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In this article, it shows the new feature that is now on Uber that allows riders to identify themselves as someone with a service animal. This feature comes after riders with service animals were often denied by drivers due to their animal (which is illegal). Also during this update people who are deaf or hard of hearing or those who are blind or who have low vision to self-identify.

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Uber Adds Option For Riders With Service Animals

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Uber is introducing a new feature to better accommodate passengers with disabilities who have long complained that they face discrimination from drivers.

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Starbucks Washington DC – first signing store in the US

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Starbucks Washington DC – first signing store in the US

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This Starbucks in Washington, D.C. is the first signing store in the U.S., employing Deaf and hard of hearing individuals and using American Sign Language (ASL). It is located near Gallaudet University, and not only is it more accessible for hard of hearing individuals, but it also provides valuable job opportunities for the Deaf community and encourages customers to learn ASL. The store’s whole design reflects and celebrates Deaf culture.

-Olivia Hay

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Starbucks Washington DC - first signing store in the US - Have Wheelchair Will Travel

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Washington DC is home to the first US signing Starbucks store. I visited to see how the store is embracing Deaf culture.

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New Protections for Airline Passengers with Disabilities

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New Protections for Airline Passengers with Disabilities

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In December 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) implemented new regulations to improve air travel accessibility for passengers with disabilities, particularly those who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Airlines are now required to provide annual training to staff and contractors on how to assist passengers with disabilities safely and respectfully. The rules also mandate prompt assistance for boarding, deplaning, and connecting flights, ensuring passengers with mobility needs are not left waiting. Additionally, airlines must handle assistive devices with care, returning them in their original condition, and promptly providing loaner devices if needed. Passengers can choose how repairs or replacements for damaged equipment are handled. The rule defines "safe and dignified" assistance as support that minimizes injury risks and respects passengers' independence and privacy. These changes aim to address long-standing accessibility challenges and promote a safer, more respectful travel experience for all passengers.

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Earlier this year, DOT issued a record-breaking penalty against American Airlines for unsafe and undignified treatment of passengers with disabilities

WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued new protections for people with disabilities in commercial air travel that will ensure that they can fly safely and with dignity.

The new final rule requires that airlines meet more rigorous standards for accommodating passengers with disabilities, especially for passengers who use wheelchairs. The rule sets new standards for assistance, mandates hands-on training for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passengers with disabilities and handle passengers' wheelchairs, and specifies actions that airlines must take to protect passengers when a wheelchair is damaged or delayed during transport.

"Every passenger deserves safe, dignified travel when they fly-and we've taken unprecedented actions to hold airlines accountable when they do not provide fair treatment to passengers with disabilities," said Secretary Buttigieg. "With the new protections we're announcing today, we're establishing a new standard for air travel-with clear and thorough guidelines for airlines to ensure that passengers using wheelchairs can travel safely and with dignity."

An estimated 5.5 million Americans use a wheelchair, and many encounter barriers when it comes to air travel. DOT data shows that for every 100 wheelchairs or scooters transported on domestic flights at least one is damaged, delayed, or lost.

When an individual's wheelchair is delayed or damaged by an airline, their mobility, health, and freedom can be severely impacted until the wheelchair can be returned or replaced. During a roundtable discussion in July 2023, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary Buttigieg heard firsthand stories from people with disabilities whose lives were seriously affected by unsafe assistance and mishandling of their mobility device during air travel, including instances that resulted in serious injuries. One public survey found that one in ten people with a disability do not fly due to fear of bodily harm, damage to their wheelchair, or aircraft inaccessibility.

Secretary Buttigieg has made improving air travel for people with disabilities a priority throughout his time in office.

In October 2024, DOT issued a landmark $50 million penalty against American Airlines for serious violations of the laws protecting airline passengers with disabilities, including cases of unsafe physical assistance that at times resulted in injuries and undignified treatment of wheelchair users.

The rule takes major actions in the following areas:
Safe and Dignified Assistance Standard: The rule requires that airlines provide safe and dignified assistance to individuals with disabilities. It defines "safe" to mean assistance provided to individuals with disabilities that does not put them at heightened risk of bodily injury. The rule defines "dignified" to mean assistance provided in a manner that respects a passenger's independence, autonomy, and privacy.

Enhanced Training for Airline Personnel and Contractors: The rule requires annual training, including hands-on training, for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passengers with mobility disabilities or handle passengers' wheelchairs or scooters. As part of the required training, airline employees and contractors must be able to successfully demonstrate their knowledge such as through competency assessments or certification exams. All airline employees and contractors who provide physical assistance to persons with mobility disabilities or handle the transport of wheelchairs or scooters must receive training as specified in the final rule by June 17, 2026.

Prompt Enplaning, Deplaning, and Connecting Assistance: The rule requires prompt enplaning, deplaning, and connecting assistance from airlines to passengers with disabilities, including moving within the airport terminal. For a person who uses a boarding chair to disembark an aircraft, prompt means that airline personnel and a boarding wheelchair are available to deplane the passenger when the last passenger who did not request deplaning assistance departs the aircraft. The passenger's personal wheelchair must be available as close as possible to the door of the aircraft to the maximum extent possible, if requested.

Rebuttable Presumption of a Violation for Mishandlings: The rule clarifies that airlines must return all checked wheelchairs and other assistive devices to passengers in the condition in which they are received. It specifies that whenever a passenger's checked wheelchair or other assistive device that was in the airline's custody is not returned to the passenger in the same condition it was received, there is a rebuttable presumption that the airline mishandled the passenger's wheelchair or other assistive device in violation of the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). The rule also specifies what an airline must demonstrate to overcome the presumption of a violation.
Passenger Notifications:

Required Information Prior to Departure: The rule requires airlines to notify passengers in writing when they are checking their wheelchairs or scooters that if their wheelchair or scooter is mishandled, they have a right to contact a Complaint Resolution Official (CRO) and to be provided information on how to contact the CRO and a right to file a claim with the airline. It also requires airlines to notify passengers whether their wheelchairs or scooters have been loaded onto their flights (including whether their device could not fit on the passenger's scheduled flight because of its size or weight) before the aircraft cabin door closes.

Required Information Upon Arrival: The rule requires airlines to notify passengers, before passengers deplane, when their wheelchairs or scooters have been unloaded from the cargo compartment of their flights.

Required Information After Wheelchair or Scooter is Mishandled: The rule requires airlines to notify in writing passengers whose wheelchairs or scooters have been mishandled of their rights: (1) to file a claim with the airline, (2) to receive a loaner wheelchair from the airline with certain customizations, (3) to choose a preferred vendor, if desired, for device repairs or replacement, and (4) to have a CRO available and be provided information on how to contact the CRO. It also requires airlines to provide status update notifications to passengers on their delayed wheelchairs or scooters.

Publication of Information Related to Aircraft Cargo Holds: The rule requires airlines to publish in a prominent and easily accessible place on their public websites, information describing the relevant dimensions and other characteristics of the cargo holds of all aircraft types operated by the airline, including the dimensions of the cargo hold entry.

Prompt Return of Delayed Wheelchairs or Scooters: The rule requires airlines to transport a delayed wheelchair or scooter to the passenger's final destination within 24 hours of the passenger's arrival for domestic flights and short international flights (12 hours or less in duration) and within 30 hours of the passenger's arrival for long international flights (more than 12 hours in duration). Airlines must transport the device by whatever means are available to do so safely. The rule provides the passenger a choice between picking up the delayed wheelchair at their destination airport or having the wheelchair or scooter delivered to a reasonable location requested by the passenger, such as the passenger's home or hotel.

