Transportation Legislation
Americans with Disabilities Act
Title II of the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public transportation services, such as city buses and public rail (subways, commuter trains, etc.) Public transportation services must:
- Comply with accessibility requirements in newly purchased vehicles
- Make good faith efforts to purchase or lease accessible used buses
- Remanufacture buses in an accessible manner
- Provide paratransit (assisted transportation) where they operate fixed route bus or rail systems, unless it would cause an undue burden
For more information on the ADA and accessible transportation regulations, see the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Air Carrier Access Act
The Air Carrier Access Act prohibits discrimination by U.S. or foreign air carriers on the basis of disability and requires airlines to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities.
Carriers may not:
- Refuse transportation to people on the basis of disability
- Require advance notice that a person with a disability is traveling
- Limit the number of people with disabilities on a flight
- Require a person with a disability to travel with an attendant, except in certain limited circumstances
Carriers must make airplanes accessible and provide certain services and accommodations for passengers with disabilities, including boarding assistance and allowances for assistive devices.
For more information on air travel for people with disabilities, click here.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination based on disability in any programs receiving federal funds. Recipients of Federal aid and state and local entities that are responsible for roadways and pedestrian facilities must therefore ensure equal access for people with disabilities to roads and sidewalks, rest areas and pedestrian overpasses and underpasses.
For more information on Section 504, click here.
Latest News
- AAPD Announces New Grant Program to Expand Work Opportunities for Young Americans with Disabilities
AAPD Press Team | 09/03/2013
- White House Announces Groundbreaking Effort to Promote Equal Opportunity for Americans with Disabilities
AAPD Press Team | 08/27/2013
From our Blog
Airport Security: AAPD Asks TSA to Uphold Civil Rights
On October 5, 2011, AAPD met with key staff from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the division within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that focuses on airport security in regard to airline departures. The purpose of the meeting was to learn more about how TSA addresses complaints and concerns by people with disabilities and what is TSA's approach to resolution.
