When technology solutions are not accessible to people with disabilities, the solutions are exclusionary. Public and private industries must work with people with disabilities when planning, designing, and implementing smart mobility solutions to make the products and services as accessible as possible. TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern that presented lived experiences highlighting accessibility issues with modern transportation technology, along with examples of how policies can address these issues. Presenters explored the barriers and opportunities created by transportation technologies and their effect on various communities.

This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committees on Information Systems and Technology and Accessible Transportation and Mobility.

The slides are linked in the meeting materials. View the recorded webinar below.

Webinar agenda and presenters

1. Implementing accessibility policies in a transportation agency – David Shaffer, David Shaffer Law

2. Avoiding digital exclusion: Web accessibility and other concerns in transportation technologies – James Mitchell, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and John Schweitzer, The Stairmaster Wheelchair, LLC and Southern University, Baton Rouge

3. Incorporating equity and accessibility considerations into the design of transportation technology – Kelly Buckland, U.S. Department of Transportation

4. Question and answer session moderated by Preeti Choudhary, DriveOhio

The first 60 minutes of the webinar were for presentations and the final 30 minutes were reserved for audience questions.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, participants can:

1. Identify how technology can solve and create challenges for people with disabilities

2. Consider accessibility issues to reduce gaps in transportation planning, design, and implementation processes

3. Share about policies that seek to advance equity and accessibility in public and private industries

American Institute of Certified Planners Certification Maintenance Credits

This webinar was approved by the American Planning Association (APA) for 1.5 Certification Maintenance (CM) Credits. CM credits provide continuing education opportunities for AICP Certified Planners to continue their professional skills and knowledge. To receive CM credits, Certified Planners should visit the TRB event webpage on American Planning Association and register their participation. If you have problems reporting your CM credits or have general questions about the CM program, please contact the APA.