Metro News Release

For immediate release: September 7, 2007

Metro and the Elderly and Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee Name the Richard D. Heddinger Accessible Transportation Award Winner

Metro and the Elderly and Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee have awarded the Richard D. Heddinger Accessible Transportation Award to Frances H. Lowder.

The annual award honors a person or organization whose efforts have resulted in significant improvements to accessible public transportation services for people with disabilities.

Lowder, who helped make elevator access in the rail system a reality, is one of the founding members of the Elderly and Handicapped Committee and served in the committee for nearly 20 years from the mid-1980s to 1998. She also was chair of the Arlington County Commission on Persons with Disabilities.

“We are honored to present this award to Ms. Lowder for her support and hard work in looking for ways to make Metro services accessible to everyone,” said Christian T. Kent, Metro’s Assistant General Manager of Access Services.

The award honors former Elderly and Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee Chair Richard D. Heddinger for his lifelong commitment to accessible public transportation and his tireless devotion to providing access for all citizens of the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.

Lowder will receive her award during an award reception on Monday, September 10 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Metro Headquarters, 600 Fifth Street, NW.

News release issued at 12:00 am, September 7, 2007.