Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium

Honoring the historic struggle of Western Pennsylvanians with disabilities to attain human and civil rights.

October 8 Virtual Event – History & Future of Accessible Transportation

Thursday, October 8, 2020, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
From Exclusion to Autonomy: The History and Future of Accessible Transportation in Western Pennsylvania

Register online for this event

 

Remember to register to join the Heinz History Center and the Western Pennsylvania Disability History & Action Consortium on Thursday, October 8, from 6:00 – 7:30 pm, as we celebrate 30 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a virtual program entitled “From Exclusion to Autonomy: The History and Future of Accessible Transportation in Western Pennsylvania.”

Black and white photograph of accessibility advocates Holly and Paul Dick in front of their Chrysler Newport, which was adapted for Paul’s use in 1966. (From the Holly and Paul Dick Family Papers and Photographs, MSS 1177, Detre Library & Archives at the Heinz History Center.
Accessibility advocates Holly and Paul Dick in front of their Chrysler Newport, which was adapted for Paul’s use in 1966

The program will explore the early roots of innovative accessible transportation in Allegheny County, culminating with a discussion of current and future challenges and opportunities.  Panelists include Karen Hoesch, current executive director of ACCESS Transportation Systems, and Holly Dick, former Community Liaison for ACCESS Transportation Systems. Introductory remarks will be delivered by John Tague, longtime advocate for people with disabilities.

We are excited to announce that the Consortium’s short film about late Western Pennsylvania transportation advocate Paul Dick will premiere at the event. The film highlights the transportation limitations Paul faced after he was diagnosed with polio in the 1950s, and his role in shaping Allegheny County’s ACCESS Transportation System as a model for the nation.

Also celebrating 30 years of ADA, the Port Authority of Allegheny County recently produced a 4-minute video highlighting disability accommodations and resources available to riders, including online trip planning, real-time arrival vehicle tracking, how to request materials in accessible formats, and when to ask the operator for assistance. The video also provides helpful information about ACCESS, an advance reservation, shared-ride paratransit service. You can view the Port Authority video here.

Visit this link for more information and to register for the event. The program will be hosted on Zoom. Live captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided.  

If you would like the Consortium to assist with your registration, or to request accommodations, please contact us at info@wpdhac.org or 412.204.7199.  We hope you will join us!