Transportation Tuesdays: The History of Public Transportation

When people with disabilities started to move out of the institutions and out of their parents back bedrooms, they soon discovered that if they didn’t have dependable, accessible public transportation then there was no difference being forced to stay in the back bedroom or locked away in an institution behind cold stone walls.” – Arthur Campbell, Jr.

 

Caption: Arthur Campbell, Jr.

Alt-text: Arthur Campbell, Jr. Seated in his wheelchair looking confidently at the camera. A sign on the back of his chair reads “If I can’t do it, it ain’t worth doing.”

In 1984, Arthur Campbell, Jr. and 3 other individuals decided to address the lack of accessible public transportation in Louisville, Kentucky. Every week for the next year, they met and studied federal, state, and local public transportation laws and regulations. They began to show up at transportation-related meetings and meetings of the Kentucky Legislature.

Between 1985-89 they met with the Transit Authority directors and other officials, trying to negotiate a list of things that would create accessible public transportation and meet the people’s needs.

Newspaper Article

Caption: Newspaper, Handicapped Seek Change in Public Transit
Alt-text: Newspaper showing several people protesting for a change in public transit. One protestor’s sign reads “Let us use token not be tokens. Accessibility now!” Another reads “Adapt Now!”

The negotiations were getting nowhere. The group began to call themselves “Louisville ADAPT,” and talked about taking to the street to demonstrate and protest.

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ADA Talks Flyer Image

The 4th Thursday ADA Talks: August

HDI and HDI CATS have launched an ADA Training series to be held on the fourth Thursday of each month covering different topics surrounding the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The next training will be led by Jason Jones and will cover Public Transportation & the ADA: FTA-DOT Regulations on August 23, 2018 from 10-11am. You can register at https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dmuHhROVAnYfsON or get more information by emailing hdiatcenter@l.uky.edu.

Join us:
In person – HDI CATS – 2358 Nicholasville Rd. Suite 180, Lexington KY

From PC, MAC or mobile device: uky.zoom.us/j/8592577225

By phone 1.646.558.8656 meeting id: 8592577225

We were trained by the Southeast ADA to provide trainings on topics that cover the ADA. We are just beginning with a 4th Thursday ADA series, and have a different topic each month. These are intended to increase understanding of rights and responsibilities offered through the legislation. Certainly a good opportunity to increase capacity of providers! —Christina Espinosa-Bard, Center for Assistive Technology Services Director.

View the flyer.

Mark your calendars for upcoming ADA Talks:

Public Transportation & the ADA: FTA-DOT Regulations: August 23, 2018
Disability & Law Enforcement: Interaction and Emergency Response: September 27, 2018
ADA & Public Accommodations: Legal Applications of Title III: October 25, 2019
(No 4th Thursday ADA Talks in November & December)
Accessible Technology & the Workforce: AT as a Reasonable Accommodation: January 24, 2019