Approved by the NCIL Membership July 2000
WHEREAS the need to insure the rural transportation is available, accessible and affordable for all people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS the need to insure that systems of transportation are integrated into general public transportation services where possible by advocating for lifts and other accommodations be made on all intercity and regional transports; and
WHEREAS the need to insure that transportation systems are safe and that drivers and dispatchers are trained by working with groups such as Centers for Independent Living, Project Action, the Community Transportation Association of America and other related groups; and
WHEREAS the need to recognize and expand our view of transportation resources and participants to be creative, integrated, and inclusive, and
WHEREAS the need to insure that all disability-related legislation and regulations within overall transportation legislation and regulations are consistent and coordinated; and
WHEREAS the need to identify the connections between other disability-related legislation that effects people with disabilities living in rural areas (i.e. ADA, Rehab Act, Social Security Act) and Section 5310 and 5311 of the Transportation Act are coordinated and consistent; and
WHEREAS the need to promote the unique rural solutions that are compatible with resources, needs and values of rural communities by understanding, utilizing and/or amending legislation such as the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA – 21) of 1998;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED: the National Council on Independent Living supports APRIL’s efforts and activities related to the Rural Transportation Initiative; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The National Council on Independent Living work with APRIL and with Congress and with the Department of Transportation to increase funding, achieve parity and equality of access amongst urban and rural populations. (Currently on 5% of transportation dollars goes to serve the 27% of the population living in rural areas), and
The National Council on Independent Living will communicates this position to the membership and to all appropriate policy-making bodies.
