ADA

Washington DC Metro subway platform with passengers waiting and blurred train passing.

Mobile App Makes DC Transit Easy to Navigate for Visually Impaired Riders

The app gives step-by-step directions and audio and visual cues accessible from anywhere for thousands of bus stops and rail stations.

February 13, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Man in wheelchair in designated area on public bus.

USDOT Issues Accessibility Guidelines for Transit Stations

A new rule aims to clarify accessibility requirements to help state and local DOTs upgrade their facilities more quickly to meet ADA standards.

December 23, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Row of red brick rowhouses with white marble steps in Baltimore, Maryland.

Baltimore to Allocate $44 Million to ADA Compliance

The plan is the result of a lawsuit brought by residents who say the city has failed to maintain safe, accessible sidewalks and streets for people with disabilities.

November 19, 2024 - Baltimore Brew

Red painted bike lane next to floating bus stop and green double-decker bus in the UK.

Proposed US DOT Rule Would Adopt Pedestrian Accessibility Standards

Under the new rule, state and local governments would be required to adhere to a specific set of accessibility guidelines when designing, constructing, or altering pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way, including transit stops.

September 1, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

A handicap parking space with yellow painted wheelchair symbol and yellow hatched space on both sides.

Fairfax to Consider 'Parking Reimagined' Amendment to Increase Accessible Spaces

Parking reform went into effect in Fairfax County, Virginia, in January, but county officials are considering tweaks to make sure the new regulations don’t lead to a decrease in accessible spaces.

August 25, 2024 - Gazette Leader

Nighttime view of blue and red lights on top of a white police car.

DOJ Issues Warning to Local Governments with 'Crime-Free' Housing Programs

The Justice Department has put local governments with “crime-free” and “nuisance” housing programs on notice that implementation may be unlawful when it unfairly penalizes classes of people protected under federal law.

August 16, 2024 - Oklahoma's News 4

African American man in a wheelchair filling out paper ballot at a polling station with American flags in background.

Making Voting Accessible to Everyone

Voters with disabilities often have a hard time getting to the polls. Mail-in voting helps, but some states are limiting it.

August 5, 2024 - Mother Jones

Man using cane for visual impairment waiting to board subway train on platform.

Beyond Compliance: The Crucial Role of the ADA in Planning Great Communities

The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990 to protect people with disabilities from discrimination, but more work is needed to make U.S. communities accessible to all. And planners have a key role to play.

July 26, 2024 - Mary Hammon

Grey concrete curb ramp with small bumps for the visually impaired.

Understanding Accessibility in the Public Right-of-Way

A ‘best practices’ manual guides accessibility on streets and sidewalks, but remains legally unenforceable.

March 5, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

Blurred NYC subway train passing by empty platform with yellow strip.

Report: NYC Transit Accessibility Depends on Congestion Pricing Revenue

The ability of the MTA to complete its accessibility upgrades relies on funding from the upcoming congestion pricing program.

January 25, 2024 - NYU Rudin Center for Transportation

Green subway station entrance kiosk with brick buildings in background.

FTA Announces Accessibility Funding for ‘Legacy Stations’

The 2024 budget includes close to $350 million for accessibility improvements at transit stations.

December 4, 2023 - Federal Transit Administration

Close-up of yellow pedestrian crossing signal button with text "Push button for accessible signal" and diagram of person holding cane, indicating blindness.

New Guidelines Bring Clarity to Accessibility Requirements

The new rules could help bridge the gaps in accessibility infrastructure and ADA compliance, making roads and sidewalks safer for everyone.

September 21, 2023 - Strong Towns

Close-up of black and white Livonia Avenue subway sign with blue accessibility symbol

New York Subway Begins Accessibility Improvements

The MTA is putting its effort to improve the system’s century-old stations to make them more universally accessible in high gear, adding elevators, boarding upgrades, and mechanical improvements.

June 6, 2023 - The City Life

Wheelchair ramp at outdoor train station

ADA Compliance Slowly Makes Headway

Decades of advocacy are paying off, but it often takes legal action to force cities to make accessibility improvements mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act over thirty years ago.

May 4, 2023 - Diana Ionescu

Accessible elevator sign with arrow on a New York City subway platform

New York Must Make Almost All Subway Stations Accessible by 2055, Judge Rules

Another recent ruling is forcing the agency to accelerate its efforts to make all New York subway stations accessible to people with disabilities and mobility issues.

April 11, 2023 - The City

Close-up of crosswalk button for blind pedestrians labeled "button for audible signal only"

Chicago Found Liable for ADA Violations

A federal judge ruled that the city fails to provide “meaningful access” to many of its streets due to a lack of infrastructure for pedestrians with vision impairments at most of the city’s intersections.

April 10, 2023 - WGN

Red brick buildings at Kalamazoo central train station

Michigan Cities to Improve Accessibility at Rail Stations

Four cities settled lawsuits citing a lack of ADA compliance at their intercity rail stations.

February 10, 2023 - M Live

Freshly painted white crosswalk leading to yellow curb cut to sidewalk

Following Lawsuit, Philadelphia to Add or Fix 10,000 Curb Cuts

Disability rights advocates won a settlement that directs the city to improve accessibility on its public roads over the next 15 years.

October 19, 2022 - WHYY

Man crossing crosswalk with seeing eye dog and cane

Opinion: Make Safe, Slow Streets the Default

For people with disabilities or limited mobility, a lack of safe infrastructure can cause significant disruptions, delays, and safety hazards.

October 12, 2022 - Next City

Elderly Walking

Designing for Dementia

Proponents of 'dementia design' call for inclusive design that centers the experience of people living with dementia and other disabilities that impact how they experience the urban environment.

March 29, 2022 - Being Patient

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

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