ePolicyWorks Transportation Online Dialogues Overall Feedback on the Framework

Attached, please find May Mobility's feedback and comments on the USDOT Accessibility Strategic Plan. Thank you again for this opportunity to work with the Department and the broader stakeholder community to develop and deploy accessible mobility solutions. We look forward to being a partner in this endeavor.

Attached please find the Hyundai Urban Air Mobility Division of Hyundai Motor Group comments in response to U.S. Department of Transportation Accessibility: Strategic Plan Framework. Thank you, and we look forward to continuing to work with DOT in building a more accessible future of mobility.

With all respect to the Agency Advisory Committee there is a major component missing.......citizens with disabilities and their representatives. DOT needs an advisory committee of users with disabilities and their representatives when developing national plans, implementing those plans and the evaluation of the plans. It should trickle down and be required of all state agencies as well or no funding until it demonstrates... more »

Intersection complexity is constantly increasing. Needs of different cohorts such as motorists, bicycles, micromobility device users and people with disabilities sometimes conflict. All relevant cohorts should be included in creating design guidance for intersections.

I encourage the addition of a goal that addresses the design needs at intersections more explicitly, considering the needs of motorists, bicyclists and users of other shared mobility devices and pedestrians, in particular, pedestrians who are blind at intersections and street crossings. I don't really see that covered in the goals presented here.

I'm dismayed by how little publicity there seemed to be about this opportunity to comment. I received the info recently (almost the deadline) from a friend who forwarded it. For such an important step forward, there don't seem to be that many comments made and today's the deadline. I receive mail from the listserves and newsletters of the American Council of the Blind, National Federation of the Blind, Association for... more »

I'm pleased to see the DOT placing more emphasis on accessibility and developing this framework. It is extremely important to get all offices of the DOT on board and speaking the same language regarding accessibility issues. I hope there will be training at all levels, for those in district offices as well as various regional offices. At times information from DOT and FHWA has seemed to support new infrastructure and... more »

This framework has great potential, thank you for creating a thoughtful beginning framework for accessibility in transportation. I say beginning, because as this process continues it must shift and change with how society changes and as how our infrastructure and communications tools change. We are in a time of great uncertain change, never before have we been in this place. People with disabilities must be in all conversations... more »

Please see the attached

Three elements stand out in my view in the framework presented in this document:

1. Recognizing the diversity of needs and abilities across the disability community-- what works for one disability may not be appropriate for another; so it is very important to recognize these varying needs in the framework and in proposing solutions.

2. The "complete trip" perspective is essential-- often the barriers are at the nodes... more »

AFB commends the Department for developing an accessibility strategic plan. People who are blind and have low vision face tremendous barriers to transportation to the point that transportation is regularly identified as one of the top three barriers to unemployment. People who are blind must contend with a lack of service, lack of vehicle accessibility, inconvenient services areas and arrival times, and discrimination.... more »

Any plan which aims to improve public transit must take into account the need for funding and prioritizing transit over, or even as much as, private vehicle ownership. Transit is often inadequate due to a chronic lack of funding.

In addition, please take into account comments and recommendations made in a recent CCD Transportation TF handout for its ADA 30th Anniversary briefing. The handout notes that real mobility... more »

Truly innovative mobility options benefit passengers and their communities. Consider encouraging (or better yet, requiring) on-demand transportation models that include wheelchair accessible vehicles owned by the operator, zero tolerance anti-discrimination policies, disability access compliance, and ensure high quality jobs and benefits for drivers, who then provide better quality service. Access to the most innovative... more »

As the nation continues to respond to the pandemic, DOT must continue to identify gaps in service for passengers with disabilities, and should consider highlighting best practices from around the country. The Section 5310 grant program must be fully funded and should be highlighted, including ensuring entities are utilizing all available funds and understand the breadth of uses.

I think that the plan set forth has a lot of good ideas and things that should be considered when deciding upon transportation options for people with disabilities and interested parties.