Americans with Disabilities Act

For Advice on Accessibility, Look to Iceland
Cities around the country installed over 1,700 wheelchair ramps in the last five years, thanks in part to one man’s initiative.

USDOT Eliminates Environmental, Equity Considerations
A new memo rescinds Biden-era regulations that prioritized renewable energy, accessibility, and equity for historically disadvantaged communities.

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.

How ‘Anti-DEI’ Efforts Impact Sustainable Transportation Studies
Research into accessibility, transit equity, and traffic safety is losing federal funding at an alarming rate.

Chicago Made Hundreds of Accessibility Upgrades in 2024
The city has improved over 200 bus stops and 400 of its nearly 3,000 intersections to make them safer for people with disabilities.

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.

Chicago Budget Fails to Include Snow Plowing Program
Disability rights advocates say the “Plow the Sidewalks” program is a necessity for Chicagoans with limited mobility in winter months.

The City of Broken Sidewalks
Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?

A Look Inside the Houston Land Bank
The nonprofit has built over 300 homes in the last five years.

New Orleans Makes Push for Accessibility Improvements Ahead of Super Bowl
Major sporting events like the Olympics and the Super Bowl can serve as catalysts for major changes in transportation infrastructure and accessibility.

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.

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.

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.

NYC Open Streets Program Faces Lawsuit
A group of residents is charging the city with violating accessibility requirements by blocking vehicular traffic on some blocks.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities
Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

Understanding Accessibility in the Public Right-of-Way
A ‘best practices’ manual guides accessibility on streets and sidewalks, but remains legally unenforceable.

How Cities Still Fail People With Disabilities
Even when accessibility is taken into account, transit stations and pedestrian infrastructure often still fail to make appropriate accommodations.

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.

Let's Get Some Things Straight: ADA in America
The Planning Commission Podcast: Exploring Universal Design

Michigan State Parks Make Headway on Accessibility
Among other efforts, the state parks system leads the nation in the number of track chairs, a mobility device designed to help people with mobility issues enjoy park trails and beaches.
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