Metro News Release
For immediate release: November 28, 2007
Disability Improvements Discussed at Metro Forum
Debbie Brown, who is blind, would like to hear more announcements on the train. Djuna Parmley Mitchell, who uses a wheelchair, praised Metro for being much more accessible than some other big city subway systems. And Chet Avery, who is blind, says some MetroAccess drivers picking up and dropping off passengers could receive better directions.
Those were just some of the issues raised at the Forum on Accessible Transportation Options for People with Disabilities held today at Metro’s headquarters.
“It’s extremely important to see the system from the perspective of ALL our customers,” said Metro General Manager John Catoe. “We’ve come a long way to make the system more accessible, but more needs to be done.”
About 75 people with disabilities, Metro Board members and top managers, representatives of the region’s independent living centers, disability groups and local transit agencies participated in the event.
A total of 14 Metro decision-makers -- board members, the general manager, and the top managers of Metrobus, Metrorail and MetroAccess -- each traveled with a customer with a disability on buses, trains and MetroAccess vehicles from various locations in Maryland, northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. The teams traveled to Metro headquarters and attended a morning forum.
“It really hit home,” said Metro Board Chair Elizabeth Hewlett, who represents Maryland and traveled with Alan Vandendriessche, who is blind, on the Orange and Red lines. “It was important to hear and see what works right and where we need to improve. Many of the suggestions don’t require a tremendous budget, such as more announcements, clean elevators and better training.”
An estimated 12,000 people with disabilities use Metrobus and rail on a regular basis. More than 18,200 use MetroAccess -- a regional transit service for customers who cannot use Metrobus or Metrorail due to a disability.
Vandendreissche said “it was like a dream come true” to be able to share his daily experiences with Metro decision-makers.
“I rely a lot on the audio features. It would be nice if the audio was automated, louder, audible and in more than one language,” said Vandendreissche. He also suggested audio capabilities at bus stops.
Metro will develop a plan and recommendations to address the issues raised at the forum.
The transit agency’s rail stations and buses have already been outfitted with several user-friendly features for people with disabilities such as information in Braille, elevators in all rail stations and low floor ramps on the buses. Metro’s Office of Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Programs also offers free one-on-one and group orientations to familiarize people with disabilities on how to use public transportation, among other services.
News release issued at 12:00 am, November 28, 2007.