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Things that are going on that you might want to know. |
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FTA Publishes
Draft Circulars for Human Service Programs
Information about the Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA) The Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) includes three human service transportation programs administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA): The Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities Program, the Job Access Reverse Commute Program, and the New Freedom Program. These three programs provide formula funding for States and communities and are targeted to enhance transportation services for specific populations that depend on alternative transportation options for their day to day mobility. During the past year, FTA has been actively seeking input from stakeholders across the country regarding implementation strategies. As a result, FTA has developed and released Draft Circular Guidance for each of these three programs: Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities; Job Access and Reverse Commute; and New Freedom. FTA has also issued a Federal Register Notice outlining the responses to comments submitted regarding an earlier proposed notice. FTA encourages stakeholders to submit comments to http://dms.dot.gov/ (Docket Number: 24037). Public comments will be accepted through November 6, 2006.This is provided to you by United We Ride. Visit us on the web at http://www.unitedweride.gov/.GovDelivery, Inc. sending on behalf of United We Ride * Office of Information Technology * 400 7th Street, SW * Washington, DC 20590* 202-366-4000
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Reasonable Accommodations
for Attorneys with Disabilities
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has released a guide on reasonable accommodations for attorneys with disabilities. "This fact sheet reviews many of the most common types of reasonable accommodations that lawyers with disabilities may need. Some of these accommodations, such as modified schedules and telecommuting, are often used by legal employers generally to attract and retain attorneys. Many legal employers have recognized the importance of flexibility to remain competitive in hiring the best attorneys. For these employers, providing reasonable accommodation will be an extension of this approach. In addition, providing reasonable accommodation for qualified attorneys with disabilities serves the larger goal of enabling legal employers to diversify their workforce." The guide provides examples of reasonable accommodations, as well as situations in which accommodations need to be requested and how an employer could be approached for obtaining the same. Further examples are provided regarding enforcement, management responsibilities and when a request would constitute an undue hardship. To access the guide, use the following link:
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NEW YORK CITY TAXI AND LIMOUSINE COMMISSION Notice of Promulgation of Rules Notice is hereby given in accordance with section 1043(e) of the Charter of the City of New York (“Charter”) that the Taxi and Limousine Commission (“TLC”) promulgates rules governing accessible taxicabs. These rules are promulgated pursuant to sections 1043 and 2303(b)(11) of the Charter and sections 19-503 and 19-532(b) of the Administrative Code of the City of New York. These rules were published for public comment in The City Record on April 6, 2006. A public hearing on these proposed rules was held by the TLC at its offices at 40 Rector Street, 5th Floor, New York, New York 10006 on May 11, 2006. Pursuant to section 1043(e)(1)(c) of the Charter, these rules will take effect 30 days following the publication in The City Record. Section 1. Title 35, chapter 3 of the Rules of the City of New York is amended by adding a new section 3-03.2, to read as follows: New material is underscored. §3-03.2 Accessible Taxicab Specifications. (a) Definitions. For purposes of this section: (1) The term “accessible taxicab” shall refer to a taxicab that complies with federal regulations promulgated pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act applicable to vans under 22 feet in length, by the federal Department of Transportation, in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, parts 37 and 38, and by the federal Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, in Code of Federal Regulations, title 36, sections 1192.23 et seq., and the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, part 571, that is hacked-up, as that term is defined in section 3-01(a) of this chapter, to an accessible medallion or any other medallion on or after June 25, 2006. (2) The term “OEM” shall refer to the original equipment manufacturer of the accessible taxicab who either manufactures the accessible taxicab in compliance with the specifications in subdivisions (c) and (d) of this section or manufactures the accessible taxicab such that the chassis complies with the specifications in subdivision (c) of this section and approves a second-stage manufacturer who modifies the vehicle to comply with the specifications of subdivision (d) of this section. (b) An accessible taxicab shall be approved for