Road More Traveled: A Journey to Accessible Transportation

摘要

It was the 1980's and there was a grassroots group of activists pressing for civil rights: American Disabled for Accessible Public Transportation (ADAPT). ADAPT was organizing in the disability community and using civil disobedience and other non-violent direct action tactics to achieve goals. In 1983, as a project of the Atlantis Community in Denver, ADAPT began its national campaign for access to public transit for people with disabilities and inclusion of lifts on buses. For seven years, ADAPT blocked buses in cities across the U.S. to demonstrate the need for access to public transit for all. Many went to jail for the right to ride. And, like in most times of challenge, progress began by opposing forces joining and creating a mechanism for solving problems together. This book is about the journey of collaboration to achieve full access to transportation. Easter Seals Project ACTION is but one part of this story, offering here some perspectives about the major accomplishments achieved during its 20-year mission to further Accessible Community Transportation in Our Nation (ACTION). Independence, empowerment, full participation in society, and self-reliance for all include access to transportation, an essential component for a life well and independently lived.