ePolicyWorks Transportation Online Dialogues Goal 2: Enhance opportunities for people with disabilities to walk, roll, cycle, & use micromobility

Policies and procedures for the addition of micromobility vendors in municipalities should include a requirement that a set percentage of the products be accessible to individuals with mobility impairments, sensory impairments and other disabilities . The micromobility transportation options should include recumbent, tandem or other adaptive bikes. Inclusivity should be required of vendors using the public right of way... more »

Numerous micro-mobility companies have explored the option of providing access to accessible bicycles and scooters that can accommodate users with disabilities. However, the number of such vehicles is extremely limited. This can discourage persons from trying to use them; they are often difficult to locate. As a result, such companies must work to purchase and loan out more accessible vehicles. The blind community would... more »

For people who are visually impaired, knowing if there is a sidewalk, or better yet, having a sidewalk on both sides of the street, is very important. So is knowing how an intersection is controlled and uniformity of intersections. Also understand that many visually impaired people have additional disabilities, such as hearing impaired, cognitive impairment, or a wheelchair. Therefore, collaborative approaches for accommodations... more »

Most State DOTs and local road managers, are unaware of the correct use of pedestrian accessible barricades that are included in MUTCD. Often even if there is awareness, due that many of these construction jobs are vendor out there is no accountability of being sure that Pedestrian access is maintained during a protect which impacts the public right of way or even if the road construction doesn't include the Public pedestrian... more »

Fully Adopting the PROWAG (the 2011 Proposed Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way) into the MUCTD, DOT, FHWA, and State DOT regulations will provide the framework for establishing requirements that address this goal:

Pedestrians: Consider pedestrian access throughout the transportation planning, engineering, and construction process. This includes roadside infrastructure, grade separated paths,... more »

Pedestrian call buttons for accessible and other pedestrian signals must be located in readily accessible and easy to find locations. If pedestrians must leave the straight line of travel to locate and activate a call signal they may lose their orientation to a straight line of travel. Pedestrian signal call buttons must be placed in such a way that they are easily accessible to travelers using a variety of mobility devices.... more »

I support emphasis on pedestrian access throughout the planning, engineering and construction process. When considering bicycles, planners and engineers need to more carefully consider the interaction of motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. Some current designs for shared use paths, separated bike lanes at street or sidewalk level and shared streets result in conflicts and 'close calls', as well as confusion about priority,... more »

One way that I think the disability trip and experience will be enhanced by all modes of transportation is if one follows the ADA and applicable transportation laws that should be enforced and enforceable by all communities. If volunteer and rideshare programs are in place they should be following ADA and all accessible laws. The DOT may want to work with TNC and rideshare programs to enhance and enforce access laws for... more »

United Spinal strongly supports the spirit and all the work that will go in to truly making ACCESSIBLE door to door or point to point trips for every American. But, as long as the digital divide continues to deepen and grow wider with each new generation of technology, more and more Americans will become isolated and denied access to healthcare, employment and the pursuit of happiness. DOT needs to join the fight for... more »

It is vital for the health and well-being for people with disabilities to have the freedom to own a full vibrant life. To create pathways that we can use continuously from start to end without having to go down the alley around back to avoid a staircase or go one extra block or two streets over to enter from the rear. Work to have disabled maps that show how we can go from Pasadena Old Town to the Long Beach Aquarium... more »

In addition to building and maintaining more accessible pedestrian infrastructure, consideration ought to be given to how land use policy promotes accessible communities by making active modes of transportation and transit more attractive and cost effective. Accessibility extends beyond the roadway, and transit-oriented development promotes access to more alternative modes that benefit people who are blind.

Also, USDOT... more »

In addition to ensuring bike and scooter accessibility, measures must be taken to ensure access to app-based services for unbanked individuals or those without a smartphone, and access in all neighborhoods where a need has been identified.

Highlight best PROW practices and encourage state-level adoption of the US Access Board's 2011 PROW guidelines. Encourage cities, states and agencies to consider how new modes and emergency responses can impact people with disabilities who are walking and using wheeled mobility devices; including how dockless bikeshare and scooters may create unintended barriers to access by blocking sidewalks or access to transit. This... more »

USDOT should ensure disability community involvement in all bicycle and pedestrian, active transportation and complete streets summits and meetings. Consider highlighting the benefits for and barriers to disabled travelers' walking, rolling and biking on the USDOT accessibility webpage. Share the video, "Disabled People Ride Bikes (and Trikes, and Tandems, and Recumbents)!," produced for NACTO by Rooted in Rights which... more »

Encourages cities and agencies to provide integrated, accessible bikeshare and scooter options for travelers with disabilities. Options should be available via the same app, locations and times as those provided to the nondisabled public. Attention must also be paid to ensuring accessible bike and scooters options re easily located throughout the system. All apps must accessible for blind and low users.