THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AT 30 -- PART 3

VOICES OF VICTORY, CELEBRATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS

AND REMAINING CHALLENGES 

Capozzi said one of the biggest successes of the ADA was the effect on public transportation, specifically public buses.

In 1989, the year before the ADA was passed, 40% of fixed route buses were accessible.

“Now, 100 percent of fixed route buses are accessible,” he said.

“Now, you don’t have to wait for every other bus to come along and hope the lift isn’t broken. Now, they are accessible and generally they are low floor buses with ramps, so there isn’t a cumbersome lift to break.”

Capozzi said there still are challenges – such as old subway systems that have very limited elevator access – and the advent of ride share, created by billion-dollar companies that claim they are exempt from the ADA. 

But he said park and recreation opportunities have increased infinitely, thanks to the ADA.