For Immediate Release: November 5, 2026
Contact: Jess Davidson, jdavidson@aapd.com, 202-975-0960
WASHINGTON, DC – On November 5, 2026, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) will host its first-ever Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Summit with its We Will Ride initiative. This summit will bring together disability rights advocates, accessible technology experts, AV companies, government officials, and technology industry leaders for a series of panels and workshops about accessibility in the AV industry.
“Accessible transportation is at the heart of community living, and disabled people face transportation-related discrimination every day. The development of Autonomous Vehicles has the potential to increase independence in disabled people’s lives, allowing us to get to work, see friends, and move through our communities,” said Maria Town, AAPD President and CEO. “Rapidly increasing AV use also poses safety challenges specific to disabled users that must be addressed collaboratively, in a manner that centers disabled people. Today’s summit is an exciting new stage in this collaborative work, which we hope will help realize the promise of AVs for disabled people.”
The AV Summit will focus on the history of AVs, current context, resources for improving accessibility, and what it will take to achieve a fully accessible AV industry. Disability advocates from across the country will share their experiences, concerns, and perspectives with industry leaders. Breakout discussions will focus on safety, local and state policy, SecureRide and innovation, community engagement, and staffing and workforce development for accessibility.
“AV deployment offers a world of possibility for people with disabilities. With rapid increases in AV use across the country, this is the moment to make sure disabled people’s lived experiences become part of industry priorities,” said Maitreya Shah, AAPD Director of Technology Policy. “Disabled users will not be left behind. Today’s summit leverages AAPD’s strengths as a convener, bringing together leaders and expertise from across industries. We are grateful for the opportunity to convene this thoughtful group of leaders committed to safety, accessibility, and elevating disabled leadership.