Metro Gets an “F” in Getting People with Disabilities from A to B
Feature Story by John Madrid - 6/28/2002
The history of the implementation of the American with Disabilities Act can be read as cause for celebration or disappointment when it comes to access to transportation. One man’s attempt to use D.C.’s "accessible" subway system in May illustrates the many hurdles that still exist.Jeremiah Hamilton wanted to take the Metro to catch a comedy show in downtown Washington, D.C. Despite calling ahead of time to make sure the Metro elevators were working, Jeremiah soon found himself hustling from station to station, unable to exit, repeatedly running into broken elevators hundreds of feet below the surface. When he lost his temper before a Metro employee he received a citation from police.
News of Jeremiah’s story infuriated D.C. groups and citizens. After the Washington Post reported the story, the American Civil Liberties Union began investigating Jeremiah’s story and similar cases. Before ACLU’s probing hit the newspaper stands, Metro Transit Chief Barry McDevvit stepped in himself and announced charges for the ticket dropped.
Metro has a troubling history with the disability community. Many visitors to the nation’s capital comment on the inconvenient and illogical placement of Metro elevators, but few know the reason. Elevators were only added to the Metro blueprints after the Paralyzed Veterans of America sued over accessibility concerns.
Years later, after 11 blind people died falling onto train tracks, the American Council of the Blind and other disability groups sued to get tactile warning strips placed along the edge of station platforms. Metro leaders agreed to place the strips on selected station platforms.
"Everybody I know with a mobility disability in D.C. has a story to tell about transportation problems," and not just with Metro, says Jim Dickson, vice president of governmental affairs for the American Association of People with Disabilities. Taxi drivers often refuse to pick up people using wheelchairs or guide dogs. Though buses are approaching 100 percent accessibility, bus drivers have been known to refuse to use the lifts, strap wheelchairs in, allow guide dogs, or announce stops for blind people.
When will Americans realize that the evolution of our nation is tied to our social responsibility? Dickson says, "Making it possible for all people, regardless of ability, to be allowed the dignity of participating in basic human activity is not charity "it’s just plain respect for their humanity."
Bob Herman, senior advocacy attorney with Paralyzed Veterans of America, notes, "Battles have been fought and people are thankful they’ve been fought. Things are fairly accessible here in D.C. At the same time, we can’t forget Jeremiah’s whole day was ruined. A single incident can ruin much. It could be a job interview, a friend’s wedding, or an evening in downtown. It’s the preventable things we need to focus on."
