[il-talk] Fw: AAPD report - People with Disabilities Still Left Behind In Transportation Debates

[Robert Gardner]

FYI.  This came to me through my membership in the State Rehab Council.

Bob


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From: "Abrahamson, Matt" <Matt.Abrahamson at illinois.gov>
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2012 12:28 PM
To: "Beverly Hardnett-Young" <tybev at frontier.com>; "Camille Caffarelli" 
<camille at horizons-blind.org>; "Meadows, Cathy" <CATHY.MEADOWS at illinois.gov>; 
"Diane Crutcher" <diane.crutcher at c4pd.com>; "Greg Polman" 
<greg.polman at chicagolighthouse.org>; "Janice Duvall" 
<jduvall at abilitylinks.org>; "Jim Wilkerson" <wilkerson.jim at mhsil.com>; "Juan 
Bernal" <juan.bernal at goodwillsew.com>; "Kathleen Oertle" 
<oertle at illinois.edu>; "Laura Gallagher Watkin" <lgwatkin at hdadvocates.org>; 
"Leanne Stavenger-Vos" <lvos at donkainc.org>; "Lena Barkley" 
<lena.barkley at cvscaremark.com>; "Marco Lenis" <matulenis at aol.com>; 
"Abrahamson, Matt" <Matt.Abrahamson at illinois.gov>; "Michelle Phillips" 
<michelle.phillips at frcd.org>; "Pamela Creager" <pcreager at peoriapros.com>; 
"Rene Luna" <rluna at accessliving.org>; "Robert Gardner" 
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Studnicka" <sandy.studnicka at chicagolighthouse.org>; "Susan Walter" 
<smwalter at charter.net>; "Preston, Timothy J." 
<Timothy.Preston at illinois.gov>; "Tony Arellano" <tonyare2 at yahoo.com>; 
"William Gorman" <william at silcofillinois.org>; "Sinwell, William" 
<William.Sinwell at illinois.gov>
Subject: FW: AAPD report - People with Disabilities Still Left Behind In 
Transportation Debates

> Greg has asked me to share this report on lack of accessible 
> transportation for individuals with disabilities.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Greg Polman [mailto:Greg.Polman at chicagolighthouse.org]
> Sent: Friday, July 27, 2012 12:15 PM
> To: Abrahamson, Matt
> Subject: FW: AAPD report - People with Disabilities Still Left Behind In 
> Transportation Debates
>
> The members might find this of interest..
>
>
>
> Greg Polman
>
> Senior Vice President/Public Policy
>
> Phone: 312.997.3673
>
> greg.polman at chicagolighthouse.org
>
>
>
> cid:image001.jpg at 01CBF83E.9DDBCE40
>
>
>
> From: AbilityChicago Jim W [mailto:jimwatkins at abilitychicago.info]
> Sent: Friday, May 11, 2012 3:49 PM
> To: Greg Polman
> Subject: Fwd: AAPD report - People with Disabilities Still Left Behind In 
> Transportation Debates
>
>
>
> FYI...
>
>
>
>
> Press Releases
>
>
> The American Association of People with Disabilities:
>
>
> People with Disabilities Still Left Behind In Transportation Debates
>
>
> 560,000 People with Disabilities Never Leave Their Homes Due to 
> Transportation Difficulties
>
>
> May 9, 2012  |  Lara Schwartz
>
>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
> May 8, 2012
> Contact: Lara Schwartz, VP of External Affairs
>
> 202 521 4309
>
> lschwartz at aapd.com
>
> Washington, D.C. - As conferees begin debating how to move forward with 
> the federal transportation reauthorization, two civil rights organizations 
> are highlighting massive disparities in transportation access for people 
> with disabilities.
>
> "Equity in Transportation for People with Disabilities 
> <http://www.civilrightsdocs.info/pdf/transportation/final-transportation-equity-disability.pdf> 
> ," a report by The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) 
> and The Leadership Conference Education Fund, documents the lack of 
> funding, enforcement, and oversight of transportation programs that allow 
> people with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in community 
> life.
>
> The collected findings demonstrate that federal and local policymakers 
> have failed to fulfill the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act 
> (ADA) and provide equal access to affordable transportation for all 
> communities through federal surface transportation legislation. Among the 
> findings:
>
> *    Many public transit systems- particularly older rail and bus systems, 
> as well
>      as Amtrak--are still inaccessible to people with disabilities.
> *    Paratransit services required by the ADA are plagued by poor 
> oversight, high
>      costs to transit agencies and, and woefully inadequate service.
> *    Taxi services continue to be out of reach for people who use 
> wheelchairs, both
>      due to discrimination by drivers and because of 
> physically-inaccessible cabs.
> *    Enforcement of ADA compliance remains spotty.
> *    Significant access problems remain for people living in rural 
> communities.
>
> The report includes recommendations for ensuring that the next surface 
> transportation reauthorization bill can begin to meet the needs of all 
> individuals living in the United States.
>
> "This report underscores how much the civil rights community has at stake 
> in the transportation debate," said Wade Henderson, president and CEO of 
> The Leadership Conference Education Fund.  "Because of inadequate funding 
> and enforcement, countless people with disabilities can't reliably vote, 
> work, attend medical appointments, or enjoy full independence."
>
> Mark Perriello, president of AAPD, commented that "access to 
> transportation is a prerequisite to full civil rights for people with 
> disabilities.  The goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act-economic 
> power, independent living, political participation, and equal 
> opportunity-can only be realized with affordable, accessible 
> transportation systems."
>
> Click here to download the report in PDF 
> <http://www.civilrightsdocs.info/pdf/transportation/final-transportation-equity-disability.pdf> 
> .
>
>
>
> http://www.aapd.com/resources/press-room/press-releases/people-with-disabilities.html
>
>
>
> -- Shared using Google Toolbar
>
>
>
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