Reimbursement for Accessible Ground Transportation: The rule requires airlines to reimburse passengers for the costs of any transportation to or from the airport that the passenger incurred as a direct result of the passenger's wheelchair or scooter being delayed by the airline.

Prompt Repair or Replacement of Damaged Wheelchairs: Following a wheelchair mishandling, the rule requires airlines to provide the passenger a reasonable timeframe to inspect the wheelchair for damage and to file a claim with the airline for the mishandling and offer the passenger the options of: (a) the airline handling the prompt repair or replacement of the device and paying the associated costs, or (b) the passenger arranging for the repair or replacement of the device through their preferred vendor with the airline having the responsibility to transport the device to the passenger's preferred vendor and to pay the vendor directly for the repairs or replacement.

Loaner Wheelchair or Scooter Accommodations: The rule requires airlines to provide and pay for loaner wheelchairs or scooters while individuals with disabilities are waiting on returns, repairs, or replacements for their mishandled devices. It also requires airlines to consult with the individual receiving the loaner wheelchair or scooter to ensure that the loaner wheelchair or scooter fits the passenger's functional needs, as much as possible, and safety-related needs. If the loaner offered by the airline does not meet the passenger's needs, the airline must allow the passenger to find and secure an alternative loaner wheelchair that is better than the one offered. In this case, the airline is required to reimburse the passenger for the cost of that loaner.

Reimbursement of Fare Difference: The rule requires airlines to reimburse the difference between the fare on a flight a passenger who uses a wheelchair took and the fare on a flight that the passenger would have taken if their wheelchair had been able to fit in the cabin or cargo compartment of the aircraft. The fare difference requirement is limited to flights that occur on the same day, on the same airline, and between the same origin and destination.

Rebooking Requirements: The rule requires airlines to offer to disembark passengers and rebook them on the next available flight of the same carrier or a partner carrier at no additional cost when passengers' wheelchairs or scooters are not loaded on their scheduled flights, for whatever reason. It also requires airlines to also offer free rebooking on the next available flight of the same carrier or a partner carrier when the airline becomes aware that a passenger's personal wheelchair or scooter does not fit on the passenger's scheduled flight.

Seating Accommodations at the Airport: The rule requires airlines to establish and provide, after consultation with disability rights organizations, safe and adequate seating accommodations to be used by a person with a disability when waiting at the airport for a delayed personal wheelchair or scooter or a loaner wheelchair or scooter after a passenger's wheelchair or scooter is mishandled by the carrier and cannot be promptly returned.

New Improved Standards for On-Board Wheelchairs (OBW): The rule requires new improved performance standards for OBWs on twin-aisle aircraft and purchases of OBWs for use on aircraft with more than 60 seats after October 2, 2026, consistent with standards for OBWs on single-aisle aircraft with 125 or more seats. The rule requires all OBWs for use on aircraft with more than 60 seats to meet the Department's new improved standards by October 2, 2031.

Individual requirements in the final rule have varying implementation timelines, ranging from January 16, 2025 to June 17, 2026 for training requirements. The final rule will be effective on January 16, 2025 and can be found at  https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/latest-news.

Travelers can learn more about their protections when they fly at  FlightRights.gov. Consumers may file an airline complaint with the Department here.

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Secretary Buttigieg Announces Sweeping Protections for Airline Passengers with Disabilities

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U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued new protections for people with disabilities in commercial air travel that will ensure that they can fly safely and with dignity.

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In December 2024, Walmart announced its decision to pilot a new program “aimed at enabling people with disabilities to shop more independently”. This is no surprise as Walmart has focused a lot of their resources to enhance the shopping experience of their customer in a combatting direct to consumer, e-commerce world. Through this program, consumers with visual disabilities will have the opportunity to access free visual interpreters at the store to help them shop. The interpreters will offer “objective” feedback such as reading signage, navigating sections, and reading labels. Gayatri Agnew, head of Walmart’s Accessibility Center of Excellence, says that this program will allow their customers with disabilities to have as good, if not better, shopping experience as opposed to someone who doesn’t have a disability.

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Walmart is providing free access to visual interpreters at its stores and on its website.

The company is partnering with Aira, a third-party service, to connect customers with sighted interpreters who can relay detailed information in real time about their surroundings, help them navigate or read signage, labels and more.

To use the service, individuals stream live video of their surroundings through the Aira mobile phone app.

Visual interpreters are trained to offer objective feedback so that users can make independent choices, Walmart said. And, since the retailer is offering complementary access to the service, company officials said that customers will be able to take as long as they need to wade through their options.

Gayatri Agnew, head of Walmart's Accessibility Center of Excellence, said that offering access to Aira is just the company's latest move to improve the shopping experience for people with disabilities. She cited the recent addition of sensory-friendly shopping hours, making Caroline's Cart available at every store and expanding Walmart's adaptive product lines.

"The reality is, we have tons of shoppers with disabilities who we want to make sure are having as good, if not better, of a shopping experience with us as someone who doesn't have a disability," Gayatri said.﻿

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Walmart Enhancing Accessibility For Shoppers With Disabilities

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United Needs & Abilities is a quality provider of person-centered services to individuals with developmental disabilities on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

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There are a number of individuals who struggle with speech and communicating on a day-to-day basis. While most technology has adapted over the years to hope to make text to speak more accessibly, there are still many flaws that cause frustration. In 2024, Apple adapted its speak to text to be easier to use and communicate. They updated features enhance voice controls so that it will pick up on common speech patterns of the user. They also took many addition steps in order to insure that the speak to text was accurate. This modifications are essential to adapt the technology will pick up on any different adaptations of one speech. These steps that Apple has taken has shown how they will continue to make their technology more inclusive.

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Breaking barriers: how Apple’s new voice accessibility improvements

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Guest blog editor, Colin Hughes, a former BBC producer, outlines Apple’s significant, positive voice accessibility developments.

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Wrigley Field to Make Improvements for Fans with Disabilities 

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Wrigley Field to Make Improvements for Fans with Disabilities 

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Wrigley Field is making changes to better accommodate fans with disabilities, and addressing concerns about insufficient seating and access. This comes from a settlement between the Cubs and the U.S. Justice Department. The DOJ filed a lawsuit against the Cubs in 2022 because their recent updates discriminated against individuals with disabilities. A key aspect of the settlement is adding wheelchair-accessible seats throughout the stadium, particularly in premium areas, to ensure that fans who use wheelchairs are not confined to less desirable sections. Also, companion seating will be provided next to wheelchair-accessible seats, so that friends and family can enjoy the game.

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WRIGLEYVILLE - The Chicago Cubs have settled a years-long federal lawsuit by agreeing to be under a three-year monitor as it works to expand wheelchair accessibility at Wrigley Field.

The U.S. Department of Justice sued the Cubs two years ago, alleging the team violated the Americans with Disabilities Act when it renovated Wrigley Field by not providing wheelchair users with seats "with adequate sight lines as compared to standing patrons."

Pending approval from a federal judge, the Cubs will make "numerous remediations," including removing current wheelchair spaces and seats and replacing them with ones that have "significantly improved views of the field," according to a Justice Department news release.

The changes will be made in "every area of the stadium," including a premium club in the Wrigley grandstand that will soon give fans with disabilities front-row access, according to the news release.

