[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 103 (Monday, July 21, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7770-S7771]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KERRY:
  S. 1041. A bill to amend section 5314 of title 49, United States 
Code, to assist compliance with the transit provisions of the Americans 
with Disabilities Act of 1990; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, 
and Urban Affairs.


            THE ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION ACTION ACT OF 1997

  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Accessible 
Transportation Act of 1997. This legislation will continue the progress 
we have made improving access to transportation services for 
individuals with disabilities.
  There are 25 million Americans with disabilities who are transit 
dependent. Access to transportation for these Americans is the critical 
factor that determines whether they can pursue opportunities in 
employment, education, housing, and recreation. I believe that assuring 
access to transportation is critical to promoting maximum independence 
and achieving

[[Page S7771]]

meaningful integration for persons with disabilities.
  In 1987, Congress created Project Action to promote transportation 
accessibility and to enhance cooperation between transit providers and 
the disability community.
  In 1990, Congress passed the Americans With Disabilities Act [ADA] to 
ensure that every American has access to transportation, buildings and 
other necessary locations, services, and activities which are essential 
to lead an active life. The ADA guarantees equality of accessibility 
for all Americans regardless of the challenges that their disabilities 
present.
  In order to facilitate the implementation of the transportation 
provisions included in ADA, I sponsored the Accessible Transportation 
Action Act of 1991 which was included in the Intermodal Surface 
Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. This legislation authorized 
funding of $2 million each year for the Easter Seals Society to 
undertake a national program of research, demonstrations, and technical 
assistance to provide new solutions to the problems of providing 
transportation for persons with disabilities. Project Action has become 
the Nation's foremost resource for information and guidance on 
implementing the transportation provisions of ADA.
  The National Easter Seals Society has administered Project Action and 
has assisted in building strong working relationships between transit 
operators, disability organizations, and the U.S. Department of 
Transportation in order to find cost-effective ways to promote 
transportation accessibility.
  Project Action has developed an impressive resource center of 
informational materials for a wide variety of transit and disability 
community audiences on the nature and progress of ADA implementation. 
It has initiated consumer campaigns to insure that people with 
disabilities are aware of their rights.
  The positive effects that have developed from Project Action 
activities have been impressive. Nationwide bus fleet accessibility has 
grown. Rail station access has increased. Paratransit services have 
improved and expanded. And the disability and transit communities have 
learned how to work together to promote accessible transportation.
  However, there are a number of challenges which remain in order to 
assure that the disabled have full access to transportation services. 
The chief concern is how to insure the implementation of ADA in the 
most cost-effective manner. Paratransit costs are high and resources 
are limited. At the same time, overall Federal assistance for 
transportation and mass transit has been limited. America needs Project 
Action to continue to find innovative ways to allow every disabled 
person to gain equal access to our Nation's public transportation 
systems.
  Therefore, I am today introducing legislation which will continue the 
Project Action for the next 5 fiscal years to continue the vital 
process of implementing the transportation facets of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act.
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