Disability Access to Transportation Act

United Spinals SecureRide Coalition advocated for the wheelchair securement research study provision in H. R. 7389, the Motor Vehicle Safety Modernization Act. United Spinals SecureRide Coalition met with Department of Transportation officials to advocate for safe and independent wheelchair securement across all modes of transportation. United Spinal, along with other disability advocates from organizations and communities across the United States who are committed to advancing mobility, independence, and full community participation for people with disabilities, wrote to the leadership of the Federal Transit Administration to support the continued modernization of accessible transportation and ADA paratransit services. The letter read in part, Accessible transportation remains one of the most important gateways to opportunity-enabling individuals to travel to employment, education, healthcare, and civic life. United Spinal discussed provisions of H.R.8128, the Same-Day Paratransit Innovation Act, with congressional staff. United Spinal, through our SecureRide Coalition discussed disability accessibility issues with the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association ("AVIA") in reference to its statement for the record regarding the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety hearing, "The Need for Speed: How Technological Advances are Driving Transportation Innovation. United Spinal advocated for accessibility provisions to be included in H. R. 8870, the BUILD America 250 Act. United Spinal advocated for the development of an autonomous wheelchair securement system as a co-lead in our SecureRide Coalition with the Department of Transportation. United Spinal, as a co-lead of our SecureRide Coalition submitted an application to participate in the Department of Transportations SecureRide Coalition's submission Roadway Safety Innovation Expo. United Spinal Associations SecureRide Coalition wrote to the bipartisan leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and it Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee to support the automated wheelchair securement research provision included in the amendment in the nature of a substitute for H. R. 7389, the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act, filed in advance of the full committee markup on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. (ET) as the motor vehicle safety title of the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization measure. The measure addresses a major challenge to fulfilling wheelchair users safe and independent transportation needs. United Spinal, along with numerous other stakeholders wrote to the bipartisan leadership and membership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade to voice our support for the progress made on the SELF DRIVE Act, which was introduced by Representative Bob Latta. The letter read in part, the SELF DRIVE Act would help ensure that millions of Americans are able to access the benefits of autonomous vehicles (A Vs), which provide safer roads, greater supply chain resilience, create new economic and enhanced accessibility opportunities. United Spinal submitted comments to the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration supporting Zooxs petition for a temporary exemption from various requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for an automated driving system (ADS) - equipped vehicle, Docket No. NHTSA-2025-0523. The comments read in part, We recognize that achieving these benefits requires careful attention to accessibility standards, inclusive design, and equal access to purpose-built wheelchair accessible autonomous vehicle deployment. With proper planning and regulation, Zoox can expand opportunities for independence, employment, healthcare access, and civic and social engagement, thereby improving the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries and other mobility challenges. We respectfully request that you support Zooxs petition, Docket No. NHTSA-2025-0523, to enable the safe, federally supervised commercial operation of its all-electric autonomous vehicles. United Spinal, as a member of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Transportation Task Force signed onto a letter responding to the request for public comments on the Zoox application for a temporary exemption from various requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for an automated driving system (ADS) - equipped vehicle, NHTSA-2025-0523-0003. The Comments strongly urged, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to compel Zoox to operate a vehicle that is fully accessible for people with disabilities, consistent with the public interest. Given NHTSAs safety mandate and mission, it is essential to integrate accessibility into exemption approvals because it is inextricably linked to the safety of people with disabilities. United Spinal, along with numerous other disability organizations, wrote to the leadership of the Federal Transit Administration leadership about the need for modernizing paratransit services. The letter read in part, In particular, we encourage the FTA to continue advancing regulatory guidance and policy interpretations that support modernization of paratransit services and allow transit agencies to incorporate new mobility solutions-including on-demand service models and partnerships with ride share and TNC providers-into the ADA paratransit ecosystem. Where existing regulatory flexibilities exist, additional clarity and encouragement from the FTA could help agencies confidently expand these models in ways that enhance service for rider. United Spinal advocated for its SecureRide Coalition wheelchair securement standard efforts with Administration for Community Living officials. United Spinal advocated for its SecureRide Coalition wheelchair securement standard efforts with Access Board officials. United Spinal advocated for its SecureRide Coalition wheelchair securement standard efforts with National Council on Disability officials. United Spinal continues to advocate for H.R. 4116, the Disability Access to Transportation Act (DATA) Paratransit one stop and data collection pilot program. The bill would establish an extra stop per trip program for passengers using paratransit serves and enhance data collection for paratransit programs to increase accessible transportation for individuals with disabilities.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Natl Council on Disability, Natl Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), SENATE, Transportation, Dept of (DOT), U.S. Architectural & Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ACCESS)

