[NFBA-Tucson] background on the Autonomous Vehicle Accessability Act

[Mark Feliz]

In the event you did not read this press release back in January I have
posted it below to give background on today's event.
Mark

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today Representatives Greg Stanton (D-AZ) and Brian Mast
(R-FL), members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,
introduced the bipartisan Autonomous Vehicle Accessibility Act to help
people with disabilities better access the mobility and independence
benefits of ride-hail AVs.

“Arizona is pioneering AV technology—more than a dozen companies are
testing their driverless cars on our streets. I’m proud to partner with
Congressman Mast on this legislation to make sure people with disabilities
feel empowered and safe to take advantage of this innovative technology,”
*Stanton* said.

“The AV Accessibility Act will jumpstart conversations and comprehensive
work to ensure that those with disabilities are able to utilize ride
hailing autonomous technology. The government should be working to reduce
barriers to opportunity rather than creating them, this commonsense
legislation does just that. I look forward to working with Rep. Stanton to
move this legislation ensuring those with disabilities have the same
opportunities as anyone else,” *Mast* said.

People with disabilities often face unique challenges accessing existing
modes of transportation, and AVs hold tremendous potential to address unmet
mobility needs. However, AVs don’t fit neatly into traditional legal
constructs of driver and passenger, and require policy makers to start
thinking differently.

The AVAA will ensure passengers are legally protected if an AV is pulled
over or other issues occur, even if they do not hold a driver license due
to their disability. It also requires the U.S. Department of
Transportation, in collaboration with the National Academies of Science, to
study best practices for public transportation infrastructure to be
modified to improve the ability of Americans with disabilities to find,
access, and use ride-hail autonomous vehicles, including during pickup and
drop off.

The bill has been endorsed by AV companies and national disability advocacy
groups.

“Waymo celebrates Mr. Stanton and Mr. Mast for introducing the AV
Accessibility Bill, which will enhance transportation opportunities for the
blind community, people with other disabilities, and allow more Americans
to benefit from this innovative and safe mobility technology,” *Michelle
Peacock, the Global Head of Public Policy at Waymo*, said. “We are proud to
support this bill alongside the National Federation of the Blind and
Blinded Veterans Association and look to others in Congress to join our
shared mission to help Americans discover equitable mobility, and to
support the Stanton/Mast bill.”

“In order for autonomous vehicles to change the transportation landscape
for blind Americans, we must be able to access and use them independently,
and provisions regulating their licensure and operation must not
discriminate on the basis of blindness or other disabilities,” *Mark
Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind*, said. “We
commend Congressmen Stanton and Mast for recognizing these critical
priorities and support the legislation they have just introduced.”

“Veterans who experience sight loss and are no longer able to operate a
motor vehicle often confront overwhelming challenges as they attempt to
access existing modes of transportation and infrastructure, on their
own” *Donald
D. Overton, Jr., Executive Director of the congressionally chartered
Blinded Veterans Association*, said. “We thank Representative Brian Mast
and Representative Greg Stanton for their demonstrated foresight and
appreciation of advances in technology in introducing the bi-partisan
Autonomous Vehicle Innovation and Infrastructure Act on behalf of these
same veterans who must, independently, shop for food, arrive on time for
medical appointments and volunteer assignments at VA facilities, or travel
across town to visit friends or relatives.”
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