Celebrate the Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Join the League in supporting an equitable and accessible transportation system for all.

The Americans with Disabilities Act turns 23 on July 26th. In celebration of the anniversary, the League is supporting the National Disability Rights Network campaign to push Amtrak to meet ADA guidelines to create safe and complete stations.

Do you have an Amtrak station in your community? You can support the NDRN campaign by visiting Amtrak and commuter rail stations across the country and recording and reporting accessibility problems.

When the ADA passed, specific guidelines and timelines were written for different types of transportation to become accessible. Amtrak was given 20 years- and was unable to meet that deadline. The disability community wants to bring attention to the issue by asking for help surveying stations. The data will be sent to the Department of Justice as well as to address the issue as Congress reauthorizes Amtrak this year.

The National Disability Rights Network is asking supporters to visit Amtrak and commuter rail stations, and fill out a check list focusing on accessibility such as

• Are there accessible parking spaces and is the parking lot well-maintained?
• Are there sidewalks and ramps? Does the ramp have hand-rails?
• Is there a wheel chair lift from the platform to the train?
• Are the doors into the station (and into the bathroom) wide enough for a wheelchair- is there an adequate turn-radius?

You can find the survey online or download it here. For examples of what to look for you can view this slideshow.

The check list is very detailed—if you can’t answer all the questions don’t worry. Do the best you can AND pictures and anecdotes are definitely welcome. (This is a basic survey, if necessary a station can be revisited.) Please send your pictures, stories and check lists to: [email protected].

Thank you in advance. While the League rarely asks for input on issues not directly related to bicycling, we believe that supporting a safe and accessible transportation system benefits everyone. We will continue to work on accessibility for bikes on trains but for the week of the ADA anniversary we hope you’ll help our partners in the disability community advocate for safe and complete stations!