NCD News Conference

2165 Rayburn House Office Building

June 13, 2005
2:00 p.m.

Remarks for
David Wenzel, Member
National Council on Disability

Good afternoon, and thank you for attending this briefing regarding the release of the National Council on Disability’s report, The Current State of Transportation for People with Disabilities in the United States. My name is David Wenzel. I live in Scranton, Pennsylvania where I teach at the University of Scranton. I am a retired veteran of the United States Army and am a former mayor of Scranton. I have been a person with a disability since 1971, when a land mine accident in Viet Nam resulted in the loss of my legs, my left hand, and the vision in my left eye. I was appointed by the President to serve on NCD, an independent federal agency charged with making recommendations to the President and Congress regarding policies and programs which are aimed at providing equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities. It is an honor for me to reappear in this committee room, where two years ago I testified before the Committee regarding the Transportation Equity Act and its potential to greatly improve access to transportation for individuals with disabilities.

Joining me on today’s panel is Robert Coward, President of D.C. ADAPT; Michael Winter, Director of the Office of Civil Rights at the Federal Transit Administration; William Millar, President and CEO of the American Public Transportation Association; and Maureen McCloskey, National Advocacy Director for Paralyzed Veterans of America. I would also like to recognize another NCD council member here with us today, Anne Rader.

I will begin this afternoon with a brief overview of the report and then turn it over to any Member of Congress who would like to offer a few remarks, with time for Q&A from the press. We will then begin our panel discussion, followed by Q&A with our panelists.

The NCD report is an important contribution to the discussion on the accessibility of surface transportation systems and services for individuals with disabilities. Inadequate transportation affects everyday lives, including, among other things, an individual’s ability to maintain employment, attend school, shop, and socialize. Certainly, accessible transportation in this country is a vital concern, and this report will serve as a useful resource for individuals with disabilities, transportation professionals, and lawmakers.

Today’s release of the NCD report is also timely because it coincides with the current discussion of the reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act, which will ultimately provide funding to areas of the country where transportation services for individuals with disabilities is lacking.

The NCD report was created with the input of individuals with disabilities and transportation professionals from around the country with the intention of developing a better understanding of access to transportation and mobility for people with disabilities, including access to traditional public transportation systems, private transportation services, alternative transportation initiatives, and the pedestrian environment. The report was also undertaken with the purpose of identifying transportation barriers--as well as best practices--and developing recommendations in furthering the goal of President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative, which seeks to “expand transportation opportunities for people with disabilities.”

The report acknowledges that the transportation industry has made great improvements in ensuring access to transportation, particularly since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. However, the report also finds that there are still many barriers to transportation, which prevent full inclusion and participation by Americans with disabilities. Many transit agencies associated with fixed transportation routes, for example, fail to comply with the ADA, including the requirement to announce bus stops, maintain wheelchair lifts on buses, and secure wheelchairs once inside the bus.
Train travel also continues to be problematic for individuals with disabilities. Old rail systems do not have accessible stations, and often riders find elevators out of service.

Paratransit riders experience trip denials, problems with timeliness, and long telephone hold times. Ultimately, these problems have detrimental effects on the everyday lives of individuals with disabilities and cause riders to be late for work, miss medical appointments, and forego other engagements.
The report also finds that public rights-of-way--including streets, sidewalks, and other public infrastructures--and private transportation, such as taxis, continue to be inaccessible and not in compliance with the ADA.

In addition to these findings, the NCD report highlights best practices and models that can be used in communities to enhance current transportation systems and services. The report suggests that federal agencies responsible for transportation access conduct extensive ADA assessments and recommends that Congress take an active role by funding more transportation initiatives that seek to provide accessible systems and services. Undoubtedly, fundamental changes will need to occur in order to ensure access to the 6 million citizens with disabilities who currently experience difficulties in obtaining accessible transportation.

If there are any Members joining us, I would like to give them the opportunity to say a few words, followed by Q&A with the press.
(Allow Members a chance to speak with Q&A with press)

At this time, I would like to turn to our panel. Robert Coward, from D.C. ADAPT, will say a few words on the current transportation system from a consumer perspective. Bobby?
(Bobby will speak for 4 minutes)

Michael Winter, from the Federal Transit Administration, will offer some thoughts on enforcement. Michael?
(Michael will speak for 4 minutes)

William Millar, from the American Public Transportation Association, will be speaking about accessible transportation from an industry perspective. Bill?
(Bill will speak for 4 minutes)

Finally, Maureen McCloskey, from Paralyzed Veterans of America, will be speaking about the Transportation Bill.
(Maureen will speak for 4 minutes)

At this time, I would like to open up the floor for the audience to ask questions of our panelists. I would like to note that Julie Carroll, Senior Attorney Advisor at NCD, will help answer any questions pertaining to the actual report.
(Q&A will last the remainder of the time)

I would like to thank the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and its capable staff for hosting this event I would also like to thank our panelists for joining us today and offering some very insightful comments. We are also very appreciative about the audience’s participation in this event. The NCD report will be available on our website, www.ncd.gov. Thank you.