Page 4 - Mobility Management, July/August 2022

editor’s note
Say Something
The week this issue went to press, the Department of Transportation (DOT) held a virtual public meeting on the July 26 anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The agenda included acces-
sibility updates on traveling by plane, train, buses, and autonomous vehicles, and was led by Sec. Pete Buttigieg.
The meeting was at lunchtime, so I figured I could watch it while I ate. I brought a bowl of soup to my
desk. I expected a meeting full of easy statements such as “Discrimination is bad, and accessibility is good.” I thought the meeting was more about optics on the ADA’s anniversary than about meaningful conversation.
Buttigieg kicked off the meeting by noting that the ADA “expanded rights for one in four people in our country” — which, while an important statistic, was along the lines of
what I’d anticipated hearing.
“It’s worth remembering,” Buttigieg continued, “that at the time it was
being debated, the ADA faced a great deal of opposition. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said it would have ‘a disastrous impact on many small busi- nesses struggling to survive,’” though today, he added, “It’s hard to imagine life without the ADA.”
Then came the statement that made me put down my spoon.
Buttigieg: “No one should have to choose between dehydrating them- selves and avoiding air travel altogether.”
Me: “How does he know about dehydration? How does he know that?!?”
Avoiding food and drink prior to and while flying is a common, if risky, strategy by passengers unable to access airplane lavatories. It’s well known in this industry, but not something that should be noticeable to casual onlookers. So how did Buttigieg know?
Well, someone probably told him. Maybe it came through a staffer; maybe he heard directly from a person who uses a wheelchair and has intentionally and dangerously dehydrated before flying. Someone in the know said some- thing, and that message got to the Secretary of the DOT.
My ignored soup turned cold. The meeting was that encouraging.
On Sept. 14, NCART and NRRTS are hosting a virtual Congressional Fly-In. Participants will be grouped into teams by state and will meet via videocon- ference with legislators and/or their staffers. Registration is free, and training will be provided, so you’ll get talking points and the opportunity to practice them with your state delegation.
What Buttigieg said in that DOT meeting is proof our message is being heard. But we cannot know which meeting, which e-mail, which letter or phone call will be the one that makes a difference. The best we can do as an industry is to keep the drumbeat constant. Professional, approachable, and unrelenting.
Register now: 2022-virtual-crt-congressional.constantcontactsites.com. m
Laurie Watanabe, Editor lwatanabe@1105media.com @CRTeditor
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July-August 2022
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