H.R. 4116, the Disability Access to Transportation Act H.R. 5663, the ACPAC Modernization Act H.R. 7353, the Magnus White and Safe Streets for Everyone Act H.R.7389, the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act H.R. 7390, the SELF Drive Act H.R. 8870, the BUILD America 250 Act H.R. 9373/S. 4829, the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2026 House Draft, expanding All Stations Accessibility Program House Draft, research into independent wheelchair securement in a motor vehicle House Draft, EV Charging Accessibility Act Senate Draft, improving sidewalk accessibility Senate Draft, All Stations Accessibility Program extension Implementation of P.L. 115-254, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 Implementation of P.L. 99-435, the Air Carrier Access Act Implementation of P.L. 118-63, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 Implementation of P.L. 118-238, the VETS Safe Travel Act Discussions: Amtrak ADA compliance Discussions: Improving enforcement of the Air Carrier Access Act Discussions: Provisions to improve disability access in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, including universal/adult changing stations, disability access to autonomous vehicles, and an advisory committee for people with disabilities Discussions: Travel barriers for people with disabilities Discussions: Improving the TSA security screening process for people with disabilities, including wheelchair users Discussions: TSA Reauthorization

Client expense: $112,137 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: AMTRAK - Natl Railroad Passenger Corporation, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), U.S. Architectural & Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (ACCESS)

