The ADA, passed in 1990, is a comprehensive federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. Everyday, NADTC acknowledges and celebrates the accomplishments of people with disabilities and the human services transportation providers that support them. NADTC has produced several reports and blogs centered around the ADA and showcases the amazing efforts of transportation providers around the country.

July 26th marks the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and serves as a way to acknowledge Disability Pride Month and the amazing progress that has been made for the lives of people with disabilities.

On July 26 at 2 pm EST, the U.S. DOT and Transportation Secretary Buttigieg will host a virtual celebration of Disability Pride Month and the 32nd anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. The event will include a presentation on the Department’s recently issued Air Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights as well as other exciting developments in transportation that benefit people with disabilities.

During the past year, Jeremy completed the required coursework and successfully passed the final exam to become a Certified ADA Coordinator. This certification allows NADTC staff to provide top-notch technical assistance and guidance to older adults and people with disabilities, ensuring transportation programs are accessible for all users.

Facilitated by the Great Plains ADA Center and Accredited by the University of Missouri, the ADA Coordinator Training Certification Program (ACTCP) provides foundational knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

On July 13 in Austin, Texas, NADTC hosted a Post-Conference Forum on Transportation Partnerships and Practices in Advancing Transportation Equity following the USAging Annual Conference and Tradeshow. Nearly three dozen attendees heard from a panel of transportation experts in Texas about their promising equity and partnership practices. Panelists discussed the role diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) plays in committees, access, and targeted outreach. Panelists provided examples of successful engagement strategies like collaborating with libraries, the Union of Black Pastors, and human services agencies working with racial, ethnic, and immigrant populations.

Creation of a full-time position for community engagement and a commitment to equity “one person, one community at a time,” implemented by a public transit agency, were discussed as promising practices.

Additional information about this and other transportation sessions presented at the USAging Annual Conference will be available soon on the conference website.  

Join us on October 11, 2022 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET for an #AllOnboard4MentalHealth Twitter Chat that will discuss best practices and equitable strategies for serving riders with mental health issues, including dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. The chat will be moderated by Heather Edmonds and Jane Mahoney of the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC), Angie Jones, District Manager, Grant County Transportation District (People Mover), along with National RTAP staff.

The Federal Transit Administration's Office of Program Management is hiring a Transportation Program Analyst, based in Washington, DC. The qualified candidate will assist in the management of competitive and formula grant programs and oversight of FTA's Technical Assistance centers that support urban and rural transit programs across the country. Experience analyzing and implementing grants, as well as transit industry knowledge, is a plus. Click here for additional details and how to apply.

The U.S. DOT's Equity Action Plan addresses four focus areas - wealth creation, power of community, interventions and expanding access to how transportation programs are delivered. As a key component of the Equity Action Plan, the U.S. DOT has established the Thriving Communities Initiative. This program will provide technical assistance, in partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and support under-resourced communities to identify, develop and deliver transformative transportation projects; including community planning and development of infrastructure projects that increase affordable transportation options, enhance economic opportunity, reduce environmental burdens, improve quality of life, and provide much needed benefits to underserved communities.

A newly developed resource through this initiative, the DOT Navigator, is a one-stop-shop to access an array of resources across the Department that are designed to provide technical assistance and help grantees navigate the grant application, transportation planning, project delivery, funding and financing, and implementation processes. The navigator will provide new grantees valuable insights and fact-sheets to understand the key requirements for successful applications.