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Transportation Act Reauthorization Position Statement:
Rural Transportation for People with Disabilities
January, 2010
"It is hereby declared to be the national policy that elderly and handicapped persons
have the same right as other persons to utilize mass transportation facilities and
services; that special efforts shall be made in the planning and design of mass
transportation facilities and services so that the availability to elderly and
handicapped persons of mass transportation which they can effectively utilize will
be assured; and that all Federal programs offering assistance in the field of mass
transportation (including the programs under this Act) should contain provisions
implementing this policy." Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1970, P.L. 91-453
The current Transportation Act - the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) is scheduled for reauthorization in FY2010. Advocates are looking hard at what needs to be changed, what should stay and what needs to be added to the bill this go round. The above 1970 statutory language, establishing national transportation policy, was written 20 years before the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We need to use the 1970 transportation act's words as a challenge and a reminder of promises to keep.
SAFETEA-LU created the New Freedom Program (sec. 5317) to support new public
transportation services and public transportation alternatives beyond those required
by the ADA, in order to assist individuals with disabilities with their transportation
needs, including transportation to and from jobs and employment support services.
40 years after initial national policy, and 20 years post-ADA, minimal or non-existent
transit services in rural areas still create serious barriers to employment, accessible
health care and full participation in society for people with disabilities. Lack of public
transportation is one of the most serious, persistent problems reported by people
with disabilities who live in rural America. Compared to the resources allocated to
urban areas, those allocated for rural public transportation are significantly inequitable.
Statistically, 25% of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, but only 6% of federal
transit funding is allocated to serve them. Many rural communities
(1200 counties with a total population of 37 million people) have no public transit.
Full Statement Click Here |