The Cubs will also remove obstructions along the ballpark's walkways, ensure parking and shuttle services outside the stadium are ADA compliant and train employees working with fans with disabilities before each of the next three seasons.

The team's progress will be monitored under a consent decree that allows federal officials to inspect Wrigley Field "at any time during the next three years," according to the news release.

After the Ricketts family bought the Cubs, the team staged a years-long renovation of the historic ballpark called "The 1060 Project," which added a jumbotron and pushed back its walls to expand seating.

But the project "discriminated against individuals with disabilities," according to the justice department.

"As a result of this settlement, baseball fans with physical disabilities will have vastly improved options at Wrigley Field - on par with those available to all other patrons," Morris Pasqual, the acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, said in a statement. "The Chicago Cubs are to be commended for working collaboratively with our office to find solutions, demonstrating their commitment to providing accessibility for people with disabilities."

The 1060 Project started after the 2014 season and was completed in 2019.

In a statement, Cubs officials said the team believes Wrigley Field was already ADA compliant, with the 1060 Project increasing "accessible seating options" by over 50 percent and adding 11 new elevators, also noting the consent decree the team is agreeing to "does not assign liability."

"Nonetheless, the consent decree reflects a joint commitment to achieving greater accessibility at the Friendly Confines. Wrigley Field is more accessible today than ever in its history and we are pleased to have come to this resolution with the Department of Justice," the Cubs spokesperson said. "The club continues to make improvements via proactive outreach and direct feedback from fans with disabilities."
Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:

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Cubs Must Improve Wheelchair Accessibility At Wrigley Field Under Settlement With Feds

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The team's renovations of Wrigley Field "discriminated against individuals with disabilities," according to a news release from the U.S. Justice Department that "commended" the Cubs for agreeing to changes.

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Consumers with Disabilities Face Extra Hurdles Amid Housing Shortage

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Consumers with Disabilities Face Extra Hurdles Amid Housing Shortage

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Over the last few years, the economy and nation has faced an increasing housing shortage due to inflated prices, affecting millions of Americans. However, this article and video brings light to the extra obstacles this issue creates for those with disabilities. The needs of those with physical impairments are much more specific and unique when it comes to housing. This can include extra rooms for caretakers, transportation to and from their floor levels, and even inclusive door ways if the individual requires the use of a vehicle or device. These needs, while already difficult to meet, become even harder to find during this time. Jensen Caraballo speaks on buying his first apartment a decade ago, and how at the time, believed he was "settling" for less due to his situation. Now, he deems himself lucky that he found a space for his caregiver that includes an accessible bathroom. In today's economy, he explains that many people are not as lucky as him to find an easily accessible home. Caballo states that the difficulty of creating an equal income combined with the raised prices and shortage of options decreases the accessibility to housing for individuals like himself. He also includes that with this decreased accessibility, many people in the same struggle must settle for a nursing home, where he feels they are stripped of their autonomy and equality. The DREDF staff attorney, Erin Neff, includes that the task of finding housing for many of their clients is a daunting task, and that the legality between discrimination in the housing market versus inaccessibility is a growing problem in the country. Caraballo is hopeful, soon, that adjustments will be made to the market to ensure easier access to homes and living spaces for all people, and that the "shame and embarrassment we feel" should not be complimented with the struggle to find comfortability and privacy.

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Just off a light rail station stop in San Jose, California, a new apartment building offers an alternative.

The Kelsey Ayer Station is home to people with and without disabilities across various income levels.

Micaela Connery, Co-Founder and CEO, The Kelsey: Whether you're a person with disabilities, who SSI is your sole source of income and you have almost no money to pay rent, or you're middle-income making $100,000 a year, that this community meets that diverse level of affordability.

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People with disabilities face extra hurdles amid national housing shortage

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Millions of Americans are priced out of homes and apartments. For people with disabilities, finding an accessible place they can afford can be even more challenging. Judy Woodruff reports on the affordable housing shortage for our series, Disability Reframed.

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Major US airlines challenge Biden-era DOT wheelchair accessibility rule

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Major US airlines challenge Biden-era DOT wheelchair accessibility rule

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USA Today released this article on February 19th, 2025 of the current state of airline rules over accessibility equipment and damages during flying. First, it goes over the law that was signed in that forces airlines to take more care of wheelchairs and related items for travelers with disabilities. The law punishes airlines and forces them to pay for damaged items to attempt to force airlines to take better care of the assistive devices. This law helps alleviate the stresses for people with disabilities when traveling and holds the airlines more accountable. Now, the airlines are pushing back against the law and attempting to lobby against it. They claim that it is unfair. I personally think the law will help improve travel quality for people who need such assistive devices.

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Major US airlines challenge Biden-era DOT wheelchair accessibility rule

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The DOT’s Biden-era rule protecting travelers with mobility devices is being brought to court by major U.S. airlines.

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State audit calls for accessibility improvements in Clifton Park

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State audit calls for accessibility improvements in Clifton Park

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The article talks about the recent state audit in Clifton Park, New York, and highlights a widespread issue in many communities, the lack of fully accessible public buildings and infrastructure for individuals with disabilities. Conducted earlier this month, they identified 47 areas for improvement in key public facilities, including the Town Hall, the town court, and the senior center.

One of the major concerns addressed in the audit was van-accessible parking and proper signage. Many public spaces have accessible parking spots, but inadequate signage or poor design can make them difficult to use. Van-accessible spaces need extra width to accommodate wheelchair ramps, and proper signage ensures that individuals with mobility impairments can easily locate and utilize these designated areas. When these features are lacking, people who rely on mobility aids may struggle to safely enter public buildings. They pointed out the need for accessible entrances, which could involve adding automatic doors, ramps, or more user-friendly pathways for individuals with mobility challenges. Addressing these issues is crucial in ensuring that all residents, regardless of their physical abilities, can enter and move through public spaces independently.

Officials have already started addressing some of the recommended improvements. This reflects a growing awareness of the need for inclusive infrastructure and the importance of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The town’s willingness to take action sets an example for other communities, emphasizing that accessibility improvements should be an ongoing effort rather than a one-time fix.

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Telehealth Challenges Faced by People With Disabilities

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Telehealth Challenges Faced by People With Disabilities

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This article was released in 2022 and addresses the rapid growth of telehealth due to COVID-19 and how this affects people with disabilities. People with disabilities already use health services way more than people without disabilities, and there has been a lot of reported lack of information for people with disabilities compared to people without when it comes to accessing these services. Telehealth was made popular through COVID-19 by being able to access doctors without risking exposure to the virus. For people with disabilities, telehealth is often a major aid in accommodating accessibility. It allows some people to access health care without worrying about a building’s inaccessibility and removes any transportation issues. However, with telehealth growing at a rapid pace in society, there also comes a lot of issues. First, only 62% of adults with disabilities own computers compared to 81% of people without disabilities. This leads to many worries about the ability to even access these services for people with disabilities, not to mention that only 26% have access to high-speed internet. User interfaces are another major problem regarding telehealth and its relationship with ADA. There are many different disabilities such as intellectual disabilities, hard of hearing, and blindness that make it difficult to access these online platforms. It’s very rare for these telehealth services to provide custom accessibility features, making it nearly impossible for some people to access these services at all without the aid of another individual. The article also acknowledges digital literacy as another significant roadblock when it comes to accessing telehealth services. The author then makes sure the audience realizes that telehealth is here to stay as it solves a lot of problems, before going into solutions for these accessibility issues. When it comes to owning devices, there’s hope that nonprofit organizations, religious organizations, and public schools could provide spaces for people to access telehealth platforms. There are also numerous digital literacy training courses that can aid people with disabilities in understanding how to use technology. The author follows this up by mentioning many ways these telehealth companies can improve their app and web-based technology to help accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities. Some examples include voice-activated commands, simpler interface designs, and improved compatibility with assistive devices. The use of telehealth services is most likely going to keep increasing, so we need to put measures in place to make it much easier for people with disabilities to access these platforms.