hack-up if: (1) It is a vehicle other than a van the chassis for which as originally manufactured is designed to seat eight or more persons, a bus, or a minibus; (2) It is capable of transporting at least one passenger using a common wheelchair as defined in Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 37.3; (3) As presented for hack-up, it does not seat more than five passengers in all; and (4) It complies with the requirements stated in subdivisions (c) and (d) of this section, and all other requirements for hack-up that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section; provided, however, that an accessible taxicab that is also a hybrid electric vehicle must also comply with the requirements stated in section 3-03.1 of this chapter. (c) The chassis of the accessible taxicab as originally manufactured must meet the following general OEM specifications: (1) The maximum horsepower shall be 240; (2) The suspension shall utilize the OEM’s suspension and steering components; and (3) No bumper modifications are allowed. (d) The accessible taxicab as manufactured by the OEM or as modified by an OEM- approved second-stage manufacturer must meet the following specifications: (1) The minimum ground clearance (measured from frame, loaded to gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)) shall be 5 inches; (2) The minimum passenger compartment length (measured from rear of driver’s seat base to rear seat base) shall be 56 inches; (3) The OEM floor of the accessible taxicab, if lowered, shall be lowered from the base of the firewall to the area immediately in front of the rear axle; (4) If a lowered floor assembly is used in the accessible taxicab, it shall be stainless steel (16 gauge minimum), and shall meet or exceed the 1000 hour salt spray rating; (5) If a lowered floor assembly is used in the accessible taxicab, a vapor-insulating barrier of ½ inch marine grade plywood shall be applied over the lowered metal floor and thoroughly secured; (6) The wheelchair ramp shall not block any part of the door or glass while in the stowed position; (7) The wheelchair securement system shall be provided to hold a wheelchair or wheelchairs and shall be the system known as Q straint QRT Standard or equal; (8) No anchor points shall project more than 1/8 of an inch above the finished floor; (9) If the accessible taxicab has a middle fold-up passenger seat, it shall have a folding mechanism and base plate and shall meet the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 207, Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, section 571.207; (10) Any modifications to the rear air conditioning must be approved by the OEM; (11) Any and all electrical wiring in the accessible taxicab, other than as provided by OEM who manufactured the chassis, shall be PVC or better insulated and color coded for positive identification; and (12) The back-up alarm in the accessible taxicab shall be an electrically operated device that produces an intermittent audible signal when the accessible taxicab’s transmission is shifted to reverse. (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 3-01(f) and 3-02 of this chapter, the retirement date for an accessible taxicab shall be determined as follows: (1) An accessible taxicab which is double-shifted and not driven by at least one long-term driver, as defined in section 1-01 of this title, for any period of time after hack-up, must be retired from taxicab service and replaced no later than 36 months after the vehicle was hacked-up; (2) Any other accessible taxicab must be retired from taxicab service and replaced no later than 60 months after the vehicle was hacked-up; and (3) An accessible taxicab hacked-up pursuant to this section shall not be eligible for any extension of the retirement dates provided in this paragraph. STATEMENT OF BASIS AND PURPOSE The rules provide specifications for taxicabs to be used with accessible medallions pursuant to section 19-532(b) of the Administrative Code of the City of New York. The specifications are applicable to taxicabs that are hacked-up for use with accessible and other medallions on or after June 25, 2006. The specifications incorporate federal regulations promulgated pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”) applicable to vans under 22 feet in length, by the federal Department of Transportation, Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, parts 37 and 38, and by the federal Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, Code of Federal Regulations, title 36, sections 1192.23 et seq. The purpose of the rules is to ensure that accessible taxicabs are accessible to passengers who use wheelchairs The rules require that an accessible taxicab be a vehicle other than a van the chassis for which as originally manufactured is designed to seat eight or more persons, a bus, or a minibus. The vehicle must meet the specifications either after original manufacture or after modification by a second-stage manufacturer that is approved by the original manufacturer. The Taxi and Limousine Commission staff has identified two vehicles currently in production that meet the specifications – the Chevrolet Uplander, as modified by Eldorado National and sold as the Amerivan PT, and as modified by the Braun Corporation and sold as the Braun Entervan.
