Transportation Policy

The ADA

Title II of the ADA covers public transportation. The transportation provisions of Title II cover public transportation services, such as city buses and public rail transit (e.g. subways, commuter rails, Amtrak). Public transportation authorities may not discriminate against people with disabilities in the provision of their services. They must comply with requirements for accessibility in newly purchased vehicles, make good faith efforts to purchase or lease accessible used buses, remanufacture buses in an accessible manner, and, unless it would result in an undue burden, provide paratransit where they operate fixed-route bus or rail systems.

Title III covers transportation provided by private entitites, e.g. hotel shuttles. Public accommodations, including private entities that provide transportation, must comply with basic nondiscrimination requirements that prohibit exclusion, segregation, and unequal treatment.

Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)

The Air Carrier Access Act prohibits discrimination in air transportation by domestic and foreign air carriers against qualified individuals with physical or mental impairments. It applies only to air carriers that provide regularly scheduled services for hire to the public. Requirements address a wide range of issues including boarding assistance and certain accessibility features in newly built aircraft and new or altered airport facilities.