The National Council on Disability (NCD) is setting the stage for a significant conversation about the mobility and disaster preparedness of people with disabilities. The Council has called for an in-person meeting over two days, slated for August 28 and August 29, at the Access Board Conference Room in Washington, DC. Per the NCD announcement, the meeting will be accessible for wider participation through live streaming on Zoom for the Government and the NCD’s YouTube channel.
Interested individuals can register for in-person or virtual sessions through the Eventbrite platform, provided by the NCD. On the first day, the Council plans to cover a policy update and delve into ground transportation challenges faced by people with mobility disabilities, including the usability of taxis, rideshares, and other microtransit options. Also on the docket for the day is a crucial panel discussion about the access to autonomous vehicles for those with such disabilities. Following a lunch break and further discussion, the public will be granted a 40-minute window to comment on several of the Council’s open projects.
As reported by the NCD, the second day will focus on enhancing state and local disaster preparation plans to serve people with disabilities better. This session will include the Chairman’s report and updates from Council members and the Executive Committee. The Council's openness to community input is reflected in their request for public comments on topics ranging from disaster outcomes for disabled individuals to ADA accommodations during court proceedings.
