestions on how to organize an action coalition, conduct research, prepare documentation, develop strategies, host meetings, file FTA and DOJ complaints, hold a public forum, utilize the media, stage a peaceful protest and file a class action lawsuit. The guide is complemented with a case study highlighting Jackson, Mississippi where transit riders with disabilities and an independent living center joined forces to resolve an inaccessible transit situation in their community. This campaign culminated with a class action lawsuit, Crawford et al. v. City of Jackson Public Transportation System (JATRAN).

The Riders’ Guide to Public Transit for People with Disabilities: Fixed Route and ADA Complementary Paratransit (MTC 2010)

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the ADA requirements for fixed route and ADA complementary paratransit. In clear and direct language, riders with disabilities are guided through everything they need to know to successfully access these systems. Riders’ rights and responsibilities are included as well as useful tips.

The Current State of Transportation for People with Disabilities in the United States

Current State of Transportation for People with Disabilities in the United States 
This report highlights many best practices and successful initiatives that can serve as models for other communities for enhancing transportation and mobility for people with disabilities. This report also sets forth a variety of recommendations for service improvements and for additional research that will lead to greater options for the 6 million Americans with disabilities who have difficulties obtaining the transportation they need to live independent and productive lives.

Transportation Technical Assistance Manual

Transportation Technical Assistance Manual
This document was created by incorporating the DOT regulations (49 CFR Part 37) with the interpretive guidance accompanying those regulations. The interpretive guidance provides insight into the rationale for each section of the regulations.

ADA Transportation Series (DBTAC)

These documents provide basic information about transportation systems in the form of answers to frequently asked questions. They have not been reviewed by the Department of Justice for legal sufficiency.

The Americans with Disabilities Act: The Federal Transit Administration's Letters of Findings and Compliance Assessments (Brown Jul 2007)

FTA Interpretation of the ADA
This report includes Federal Transit Administration (FTA) interpretations of Part III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which pertains to public accommodations and transportation. FTA interpretations can be in letter findings, decisions on complaints, and compliance assessments.

Impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Transit Operations (Transportation Research Board Aug 2003)

Impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Transit Operations
The objective of the study was to produce a legal research digest that reports on a review of applicable statutes, a survey of state and local transit providers, and an analysis of developments pertaining to employment infrastructure and service requirements. Hopefully, this report will help transit operators better understand ADA requirements and, thereby, enhance compliance. The report should be helpful to administrators, attorneys, financial officials, human resources personnel, and planners in public transportation.

Rural Transit      ruraltransit-1

Accessible Transportation in Rural Areas: An Easter Seals Project ACTION Resource Sheet (2003)

This Resource Sheet examines accessible transportation strategies for rural areas including: coordinated systems, volunteer networks, vouchers, and flex routes. It concludes with contact information for organizations currently working on rural transportation issues.

Progress Toward Equity in Rural Transportation - Policy Brief (Rural Institute 2006)
Rural residents frequently cite the lack of transportation as one of their most difficult problems. In 1999, RTC: Rural researchers described a major cause of this situation – the historical inequity between urban and rural public transportation funding (Seekins, Spas, & Hubbard, 1999).

Ruralfacts: Rural Transportation (Rural Institute 1998)
We all need transportation-- to work or school, to shop, to visit friends and family, to go to church or keep an appointment -- whether we live in the city, country or small town. Ideal transportation is reliable, convenient, safe, affordable, and physically-accessible. Rural Public Transportation:  Who Needs It?

Service Animals     service animals

Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals (Project ACTION 2007)

This short booklet, revised in April 2007, answers common questions about service animals in the context of ground transportation for both people traveling with service animals and transportation providers. In recognition of the critical role that service animals play in the independent travel of people with disabilities, this document was developed based on the Americans with Disabilities Act and it stipulates about the rights and responsibilities of people traveling with service animals. It also addresses policies and practices of transportation providers, going above and beyond the ADA's regulatory obligations to provide good customer services. Transit drivers and people traveling with service animals will want to have a copy of this clear and informative booklet handy for reference.