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ADA and Telehealth Challenges Faced by People with Disabilities Accessing Telehealth Services < Southeast ADA Center

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By: Jacqueline A. Wynter, OTD, OTR/L The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that…

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Disney Sued Over Stricter Criteria For Disability Passes

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Disney Sued Over Stricter Criteria For Disability Passes

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In this article, Disney is being sued for imposing new strict limitations on who qualifies for their Disability Access Service. The limitations basically outlined that the DAS was only for people with developmental disabilities like Autism or Down Syndrome, and were not able to wait in a conventional queue or line and wait for a ride. These limitation excluded people with physical disabilities, which ultimately led to a lawsuit.

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Disney Sued Over Stricter Criteria For Disability Passes

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A class-action lawsuit accuses Disney of discriminating against people with disabilities after the company made major changes to the way it provides accommodations at its theme parks.

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New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) investment in improving subway station accessibility through its 2020-2024 Capital Program

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New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) investment in improving subway station accessibility through its 2020-2024 Capital Program

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This article is about the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) large investment($6 Billion) in subway station accessibility in its 2020-2024 capital program. The program will generate 67 newly accessible subway stations stations (including ramps), and improve 78 subway elevators. This renovation ensures that all riders will never be further than 2 stops aways from an accessible station. Also, the MTA is partnering with New York City and private developers to include a Zoning for Accessibility Initiative, to specifically increase the accessibility at preferred locations. Additionally, the future plans of the Capital program in 2025-2029 are to expand accessible stations to all the boroughs, under-served communities, and stations with high-use. MTA also plans to have 95% of stations accessible by 2055. An example of a recent upgrade was the installation of new elevators on the Livonia Avenue station. Overall this program aligns with the effort to improve accessibility in public transportation systems.

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The MTA is investing more than $5.5 billion in station accessibility improvements in the 2020-2024 Capital Program. This historic investment includes 70 new ADA-accessible stations and elevator replacement projects at an additional 78 locations.

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Supreme Court case due to Hotel Accessibility 

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Supreme Court case due to Hotel Accessibility 

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This article highlights a Supreme Court case, Acheson Hotels vs. Laufer. This case illustrates how hotels often fail to provide travelers with disabilities access to their hotels. Deborah Laufer decided to sue Acheson Hotels for failing to make clear if their hotel was accessible for an individual with disabilities, which is required by the ADA. Accessibility is a right for individuals and makes it a necessity in their lives.

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As a wheelchair user with multiple disabilities, travel is unpredictable at best and completely inaccessible at worst. In order to book my trips, I have to trust the accuracy of the websites run by hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and more to learn whether I can use their services (i.e., have the honor of paying them my hard-earned money.) The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires hotels to include enough of their accessibility features on their website that a person with a disability can judge whether their hotel would be safe and usable. Unfortunately, the features they include are often incomplete or inaccurate.

Hotels rarely identify what types of accommodations are available in their "accessible" rooms. At times, I will arrive to find my room is accessible for someone with an auditory disability, but not for a mobility disability like mine. While not necessary for me, having a visual or tactile fire alarm in their room could be the difference between life and death in an emergency for someone with an auditory disability. Hotels often take a kitchen sink approach to accessibility, throwing in a visual accommodation here and a mobility accommodation there, but failing to provide full accessibility to either group. This overlooks the point of accessibility, effectively making the room useless to many disabled travelers.

This "too little, too late" approach applies across the board with hotel accommodations. On three of my recent trips, I found that the shower in my room did not have a bench to transfer onto. Hotels ought to have shower chairs available in these scenarios; frequently, they do not, leaving me no choice but to lay or sit on the floor of a shower to clean myself. My friend Michelle, who uses a wheelchair, can't shower at all in these situations. On three of five recent trips, Michelle has found herself assigned to an inaccessible room despite booking an accessible one. Even in "accessible" rooms, beds may be too high for people to transfer out of their wheelchairs safely, leaving some travelers to sleep in their wheelchairs.

My friend Alex, who also uses a wheelchair, shared that she must rely on her husband every time she travels to fill in gaps in hotel accessibility, from assistance transferring to navigating the room itself. Furniture regularly crowds hotel rooms in a way that leaves little room to maneuver a wheelchair, scooter, or walker. When we have to ask the hotel to remove some of this furniture, it can result in the removal of the very amenities we paid for - a desk to work remotely, for example. Unreliable accessibility makes it challenging or impossible for people with disabilities to travel independently; we simply do not know what lies on the other side of the door, forcing us to plan ahead and rely on others in anticipation of barriers.

The law only requires hotels to make a small percentage of their rooms accessible, compounding the problems disabled travelers face. Twice in the last year, I have arrived at a hotel only to be told that, despite having paid for early check-in, I would have to wait several hours in the lobby for the room's current resident to depart. When pressed, it became apparent that it was the only accessible room available in the hotel, leaving me no choice but to wait. This problem often occurs because hotels will assign non-disabled patrons to their very limited number of accessible rooms to maximize profits - at the expense of disabled patrons' access.

The upcoming Supreme Court case Acheson Hotels v. Laufer illustrates how hotels often fail travelers with disabilities, and offers an opportunity to solidify our right to hold hotels and other public accommodations accountable for these failures. Deborah Laufer, a person with disabilities, sued Acheson Hotels, LLC for failing to make clear whether the hotel was accessible on their website as required by the ADA. Now, the issue before the Supreme Court is whether Laufer can sue Acheson even though she has not visited their hotels and is not likely to. She is what many call a civil rights "tester." Being a tester in civil rights cases is an honored and necessary role. It has evolved over the years, from Black patrons trying to enter a "whites only" waiting room, to women applying for typically male jobs, to families applying to "singles only" housing. In each case, the "tester" has no intention of taking the job or renting the housing - but, as a member of the class of people facing discrimination, can go to court to enforce civil rights laws.

As we outlined in a friend-of-the-court brief filed last week in the case, as a person with disabilities, Laufer is harmed, like any traveler with a disability, by Acheson's failure to provide equal access to its accommodations. Laufer has every right to assert disabled people's right to access knowledge of accessibility features; without it, how can we make informed decisions about where we will stay? How do we know the rooms will preserve our dignity by not leaving us to sit on the floor of showers or sleep in our wheelchairs? Allowing "testers" like Laufer to bring suit is a necessary component of enforcing disability law and promoting broad compliance with the ADA.

Travel may be a luxury, but accessibility is a necessity and a right. Until we make accessibility features widely and consistently available, travelers with disabilities will continue to face barriers and indignities where our non-disabled peers do not.

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Hotel Accessibility Reaches the Supreme Court | ACLU

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When a hotel fails to provide accessibility features on its website, prospective guests with disabilities can't know if it is safe and usable. This is discrimination.

