Transportation Issues Key Links
Americans with Disabilities Act
Air Carrier Access Act
American Foundation for the Blind
Civil Rights Laws Covering Transportation Vehicles and Services
www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=3&TopicID=32&DocumentID=4132.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Note: Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act covers transportation vehicles and services operated by public entities. Privately-operated vehicles and services, such as hotel shuttles and taxicabs, are covered by the public accommodations provisions of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Complaints received about the design of or accessibility related to traffic lights, curb cuts, median strips, ramps, sidewalks, pedestrian crosswalks, interstate and highway restroom facilities, parking spaces, parking lots, and any other highway-related facility are Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) responsibility. The agency reviews and investigates the complaints and works with the involved state or local organization to resolve the situation.
For information or filing a complaint:
Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Civil Rights
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
8th Floor E81-314
Washington, DC 20590
Phone: 202-366-0693
E-mail: CivilRights.FHWA@fhwa.dot.gov
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration
Nondiscrimination
www.fhwa.dot.gov/civilrights/nondis.htm
ADA: Guaranteeing Access to Transportation
www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/fall94/p94au18.htm
Fact Sheet: Americans with Disabilities Act-Paratransit Services
www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/factsheets/ada.htm
Public Involvement Techniques for Transportation Decision-Making: Americans with Disabilities
www.fhwa.dot.gov/reports/pittd/ada.htm
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has perhaps the biggest responsibility under the law because public transit is used by millions every day to get to and from work, shopping, and recreation. ADA requires that all current and future fixed rail and bus systems across the country be fully accessible; it also requires that supplemental paratransit service be provided-that is, demand-responsive service for people who cannot access fixed-route service. FTA is in charge of reviewing local transit organizations' plans for meeting this mandate.
For information or filing a complaint:
Department of Transportation
Federal Transit Administration
Office of Civil Rights
400 7th Street, S.W., Room 9102
Washington, DC 20590
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Assistance Line
Phone: 888-446-4511 [Voice]; TDD: 202-366-0153; FIRS: 800-877-8339
E-mail: ada.assistance@fta.dot.gov
Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration
Federal Transit Administration ADA Information
www.fta.dot.gov/civilrights/civil_rights_2360.html
Public Transportation Rider Complaint Form
www.fta.dot.gov/civilrights/ada/civil_rights_3889.html
Sign up for e-mail updates for Americans with Disabilities Act
www.fta.dot.gov/civilrights/civil_rights_2360.html
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit Eligibility Manual
http://ntl.bts.gov/DOCS/manual.html
Airline travel is covered by the Air Carrier Access Act. The Office of the Secretary, Consumer Affairs Division, ensures access to airports and airlines by people with disabilities. This assurance is provided under the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986, which predates ADA but has the same intent. The division monitors airlines' compliance with the act, and it receives and investigates any complaints about access from the public.
In general, air travel raises relatively few accessibility concerns. Airlines are required to accommodate guide animals (e.g., seeing eye dogs) in the passenger cabin whenever possible; they are also required to inform people with hearing impairments about gate and other travel changes. Flight safety information is conveyed in alternative formats for those with hearing and vision impairments.
For information:
Department of Transportation
Aviation Consumer Protection Div.
400 Seventh Street, SW, Room 4107, C-75
Washington, DC 20590
Phone: 202-366-2220 (Voice); 202-366-0511 (TTY)
Toll Free: 800-255-1111
202-366-5957 (to record your complaint)
E-mail: airconsumer@ost.dot.gov
Web: http://www.dot.gov/airconsumer
Department of Transportation, Aviation Consumer Protection Division
Air Carrier Access Act Final Rules
Published May 13, 2008
Includes "Guidance Concerning Service Animals "
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2008-05-13/html/08-1228.htm
Toll-Free Hotline For Air Travelers With Disabilities
1-800-778-4838 (voice); 1-800-455-9880 (TTY)
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/hotline.htm
Air Accessibility
www.dotcr.ost.dot.gov/asp/airacc.asp
Air Carrier Access Act: Passengers with Disabilities
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/disabled.htm
New Horizons - Information for the Air Traveler with a Disability
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/horizons.htm
Complaints Alleging Discriminatory Treatment Against Disabled Travelers Under The Air Carrier Access Act
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/ACAAcomplaint.htm
Air Travel Service Problems: How complaints are handled
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/problems.htm
Additional information. . .
Department of Transportation
Accessibility - Equal Access to Transportation
www.dot.gov/citizen_services/disability/disability.html
Accessible Journeys, Inc.
Summary of the Air Carrier Access Act and Its Major Provisions
www.disabilitytravel.com/airlines/air_carrier_act.htm
Guide to the Air Carrier Access Act
www.disabilitytravel.com/airlines/air_carrier_act_details.htm
Project Action
Project Action: Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.projectaction.org/
DisabilityInfo.gov
DisabilityInfo.gov: Accessible Transportation
www.disability.gov/resource/department-of-transportation-dot-accessibility-home-page/