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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
PR- 166-06 May 23, 2006 MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCE EXPANSION OF WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE AND ALTERNATIVE FUEL AND HYBRID TAXIS Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Taxi & Limousine Commissioner/Chair Matthew W. Daus and Council Member John Liu, Chair of the Transportation Committee, today announced that they have reached an agreement to significantly increase the number of wheelchair accessible and alternative fuel taxi medallions on New York City's streets. Tomorrow, the City Council will vote on Intro 339-A, legislation that will allow for the current sale of 254 alternative-fuel taxi medallions and 54 wheelchair accessible taxi medallions. The legislation will also establish that at least 150 medallions will be earmarked for disabled accessible vehicles at next medallion sale, "I am proud to partner with the Council to increase the number of hybrid, alternative fuel and wheelchair accessible taxis," said Mayor Bloomberg. "All New Yorkers deserve access to our City's yellow cabs and increasing the number of hybrid and alternative fuel taxis means cleaner air and greater energy independence." "While we support the Mayor's call to make our City more environmentally-friendly, it's also important that taxi cabs are accessible to as many New Yorkers as possible," said Speaker Quinn. "By working together with the Mayor's Office, the State Assembly and State Senate, we will go from 27 wheelchair accessible taxis to 231. We have a responsibility to make sure that all New Yorkers, especially individuals with disabilities and senior citizens, can get around town easily. By adding 204 wheelchair accessible taxis this year, we are taking a step toward our ultimate goal of making every taxi in New York wheelchair accessible." Following this year's medallion sale, the City Council and the Administration will work with members of the State Assembly and State Senate to fast track the sale of an additional 150 wheelchair accessible taxi medallions, and will get those vehicles on the streets in the coming months. In total, the City will increase the number of wheelchair accessible taxis to 231 from 27 and the number of alternative fuel taxis to 273 from 19 this year. "Our goal has always been to provide a level of service that meets the expectations of all New Yorkers," said Commissioner Daus. "While we have taken purposeful steps toward that goal over the last several years, the Administration's actions today represent unprecedented progress that will have a truly positive effect on people's lives, and we are excited at the prospect of accomplishing this." "We should do everything possible to give people who use wheelchairs and scooters the same ability to get around town as everyone else," said Councilmember Liu. "This bill is a good step forward towards that objective and will greatly increase the number of taxicabs that are accessible to wheelchair users. More importantly, this bill also helps us gather the information we need to expand the mandate for accessible taxicabs in the near future." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TLC Auctions 254 New Alternative Fuel Medallions
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Device That
Aids People with Muscular Dystrophy Wins Inaugural WPI Entrepreneurship Award
Professor Allen Hoffman and two graduate students, Michael Scarsella and
Steven Toddes, are the recipients of the inaugural Kalenian Award from the
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) for their work on a device that
enables individuals with muscular dystrophy to perform simple tasks with
their hands.
The device consists of a brace called an arm orthosis that is worn over the arm and is controlled by a joystick in the free hand. By manipulating the joystick, motors in the brace cause the arm to flex and rotate in the desired position. The brace enables the user to move up to three pounds, which allows for tasks such as eating or tooth brushing. A lap tray is used to provide a pivot point for the elbow which creates two degrees of mobility. Gary Rabideau, director of rehabilitation engineering at the hospital where much of the research was done, stated that the arm orthosis "actually helps these kids use their own hand instead of a robotic-controlled arm." He also feels that it keeps the user more connected, is more therapeutic, and is more gratifying. To read more about the arm orthosis, use the following link: |
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10/27/2006 mjg Ó2003 carmelo gonzalez webmaster@carmelogonzalez.com www.CarmeloGonzalez.com
Last updated on 07/19/2008