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Uber and Lyft Are Still Failing Their Blind Passengers

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Uber and Lyft Are Still Failing Their Blind Passengers

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In October 2024, people gathered outside Uber and Lyft’s headquarters in San Francisco to protest ongoing discrimination against blind passengers. The National Federation of the Blind organized the demonstration, calling out the fact that many visually impaired riders; especially those with guide dogs are still being denied rides. Even though both companies have faced legal action in the past and claim to follow ADA rules, drivers are still refusing service to people with disabilities. Protesters are pushing for stricter enforcement of accessibility policies and better training for drivers so that everyone can get a ride when they need one.

This situation is a big reminder that accessibility isn’t just about physical spaces, it's also about making sure services like transportation are fair and inclusive for everyone.

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Protesters Say Uber and Lyft Are Still Failing Their Blind Passengers

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At a protest in San Francisco, blind Uber and Lyft users claim that the ride-hailing companies aren’t doing enough to prevent drivers from turning them away.

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OneCourt: Revolutionizing Accessibility in Live Sports 

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OneCourt: Revolutionizing Accessibility in Live Sports 

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OneCourt is a Seattle based startup company that is working towards making live sports events more accessible to fans who are Blind or Low Vision (BLV) by converting live gameplay data into haptic vibrations and audio commentary. They conducted a study that showed that using audio is best for communicating gameplay events, names, and the emotions, while haptics are better at representing spatial details, like where a player is moving. Their pilot product, which combining both audio and haptics, improved fan comprehension by 74.3% compared to traditional radio.

During the 2023-2024 NBA season, OneCourt partnered with the Portland Trailblazers for a multi-game pilot of their service. This partnership helped boost engagement, and many fans even thought they were actually a part of the game. Following the success of this trial, the Trailblazers have now become the first professional sports team to provide the OneCourt display at each game. The technology, powered by Microsoft Azure, uses real-time sports data to generate trackable vibrations and audio descriptions on an interchangeable tactile display. OneCourt continues to refine its Tactile Broadcast through real-world testing and community collaboration. The next-generation device will be fully interactive, allowing users to select sports content, customize experiences, and learn new games. The company aims to expand in stadiums before reaching fans at home.

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OneCourt, a Seattle-based startup, is on a mission to make live sports more accessible to fans who are Blind or Low Vision (BLV). By translating live gameplay data into trackable vibrations and audio commentary, OneCourt helps fans experience their favorite professional sports with their fingertips. The startup is launching commercially in stadiums and arenas before scaling to reach fans at home.

The primary focus of OneCourt's recent AI for Accessibility grant from Microsoft was to enhance the comprehension of live sports gameplay among BLV sports fans using data-generated haptics and audio description. Initially, OneCourt conducted a usability study to explore how tactile and audible feedback contribute to gameplay comprehension across sports like football, baseball, soccer, and basketball. The findings revealed that while audio is better suited for communicating gameplay events, player names, and emotions, haptics and tactile graphics are more preferred when conveying spatial details.

By combining the best aspects of each sensory input, OneCourt developed a pilot product that delivers a holistic and engaging experience. Fans rated their comprehension 74.3% higher when using OneCourt's combination of haptic vibrations and generative audio description compared to traditional radio alone.

This increased comprehension has significantly enhanced enjoyment and independence for BLV fans in both stadium and home environments. During a multi-game pilot with the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2023/2024 NBA season, fans experienced the action in real time, engaging with the game and reacting alongside the crowd. Many fans described feeling like a part of the game for the first time. The tech is returning to the Moda Center this season through a partnership with the Portland Trail Blazers and Ticketmaster. The Trail Blazers are the first professional sports team to provide the OneCourt haptic display at every home game.

OneCourt's patent-pending haptic display outputs trackable vibrations and generative audio based on real-time data from professional sports leagues, allowing fans to follow the gameplay in real time. An interchangeable tactile graphic of the court or field contextualizes the vibrations, enabling the viewing of multiple sports on the same device. The development of a Haptic Language to non-visually communicate events such as passes, catches, scores, and kicks, paired with customizable audio feeds called Audio Bites, provides fans with holistic access to sports content.

Powered by Microsoft Azure, OneCourt processes and streams its tactile broadcast to devices in real time, delivering a seamless experience for BLV sports fans. The co-creation process has evolved from structured collaboration in "lab" environments to authentic experiences in stadiums and community hubs. These real-world interactions have provided invaluable insights, helping to refine OneCourt's product and outlook. OneCourt continues to work alongside the BLV community to build an intuitive and holistic Tactile Broadcast.

OneCourt's next-generation display is fully interactive, allowing fans to select and play live sports content, customize their experiences through fan profiles, and learn about new sports through tutorials. The company is expanding its experience in stadiums and arenas across the US before reaching fans at home.

For more information and updates, visit OneCourt's website at onecourt.io , where you can sign up for the monthly newsletter or join the waitlist to be the first to know when OneCourt becomes available.

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OneCourt: Revolutionizing accessibility in live sports - Microsoft Accessibility Blog

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OneCourt, a Seattle-based startup, is on a mission to make live sports more accessible to fans who are Blind or Low Vision (BLV). By translating live gameplay data into trackable vibrations and audio commentary, OneCourt helps fans experience their favorite professional sports with their fingertips.

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Manchester United launch $11 million project aimed at enhancing accessibility and mobility

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Manchester United launch $11 million project aimed at enhancing accessibility and mobility

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Manchester United, one of the biggest and most prominent soccer clubs in the world, has completed an $11 million dollar renovation to their current stadium in order to provide more opportunities for disabled supporters. The development increased the number of wheelchair-accessible viewing areas and seating for ambulant disabled fans across the stadium. Further enhancements include a matchday lounge, "the Ability Suite," which serves food and beverages. Notably, a new elevated platform was installed in the Stretford End, a famous viewing section, providing improved viewing for wheelchair users. This project was a collaborative effort between the Manchester United Disabled Supporters' Association as well as the Premier League.

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Manchester United provide a more accessible fan experience at Old Trafford - Get Yourself Active

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This news article details the result of an £11 million project that improved the number of wheelchair user viewing areas and ambulant Disabled supporter seating across Old Trafford stadium.

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In this article it shows how the Super Bowl Champions (Eagles) and improving accessibility for people of all abilities. In this they have added a sensory room meant for people who can be over stimulated fans. This has stemmed from the Owner of the Eagles having a brother with a disability and taking an interest in this. With regards to the NFL they have become pioneers and leaders in making their games accessible for all people and have led the charge with new and innovative ideas. Hopefully the Eagles initiative leads to more NFL teams following suit and improving accessibility for all fans.

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Fly Eagles Fly on The Way to Accessibility – GESMV

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The stage is set for the big game on February 9th between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs.

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This article highlights the various ways Amazon employees worldwide are focused on creating inclusive experiences for all. From teams enhancing accessibility through technology to employees advocating for and supporting their colleagues with disabilities, Amazon is committed to ensuring representation and accessibility. Some key innovations featured in this article include Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA), Alexa Person and Package Announcements, and Amazon Scout.

The Amazon-built Fire TV Cube is the first streaming media player to support ASHA, allowing customers to connect compatible Starkey Bluetooth hearing aids directly. Amazon's research revealed that improving TV sound quality was a top priority for hearing aid users. Additionally, Alexa Person and Package Announcements, now available through Ring doorbells and other video cameras, enable customers to receive alerts via the Alexa mobile app, hear announcements on their Echo devices, and view live video feeds on their Echo Show, Fire TV, or Fire Tablet when a person or package is detected. This feature offers customers multiple options, making it useful for those who prefer to hear or see alerts. Amazon Scout, a robot designed for electric and anonymous deliveries, has also become more accessible. In collaboration with the World Institute on Disability, Amazon conducted sidewalk testing with individuals with disabilities. The insights from this testing led to improvements in Scout’s behavior when interacting with people using wheelchairs on sidewalks.

