NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commonwealth Transportation Board commends the Virginia Association of Public Transit Officials, the Department for Rights of the Disabled and the many local disabled groups for their cooperative approach to enhancing transportation for the disabled community; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board believes the current program, which allows each locality or public transportation operator to work with their local disabled community to determine the most appropriate method for providing such transportation, is a model for the nation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board encourages public transportation providers and the state and local disabled communities to continue working together to further improve local option transportation services for the disabled under the existing Capital Incentive Program.

Moved by Mr. Bayer

Seconded by Mr. Musselwhite

Motion carried November 19, 1988

The

purpose of this letter is to follow up on our telephone conversation of November 21, pursuant to my request for a meeting to open discussion on the transportation agreement between our agencies.

Complying with your request, I am enclosing a typical schedule of the Adult Development Center's current transportation. Typical is a key word because, as I am sure you understand, this schedule is subject to change based upon individual circumstances relating to mental and physical health. Nevertheless, it represents the best information we can provide at this time and it should enable you to get an initial feel for the problem area.

Please keep in mind that all ADC clients are eligible for transportation subsidies within the Federal Program for Specialized Transportation for which the Greater Richmond Transit Authority has Jocal responsibility. It is within the "consolidation" guidelines of that program that ADC is attempting to reduce its own program by seeking your comments and assistance. Your proposal will be 'considered together with those other agencies with whom we have consulted.

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING BETTER COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN
VAPTO AND ELDERLY & DISABLED CITIZENS

WHEREAS, the Virginia Association of Public Transit Officials (VAPTO) wishes to establish better communications with citizens specialized public transportation services; and who require

WHEREAS, VAPTO representatives met on representatives of the Board for Rights of the Disabled (BRD) to discuss how January 23, 1989 with communications could be improved between specialized transportation providers and specialized transportation recipients; and

WHEREAS, VAPTO and the BRD agreed that better communications could lead to improvements in transportation services for the elderly and disabled communities under current state and federal laws and regulations if all parties committed themselves to such an effort; and

WHEREAS, VAPTO agreed to draft a resolution outlining these goals for presentation to the BRD and other groups representing elderly and disabled persons for their consideration;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this resolution be presented to VAPTO, BRD and other groups representing the elderly and disabled community for their consideration and action; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that after approval the participating groups will convene an initial meeting in order to establish an orderly plan for better communications and more efficient and productive transportation services to benefit all parties to this resolution.

05/16/89

12:01

SEN. WILLIAM STEWART

002

Prepared Statement of Harold C. Jenkins

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and good afternoon.

Harold Jenkins and I'm the general manager of the Cambria
County Transit Authority headquartered in Johnstown,

Pennsylvania.

I've been asked to testify before this Committee this afternoon in support of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1989. My support is based primarily upon our experiences in Cambria County with operating an urban transit system which is 100% accessible to those persons confined to wheelchairy. We've been operating a totally accessible transit system since 1983.

I want to emphasize from the outset that an accessible transportation system will only be as successful as the commitment behind the decision to provide accessible transit. I believe from our experience that unless management is firmly Committed to the laudable goal of accessibility, persons with handicaps stand to be shortchanged somewhere along the line. me explain what I mean.

Let

The very nature of physical disabilities contributes to the discrimination problems which exist with respect to individuals with handicaps. Many people are uncomfortable in dealing with those who are "different". This pattern has

contributed immensely to the reluctance of many persons with handicaps Lo venture out into society in an attempt to join the

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