[AutonomousVehicles] 2021 Progress Report on Automobile Accessibility Scorecard

[Cornelius Butler]

Hi Everyone,i was doing some research and this very interesting and
important news caught my attention.The  American Association of People with
Disabilities has published its 2021 Progress Report on Automobile
Accessibility Scorecard. This gives an overview of how automakers are doing
as it relates to making their vehicles more accessible for people with
disabilities and also includes how they are moving towards autonomy.

Below is the announcement text and link to the article.
Article Link:
https://www.aapd.com/press-releases/2021-automobile-accessibility-scorecard/
Article Text:

AAPD Publishes 2021 Progress Report on Automobile Accessibility Scorecard
Results

For Immediate Release
July 26, 2021
Contact: Sam Drzymala, samuel at cleveredge.com

*Report shows robust efforts even in the face of challenges caused by the
COVID-19 global pandemic*

*Washington, D.C. *– Today, in honor of the 31st anniversary of the passage
of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the American Association of
People with Disabilities (AAPD) issued its second progress report
<https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2021-AAPD-Auto-Accessibility-Scorecard-Progress-Report-1.pdf>
 on its Automobile Accessibility Scorecard. The scorecard tracks progress
by auto manufacturing companies toward the design and production of an
accessible vehicle that can accommodate people with a wide range of
disabilities, including power wheelchair users, along 29 criteria
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rw3Wk6rpJfabFjRFHK9HvDtui56cybA5/view?usp=sharing>.
Currently, no manufacturer offers a fully accessible vehicle that does not
require expensive aftermarket modifications for wheelchair users. Although
autonomous vehicles’ (AVs) potential to remove barriers is frequently
touted, as automakers pave the way with new concepts for these vehicles, it
is crucial that people with disabilities are not left out and left behind.

This year’s progress report found that, *even as the pandemic disrupted
business plans, progress toward accessibility has not been eroded. In fact,
major OEMs have continued tackling the challenges associated with
accessible design in their AV programs during this period.*

*“Despite unprecedented challenges to the auto industry with a raging
global pandemic, accessibility advocates and their partners at auto
manufacturing companies have persevered,”* said Maria Town, President and
CEO at AAPD. *“The work of designing and building an accessible passenger
vehicle continues, and we look forward to continuing our constructive
dialogue with manufacturing companies on setting a concrete timetable in
2022 and beyond.”*

Highlights from the report include:

   - Automakers are broadening the scope of their outreach with disability
   groups with some automakers engaging with local and national disability
   groups in discussions on design standards and user testing.
   - Auto manufacturing companies are forming internal cross-departmental
   staff working groups on accessibility.
   - Companies are continuing work on accessibility challenges such as an
   accessible human-machine interface (HMI).


*BACKGROUND*

Accessible transportation is a cornerstone of participation in today’s
society, and present options do not meet the disability community’s needs.
No major manufacturer producing a vehicle for sale to the consumer is built
with accessibility as a cornerstone of the user experience. For millions of
people with disabilities who cannot attain a driver’s license and those
that must rely on vehicles that market modifications just to get around,
the autonomous vehicle (AV) technology currently under development holds
the promise to deliver access to new transportation options. And with
billions of dollars being invested in developing this new technology, this
moment presents the opportunity to ensure that new vehicle designs —
autonomous or driven by humans — are accessible to all.

No major manufacturer is producing a vehicle for sale to the consumer that
is built with accessibility as a cornerstone of the user experience.
Further, no major automaker produces a purpose-built light-duty vehicle
that can accommodate a wheelchair user. The average wheelchair user must
spend between $10,000 – $30,000 on substantial modifications to purchase a
vehicle that is accessible. This price tag is often too high for the
average person.

As part of its role as convener of the We Will Ride campaign, AAPD
developed the scorecard to track automotive industry (OEM) progress toward
creating an accessible vehicle. The scorecard was first announced in 2019
and issued its first public progress report on the 30th anniversary of the
passage of the ADA in 2020.

Current research suggests that travel-limited people, older adults, and
people with disabilities make up a significant market for transportation
services. Specifically, we estimate <https://anyflip.com/ieove/pvfg/> that
there are 18.5 million travel-limited individuals in the U.S., of which 5.7
million are wheelchair-using, and, of those, 1.4 million use a motorized
wheelchair. In addition:

   - The range of the travel-limited population that has the means to use a
   ride-sharing service is between 11.2 to 15.4 million.
   - The estimated range of the wheelchair-using population that has the
   means of purchasing private vehicles or using a ride-sharing service is
   between 3.6 and 5.0 million.
   - The range of the motorized wheelchair-using population that has the
   means of purchasing private vehicles or using a rideshare service is
   between 0.9 and 1.3 million.
   - The wheelchair-using and the travel-limited populations are six times
   more likely to live in zero vehicle households and the motorized
   wheelchair-using population is eight times more likely; and,
   - The market is projected to grow: The disability population is growing
   much faster than the population as a whole: 10.75% as opposed to a 0.74%
   growth rate for the US population. The Census Bureau projects that by 2030
   there will be 21.5 million more wheelchair users — and that’s just among
   people 55 and older.



***

*AAPD is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the
political and economic power of people with disabilities. As one of the
leading national cross-disability civil rights organizations, AAPD
advocates for the full recognition of rights for the over 60 million
Americans with disabilities. AAPD’s programs and initiatives have been
effective in mobilizing the disability community through communications
advocacy; cultivating and training new and emerging leaders with
disabilities through leadership development programs; increasing the
political participation of Americans with disabilities and elevating the
power of the disability vote through the REV UP (Register! Educate! Vote!
Use your Power!) Campaign; and advancing disability inclusion in the
workplace through the Disability Equality Index (DEI) — the nation’s
leading corporate benchmarking tool for disability equality and inclusion.
To learn more about AAPD, visit **www.aapd.com*
<https://aapd.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=08dab5cd58ad9250c3f56519f&id=edbefe707b&e=fa1eeb8450>
*.*
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