These advancements in Amazon's deliveries, devices, and communication ensure that everyone, regardless of disability or condition, can enjoy equal access to the benefits of its products and services.

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How accessibility powers inclusion and innovation at Amazon

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Discover some of the ways Amazon teams build for everyone as we celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day and Month.

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Multilingual Children with Autism Show Improved Cognitive Function

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Multilingual Children with Autism Show Improved Cognitive Function

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In January of 2025, HealthDay News reported that kids with autism who speak more than one language tend to have fewer symptoms related to the disorder. Regarding the study, researchers chose one hundred children aged seven to twelve from multi and mono-lingual homes were selected. In the results, Lucina Uddin, department-specific director at UCLA, concluded that speaking multiple languages at home has no adverse effects. She also concluded that speaking multiple languages, regardless of the disease, supplements inhibition and learning perspectives. Researchers in this field plan to expand their studies and tests with 150 children and include detailed scans of cognitive abilities.

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Multilingual Children with Autism Show Improved Cognitive Function

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US News is a recognized leader in college, grad school, hospital, mutual fund, and car rankings. Track elected officials, research health conditions, and find news you can use in politics, business, health, and education.

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Lawmakers in Utah just passed a bill that would change how people get mail-in ballots. Currently, everyone automatically gets one, but under the new plan, voters would have to sign up to receive a ballot in the mail. They would also need to include part of their ID number when sending it back. People in support of this bill say this would make elections more secure, but those on the other side of the argument worry it could make voting harder, as it can already be difficult  for older adults, people with disabilities, and those in small towns who depend on mail-in voting. The bill is now heading to the Senate for the final decision.

This brings up a bigger issue about making sure voting is accessible for everyone. Changing the process might unintentionally make it harder for some people to vote, which is why these debates are so important. We want to make sure that all side sof the argument are seen and heard, especially in this case, because it is some people’s only way of voting.

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Utah's universal mail-in voting system could be the first casualty of a Republican overhaul of the state's election operations as lawmakers look to improve efficiency and trust in the system.

The state's Republican-controlled House passed a bill in a 57-15 vote Tuesday that would require Utah voters to opt in to receive their ballots in the mail, meaning they would no longer get them automatically. Starting next year, voters who want to return their ballots by mail or to a drop box would need to include the last four digits of their drivers license or state ID number.

The proposal would dramatically change the voting system in one of just eight states - and the only led by Republicans - that allows all elections to be conducted by mail without a need to opt in.

"We are in the same category as Washington, California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, Hawaii and Vermont. As a conservative state, that is not a list I am proud to be part of," House Speaker Mike Schultz said.

The bill now heads to the Senate, whose Republican leaders had a hand in negotiating the current version. Senate President Stuart Adams said he is happy with the result.

An earlier version required voters to make an in-person appearance and show ID if they wanted to return their ballots in the mail. Senate leaders said they would not support a proposal making mail-in voting that difficult.

"We want voting as easy as possible without cheating, but we also wanted to make sure that we enhanced security," Sen. Mike McKell said of the compromise version that passed the House.

Republicans have sent their base mixed signals about mail-in voting since President Donald Trump falsely claimed the system was plagued with fraud to explain away his 2020 election loss. Trump continued to sow distrust even as his campaign team and the Republican National Committee began encouraging Republicans to vote by mail in the 2024 race to avoid giving Democrats an edge.

Some Utah Republicans say they have lingering election security concerns, even though legislative auditors reported at the end of last year that they found no evidence of widespread fraud in the state's elections. They did, however, find some delays in removing deceased residents from voter rolls.

House Minority Leader Angela Romero, a Salt Lake City Democrat, said the bill creates confusion for voters and could lower turnout. Elderly, disabled, low-income and rural voters may struggle to navigate the new limitations or obtain the required identification, she said.

Voters are requested or required to show ID in 36 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Utah currently requires two forms of ID and proof of residence to register to vote but does not require photo ID to cast a ballot.

All House Democrats and one Republican, Rep. Jim Dunnigan of Taylorsville, opposed the proposal. They argued Republican efforts to fix a system that isn't broken could cause voters to lose trust in state elections.

The vast majority of Utah residents have mailed in their ballots or deposited them in drop boxes. Election workers match signatures on the envelopes with those that county clerks have on file.

Republican Gov. Spencer Cox has repeatedly expressed confidence in the state's election security but said he may be open to changing the state's mail-in voting system so that votes can be tallied faster.

"We have complete integrity in our elections," the governor said recently. "I think one of the areas where we start to lose trust is when there isn't a decision on Election Night."

The proposal would require all ballots to be in the county clerk's possession by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Currently, ballots that are postmarked by the day before Election Day can be counted within the following two weeks.

Other significant election changes are on the table this legislative session.

Republicans have pitched stripping the lieutenant governor of her role as the state's top elections official, and handing those duties to an independent elections office whose director would be appointed by a committee of county clerks. The proposal would remove Utah from a list of 33 states where voters elect their chief election officer.

Another bill would eliminate same-day voter registration and require voters to register a full month before Election Day. Others would change signature gathering procedures, raise the threshold to pass certain citizen ballot initiatives and withdraw Utah from the Electronic Registration Information Center. Under Trump's encouragement, many GOP-led states have of the collaborative system known as ERIC, which helps states maintain accurate lists of registered voters.

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Utah Republicans move to overhaul election operations, starting with universal mail-in voting

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Utah's Republican-controlled House has passed a bill requiring voters to opt in to receive their ballots in the mail.

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Accessibility Initiatives Are Taking a Hit Across the Sciences

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Accessibility Initiatives Are Taking a Hit Across the Sciences

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The article I have chosen to read is on how accessibility initiatives are taking a hit across the sciences. Tyler Nelson, a researcher at the University of Florida applied for a grant at the National Institutes of Health that would help him open and run his own lab. Dr. Nelson focuses on neuromuscular disability and was hopeful that his application would be selected as the grant was aimed to help underrepresented researchers in science. This would include his research on disability, but sadly Dr. Nelson’s grant would not even be considered. The grant was pulled due to the new banning of federal agencies to practice diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. This issue most likely affected several other researchers who were attempting to help those with disabilities and accessibility issues. Programs geared towards helping those with disabilities are now being shut down or limited in funding. The article continues to state that people with disabilities make up a quarter of the nation’s population and are considered the world's largest minority. Scientists in the field of disability research are not only worried for their own careers but also those of the next generation. The article was summarized with words of uncertainty for the future and a hope that people with disabilities are not left behind.

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Disabled Americans rely on rideshare apps but say they continue to face discrimination

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This article was published on November 22, 2024 and highlights the ongoing discrimination individuals with disabilities face when using rideshare platforms. People with disabilities often experience trip cancellations when drivers see that they require accommodations to travel. While both Uber and Lyft have anti-discrimination rules, they are rarely enforced. Furthermore, rideshare employees are independent contractors, which limits their legal accountability. Individuals with disabilities struggle to find reliable transportation that is easily accessible on a consistent basis. Disability rights groups continue to push for stronger regulations and enforcement, but progress has been slow.

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Disabled Americans rely on rideshare apps but say they still face discrimination

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Disabled rideshare users have for years reported having less access to Lyft and Uber than able-bodied people.