Discussing a potential presentation to the Accessible Transportation Research Center on autonomous vehicles impact on the disability community and United Spinals SecureRide Coalitions wheelchair securement work. United Spinal, as a Co-Lead in the SecureRide Coalition, met with Department of Transportation representatives to discuss and advocate for issues related to wheelchair securement during transit. United Spinal is advocating for the research provision for wheelchair securement contained in H.R. 7389, the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026. United Spinal staff, and numerous other disability organizations, met with the Department of Transportations Office of Aviation Consumer Protection and other officials to discuss disability and accessibility related issues. United Spinal wrote to the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee respectfully requesting that the Senate include a National Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Framework in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill. The letter read in part, The AV moment is upon us. The time to enact a life-saving, life-changing technology national safety baseline and regulatory certainty for new market expansion is now. An AV framework is a critical opportunity for the United States to lead the world in advancing safe mobility technology with the promise to expand freedom and independence for millions of Americans in both rural and urban sectors, especially for the nations 5.5 million wheelchair users. Additionally, stressed the need for research on the modified universal docking integrated geometry (UDIG) RESNA standard to secure users wheelchairs in vehicles, both AVS and vehicles across various modes of transportation, including land, rail and air. United Spinal sent a letter of support to the bipartisan leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, advocating for the automated wheelchair securement research provision in the discussion draft of the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act as the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trades Subcommittee developed the safety title of the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization measure. The letter read in part, As you know, safe automated wheelchair securement has been a significant challenge to the autonomous vehicle industry in developing a purpose-built fully accessible autonomous vehicle (AV). The United Spinal Associations SecureRide Coalition, in a letter to the bipartisan leadership of the Energy and Commerce Committee, supported the automated wheelchair securement research provision included in the discussion draft of the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act as the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trades Subcommittee developed the safety title of the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization measure. The letter read in part, Thank you for addressing a major challenge to fulfilling wheelchair users safe and independent transportation needs. United Spinal, along with numerous other organizations, sent a letter of support to the bipartisan leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee for the progress made on the bipartisan SELF DRIVE Act discussion draft. The letter read in part, The SELF DRIVE Act would help ensure that millions of Americans are able to access the benefits of autonomous vehicles (A Vs), which provide safer roads, greater supply chain resilience, create new economic and enhanced accessibility opportunities. United Spinal and other members of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Transportation Task Force and friends submitted a letter for the record for the February 10, 2026, markup of legislation to strengthen motor vehicle safety and advance U.S. automative leadership. To allow people with disabilities to benefit from autonomous vehicles (AVs), the, vehicles must accommodate passengers to remain in their personal wheelchairs, the human machine interface (HMI) must be accessible for people with sensory and cognitive disabilities, vehicles must be able to detect all types of disabled pedestrians, and disabled passengers and pedestrians rights and access to courts must be protected. We acknowledge additional research into automated securement is proposed in the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act and that vulnerable road user detection, including pedestrians and wheelchair users, is proposed in the Magnus White Safe Streets for Everyone Act. We support the automated securement provision and the Magnus White bill. https://c-c-d.org/fichiers/EC-AV-Markup-Disability-Letter-for-the-Record-020926-Final.pdf United Spinal and other members of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Transportation Task Force and friends submitted comments for the record for the January 13, 2026 hearing on strengthening motor vehicle safety and cementing U.S. automative leadership. The comments read in part, While the question was asked of witnesses how the draft legislation would ensure access for people with disabilities, no concrete answers were given. To ensure people with disabilities benefit from autonomous vehicles (AVs) the vehicles must accommodate passengers who remain in their wheelchairs, the human machine interface (HMI) must be accessible for people with sensory and cognitive disabilities and AVs must be able to detect all types of disabled pedestrians. We acknowledge additional research into automated securement is proposed in the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act and vulnerable road user detection is proposed in the Safe Streets for Everyone Act. Access and safety for disabled passengers is not addressed in the SELF DRIVE Act of 2026. To ensure American leadership in AVs and automated driving system (ADS)-equipped vehicles, we urge you to consider and prioritize the safety and access needs of disabled passengers and pedestrians. United Spinal and other organizations as members of the United for Autonomy coalition, which has come together in recognition of the significant benefits that autonomous vehicles (AVs) will bring the American public and to encourage policymakers to set in place a federal policy framework on Avs, wrote to the bipartisan leadership of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The letter read in part, It is imperative that the United States create a federal policy framework on A Vs. In recent years, U.S. states have set the pace on AV policy, and it is long past time for the federal government to establish federal policy that supports safe autonomous deployment. We believe that such a framework will help ensure that millions of Americans are able to access the benefits of autonomous vehicles, which provide safer roads, greater supply chain resilience, and create new economic and enhanced accessibility opportunities for people with disabilities. https://www.acb.org/sites/default/files/United%20for%20Autonomy%20letter%20to%20Senate%20Commerce%20hearing%20(1).pdf United Spinal supported the testimony of Jeff Farrah, Chief Executive Officer, Autonomous Vehicle Association before the U. S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on February 4, 2026, entitled hit the road, Mac: The Future of Self Driving Cars that dealt with wheelchair securement in vehicles. https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67ee365c25e6530594bd40c2/6983967231abcd56d42a55f4_Jeff%20Farrah%20-%20AVIA%20-%20Written%20Testimony%20-%20Hit%20the%20Road%20Mac.pdf United Spinal, along with numerous other members of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Transportation Task Force and friends submitted a letter for the record for the February 4, 2026, hearing titled Hit the Road, Mac: The Future of Self-Driving Cars. The letter read in part, As noted in the hearing announcement, autonomous vehicles (AVs) have the potential to save lives and could also significantly expand mobility and independence for people with disabilities who are unable to drive, improving access to employment, healthcare, and the community. https://c-c-d.org/fichiers/Commerce-AV-Hearing-Disability-Letter-for-the-Record-Final020426.pdf United Spinal, along with numerous other members of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Transportation Task Force and friends submitted a letter for the record for the February 10, 2026, markup of legislation before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade to strengthen motor vehicle safety and advance U.S. automative leadership. The letter read in part, to allow people with disabilities to benefit from autonomous vehicles (AVs), the vehicles must accommodate passengers to remain in their personal wheelchairs, the human machine interface (HMI) must be accessible for people with sensory and cognitive disabilities, vehicles must be able to detect all types of disabled pedestrians, and disabled passengers and pedestrians rights and access to courts must be protected. https://c-c-d.org/fichiers/EC-AV-Markup-Disability-Letter-for-the-Record-020926-Final.pdf United Spinal submitted comments in response to the Department of Transportations request for contributions to the Transportation Research and Development Strategic Plan, DOT-OST-2025-2085. The comments read in part, For the nations 5.5 million wheelchair users, strategic research and development planning can ultimately help in meeting daily transportation needs. That includes fulfilling employment or education needs, healthcare and fitness needs, but also civic and recreational opportunities. It will enrich families and social activities. All this stimulates economic benefits to the general economy. https://downloads.regulations.gov/DOT-OST-2025-2085-0075/attachment_1.pdf United Spinal continues to advocate for H.R. 4116 Disability Access to Transportation Act (DATA) Paratransit one stop and data collection pilot program. The bill would establish an extra stop per trip program for passengers using paratransit serves and enhance data collection for paratransit programs to increase accessible transportation for individuals with disabilities. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4116/

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), SENATE, Transportation, Dept of (DOT)