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Transportation

SB161 to Remove “Disabled” from License Plates, Sponsored by Senator Leding and Representative Godfrey, Is Now Act 236

Feb 28 UPDATE SB161 is now Act 236.  To see the Bill/now Act, go to: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2019/2019R/Acts/Act236.pdf

Feb 21 UPDATE SB161, which seeks to remove the word “disabled” from license plates issued to Arkansans with disabilities, passed the House of Representatives today, where it was sponsored by Representative Megan Godfrey.  The bill was introduced in the Senate by Senator Greg Leding.

Feb 12 UPDATE from Senator Leding:  Cleared my first bill through the Senate as a senator today. SB161 removes the word “disabled” from license plates issued to Arkansans with disabilities. Ours is one of a very few states that still use the word on such plates.

It’s a minor change that means a lot to a lot of people.

The measure now heads to the House where Representative Megan Godfrey (D-Springdale) will carry the bill as the lead sponsor in that chamber.

DRA: We couldn’t agree more.  Thanks, Senator Leding!

Original article:

Disability Rights Arkansas Executive Director Tom Masseau today expressed his appreciation for the work of Senator Greg Leding in introducing a bill in the Arkansas Senate that will remove the word “disabled” from license plates that designate an individual’s right to use an accessible parking space.  “The universal symbol for accessibility is sufficiently prominent on the license plate without the use of the word ‘disabled'”, Mr. Masseau explained.  The bill, SB Bill 161, is sponsored by Representative Megan Godfrey in the Arkansas House of Representatives; DRA appreciates Representative Godfrey’s efforts on behalf of this legislation as well.  The bill is now assigned to the Senate Public Transportation committee, and DRA will be tracking its progress in the legislative digest available on DRA’s website home page.

To view the bill:

[gview file=”https://k4q.c18.myftpupload.com.php72-4.lan3-1.websitetestlink.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/SB-161.pdf”]

Need information about Rock Region Metro’s Paratransit services? Look no further

Would you love to run errands, go shopping and take in fun events around Central Arkansas, but you don’t have transportation?  Would you love to be able to use the city transit system, but the nearest bus stop is several blocks from your home and your disability prevents you from getting there?  Do you find yourself depending on friends, family and neighbors to go places when you’d rather not have to do so?  Did you know that public transportation systems are required by federal law to provide paratransit services?

Here’s how that works: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guarantees individuals with disabilities equal access to transportation. As a result, limits on accessibility to transportation for disabled individuals must be removed if it’s reasonable to do so.  So if you, for instance, have a visual or mobility impairment that prevents you from getting to and from the bus stop, the bus can come to you- that’s a reasonable accommodation.  Because of this, most public transportation systems have created paratransit systems; which is for people with disabilities who cannot use the “fixed route” or “mainline” bus service.

Paratransit systems have processes to determine eligibility.  Generally speaking, you complete an application and provide verification of your disability from a doctor, licensed health care provider, licensed rehab/social worker or Orientation Mobility Specialist familiar with your disability.

If you live in the Rock Region Metro’s service area, this link will provide you with more information and a copy of the application form:  https://rrmetro.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/METROLinksApplication.pdf