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Apple's Newest Technology Helps Users with Various Disabilities

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Apple's Newest Technology Helps Users with Various Disabilities

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The new Apple Vision Pro is being considered as groundbreaking for individuals with various issues. The device, essentially a phone that you can strap to your face, makes viewing technology easier for those with visual impairment issues. In the article, the author interviewed an individual who suffers from Oculocutaneous Albinism, which hinders her depth perception and visibility. Naturally, many people need to use technology for various day-to-day activities, so for those with visual impairment issues, the Apple Vision Pro makes these tasks easier. Along with accessibility features for vision issues, the Apple Vision Pro also has features that can help blind people or individuals with mobility disabilities. Apple hit a home run in terms of accommodating to all types of disabilities with this new product.

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The headset is already changing disabled users’ lives.

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This article shines a light on scientists with disabilities and the struggles they face. The article starts by mentioning a trip taken to highlight the challenges of disabled scientists where the group took a path to "Lost Lake." This was just one of many ways that labs, classrooms, and field sites are not made to accommodate those with disabilities. That is believed to be why scientists with disabilities make up only 3 percent of the science, technology, engineering and math workforce. The ADA set minimum requirements for labs and classrooms, however updating and renovating older labs is a lengthy and complicated process.

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How scientists with disabilities are making research labs and fieldwork more accessible

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Disabled scientists are trying to make research labs and fieldwork more accessible

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Emerging Trends Shaping the Next Wave of Digital Accessibility

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Emerging Trends Shaping the Next Wave of Digital Accessibility

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This article goes into depth about how companies like Apple and other virtual reality companies are shaping the future for people with disabilities to offer different types of experiences.AR aids users with visual impairments by overlaying digital info onto the physical world, while VR offers inclusive learning environments for students with disabilities. VR simulates diverse settings for those with mobility issues, circumventing accessibility barriers. Additionally, therapeutic applications, like aiding individuals with autism or PTSD, highlight the versatility and impact of these technologies.

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Digital Accessibility: Visioning The Future

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Explore the future of digital accessibility, from AI innovations to global legislation, and how these trends will shape more inclusive digital spaces.

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Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive was created to create stylish and functional clothing for people with disabilities. This line was created by Tommy Hilfiger himself, a parent of a child on the autism spectrum. It began as a line marketed towards children, but it received such overwhelming demand that they came out with options for adults as well. These clothing items include the use of magnetic buttons, one-handed zippers, and velcro closures, allowing the user to dress themselves easily. They also have items that have seams strategically placed to accommodate those with braces, prosthetics, and orthotics, which allows them to be comfortable while being a practical item to wear.

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Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive: Stylish and Accessible Fashion

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Discover the latest trends in Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive fashion. Explore our blog for stylish and inclusive clothing options.

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​The U.S. Department of Transportation published their final rule for pedestrian facilities accessibility standards of the public right of way in Feb 2025. Through this rule local authorities together with other entities obtain standardized technical directives to design new infrastructure projects that make transit stops accessible to everybody including individuals with disabilities. The established standards work to improve pedestrian mobility and safety throughout all national areas.

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WASHINGTON -- Today, as part of continuous efforts to support transportation accessibility, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) published a final rule that will increase accessibility for transit users by providing local governments and other owner-operators of the public right-of-way clear, uniform, and technically defined standards of accessibility to guide their design decisions for new construction and alterations of transit stops in the public right-of-way.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) directs USDOT to adopt standards for accessible public transportation facilities that are consistent with final minimum accessibility guidelines issued by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (U.S. Access Board). The Final Rule on Transportation for Individuals with Disabilities: Adoption of Accessibility Standards for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way adopts the U.S. Access Board's Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way (referred to as PROWAG) as the Department's regulatory standards for new construction and alterations of transit stops in the public right-of-way.

USDOT's adoption of the PROWAG means that there will no longer be a need for each state or local agency to evaluate sources of guidance and make an independent determination on how to design transit stops and other facilities to achieve accessibility for different types of users. Users of the transportation system will also benefit from uniformity in accessibility-related design standards.

The Final Rule becomes effective on January 17, 2025.

The Department has taken historic steps to improve the safety and accessibility of America's multi-modal transportation system for people with disabilities and all members of the traveling public. These include:
Safe and Accessible Air Travel

Published a final rule to ensure safe and dignified accommodations for air travelers with disabilities using wheelchairs. The final rule sets new standards for assistance, mandates enhanced training for airline employees and contractors who physically assist passengers with disabilities and handle passengers' wheelchairs, and outlines actions that airlines must take to protect passengers when a wheelchair is damaged during transport.

Published the Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights, which describes the fundamental rights of air travelers with disabilities under the Air Carrier Access Act and its implementing regulations.

Established a final rule on accessible lavatories on aircraft, requiring airlines to make lavatories on new single-aisle aircraft large enough to permit a passenger with a disability and an attendant to approach, enter, and maneuver within as necessary to use the aircraft lavatory.

Funded accessibility improvements at airports through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Terminals Program. Over 150 projects funded under this program are improving airport terminal access for people with disabilities.

Laid the groundwork for future actions that can enable passengers staying in their own wheelchairs onboard airplanes.

Multimodal Accessibility of Public Transportation Facilities, Vehicles, and Rights-of-Way

Funded over $1 billion in projects through the All Stations Accessibility Program at transit and rail stations across the country to ensure all public areas are accessible to people with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs.

Launched an initiative to help state DOTs implement their ADA Transition Plans and to make it easier for the public to access state ADA plans and inventory data.

Enforced ADA compliance in existing and new investments in Amtrak stations and rail vehicles. As of October 2024, Amtrak met its ADA responsibilities for 127 (33%) stations, up from 105 (27%) as of the end of February 2023.

Accessibility of Electric Vehicles & Automated Vehicles

Strengthened programmatic enforcement of ACAA and ADA requirements, including a first of its kind agreement between the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) and United Airlines to improve the air travel experience for passengers who use wheelchairs and better ensure that passengers with disabilities who use wheelchairs can travel safely and with dignity. In addition, OACP has recently initiated investigations into multiple airlines for violations of disability protections, one of which has resulted in a $50 million penalty against American Airlines for numerous serious violations of the laws protecting airline passengers with disabilities between 2019 and 2023. This fine was 25 times larger than DOT's previous largest airline penalty for violations of disability protections and set a new precedent for how the Department will enforce against such violations going forward.

Published a new FAQ resource for grant applicants to help grant applicants understand accessibility-related requirements and best practices throughout the transportation project planning process. By making information on accessibility more available, DOT aims to ensure that new investments in transportation are designed for all.

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DOT Issues Final Rule Establishing Accessibility Standards for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way

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WASHINGTON -- Today, as part of continuous efforts to support transportation accessibility, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) published a final rule that will increase accessibility for transit users by providing local governments and other owner-operators of the public right-of-way clear, uniform, and technically defined standards of accessibility to guide their design decisions for new construction and alterations of transit stops in the public right-of-way.

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Sanford Stadium becoming more accommodating

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Sanford Stadium becoming more accommodating

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This past summer in August of 2024, Sanford Stadium underwent a near $70 million renovation that included new accommodations for people with disabilities. The first of which is the new elevators in the end zone near the scoreboard. This addition allows people in wheelchairs to descend down into the recruiting areas, locker rooms, and other lower levels of the stadium with ease. Sanford Stadium also added accommodations for people with non-physical disabilities like the new sensory room, which offers an escape for people when the sights and sounds of an electric gamey environment become overwhelming. These things combine to give people with disabilities more smooth and easier gamey experience in Athens.

