APTA – the American Public Transportation Association, has a new member, United Spinal. Thirty years ago we were enemies, locked in combat over the issue of access to buses, subways and commuter rail systems. We won big, first in groundbreaking lawsuits in NYC and Philadelphia, then with the ADA’s accessible transportation and paratransit mandates.

APTA’s vision is to improve public transportation through advocacy, innovation and information sharing. To its credit, for the last 20 years the organization has encouraged its member transit agencies to embrace accessibility.

In October United Spinal will present at the APTA annual meeting, in Orlando, regarding the 20 years since the ADA’s passage- what’s worked, what hasn’t and what is necessary in the future.

Our expertise is acknowledged by the organization that represents the transit industry and its transit operator members, just as we acknowledge that we have many more friends in transit than ever before. Today, a new generation of transit managers believes it has the responsibility to provide service to all passengers, not just the physically and mentally able.

We will serve on the Access Committee and work with APTA to enhance transportation access and opportunity for people with disabilities.

James Weisman
SVP & General Counsel
United Spinal Association
jweisman@unitedspinal.org