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Many people flock to Sanford Stadium to cheer on the Georgia Bulldogs, but gameday can be a difficult day to navigate for Bulldog fans with disabilities.

For fans that require accessible seating, Sanford Stadium has most of its accessible seating in the 100 section of the west end zone. The area near the Gillis Bridge and under the scoreboard is also accessible for fans that require wheelchair access.

Other accessible sections can be found near sections 236, 226, 214 and up in the 605 section. Wheelchair accessible gates can be found at gates 2, 4, 6 and 8.

Sanford Stadium works to be as accommodating to fans with disabilities as possible, allowing service dogs into the stadium and providing elevators at wheelchair-accessible gates to help guests get to their desired level.

Sanford Stadium is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, requiring ramps or elevators to be in place wherever there are stairs and for bathrooms to include wheelchair-accessible stalls.

UGA recommends that fans exchange their tickets in advance for seats located in the designated accessible seating areas. This can be done by calling the UGA Ticket Office at 706-542-1231. Tickets can also be exchanged on gameday by visiting the ticket offices at Sanford Stadium. Students are asked to indicate their need for accessible seating when filling out their student ticket request.

Jake Branan, 20, who utilizes a wheelchair, has experienced Sanford's accessible seating as a student at UGA, and stressed that the most important thing for people with disabilities to do is arrive to the stadium early.

"I actually think the stadium is pretty accessible; it just takes a while to get places because it's so big," Branan said in a text to The Red & Black. "Parking is easily the worst part. There's so little disabled parking, and it's all so far away from the stadium."

Marjorie Rogers, a UGA alum, regularly attended games but later, due to an injury, had to use Sanford Stadium's accessible seating, which she was disappointed with. She called on students to be more aware of the way that they affect the gameday experience of people with disabilities.

"I noticed that the students in the regular seating stood on the bleachers rather than the floor which blocked the view of everyone sitting in the handicapped area," Rogers said in a previous guest column with The Red & Black. "I never had to think about individuals who were handicapped. I always assumed they were being taken care of and could see the game with no problem."

Sanford Stadium also provides accommodations for people with non-physical disabilities who may need a space for when the sights and sounds of the stadium become overwhelming. This is through the building of a sensory room as a part of the first phase of Sanford Stadium's two-phase $68.5 million improvement. The room is located around sections 127 and 128 and is open to all fans when the stadium is operating.

"It welcomes all UGA staff, faculty, students and visitors to take a break from the excitement of a football game and recharge in their yogibo bean bag chairs or engage in its many activity panels or sensory tools," according to the UGA's Well-Being Resources website. "The room also offers a bubble wall that supports visual tracking, auditory awareness, relaxation and social interaction with its audience."

The room is monitored by an attendant and has a check-in process, with first-come-first-served priority.

Tailgating, another important part of UGA's gameday culture, can also be accessible to people with disabilities, but these are not directly facilitated by UGA staff. The quads, lawns and sidewalks on campus are all made to be accessible, providing ways for people with disabilities to navigate through campus during gameday.

The parking decks that are available on gameday all have elevators to help fans with disabilities navigate the levels of the deck. UGA buses that serve as fan shuttles between Sanford Stadium, East Deck and the Intramural Fields Deck are all equipped with ramps or lifts to be wheelchair-accessible. These shuttles run from 3.5 hours before kickoff to 15 minutes after kickoff and then for 2 hours after the game ends.

Every parking lot on UGA's campus has a certain amount of spaces set aside for disability parking. It is recommended to park at the East Campus parking deck and take the free shuttle to Sanford Stadium. Due to uneven terrain, it is discouraged to park on the intramural fields.

The famous "Saturdays in Athens" can be very chaotic, especially for Bulldog fans with disabilities. However, campus and stadium accessibility efforts have helped gameday become an experience for most people to enjoy, regardless of ability.

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Getting around on gameday with a disability

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Many people flock to Sanford Stadium to cheer on the Georgia Bulldogs, but gameday can be a difficult day to navigate for Bulldog fans with disabilities.

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I chose this article that talked about how May Mobility, a company that specializes in autonomous transportation, has launched a new driverless shuttle service in Peachtree. These services provide a modern and accessible transportation option that would help with traffic as well as make commuting easier, especially for those who have difficulty using traditional forms of public transit. May Mobility is part of a broader effort to help integrate more accessible technology into cities.

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May Mobility Now Offers Autonomous Driverless Rides in Peachtree Corners, Georgia

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/PRNewswire/ -- May Mobility, a leading autonomous vehicle (AV) technology company, announced today the launch of its first commercial driver-out autonomous…

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Uber and Lyft Face Backlash Over Accessibility Issues for Blind Passengers

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Uber and Lyft Face Backlash Over Accessibility Issues for Blind Passengers

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On October 15, 2024, protesters gathered outside the San Francisco headquarters of Uber and Lyft, alleging that the ride-hailing companies continue to discriminate against visually impaired passengers, particularly those accompanied by guide dogs or using white canes. Organized by the National Federation of the Blind on White Cane Awareness Day, the demonstration highlighted numerous incidents where drivers refused service to blind individuals. Despite company policies prohibiting such discrimination, participants called for stricter enforcement and enhanced driver education to address these ongoing issues.

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Protesters Say Uber and Lyft Are Still Failing Their Blind Passengers

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At a protest in San Francisco, blind Uber and Lyft users claim that the ride-hailing companies aren’t doing enough to prevent drivers from turning them away.

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New Curb-to-Curb Public Transportation Systems in Jasper

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New Curb-to-Curb Public Transportation Systems in Jasper

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In this article published by beaumontenterprise.com, we learn that Jasper, Illinois will be implementing a new and affordable public transportation system for its disabled residents. The service will provide curb-to-curb pick-up and drop-off services to its residents that have disabilities. It is mainly for seniors but can be used by anyone with a disability and will only cost $1.50 each way. These services include vans that are wheelchair accessible so anyone on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday can utilize these services and travel around town easier.

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Jasper residents will be able to access to curb-to-curb public transportation services beginning March 3. A partnership with Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission and Nutrition and Services for Seniors, South East Texas Transit will provide pick-up and drop-off services for Jasper residents utilizing wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

The service will transport passengers from their homes to destinations within the city and return them. According to SETT, the service will be operated from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Reservations will be required. Organizers recommend making reservations at least 48 hours in advance. Same-day service will be subject to availability.

Cost for the service will be $1.50 each way. Rates and times will be subject to change. To schedule a ride, residents can contact Nutrition and Services for Seniors at 800-259-4457 or 409-892-0979.

This program is being funded by the Texas Department of Transportation Public Transportation Division Service Expansion Program.

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Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission

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Public transportation is expanding for certain Jasper residents

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Starting March 3, Jasper residents can use a new curb-to-curb public transit service with wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

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Airline Improves Mobility Access on Planes

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Airline Improves Mobility Access on Planes

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This article by BBC talks about Aurigney, a Guernsey-based airline, who has recently been working to fit new seats into their planes, to improve accessibility and comfort for people who have limited mobility. Additionally, all the arm rests are now adjustable and there are new disability aids in the bathrooms. There are also planning to fit new, additional ramps into their planes. Dave Cox, the head of Ground Operations, stated that they serve about 500 people with limited mobility per month and they are working to ensure their comfort and enhance their travel experience on their planes.

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Aurigny invests £300,000 to improve passenger mobility access

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Aurigny says accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility has been improved.