| This dissertation explores the variety of ways that urban passenger rail agencies are managing their systems accessibility programs in the context of the Americans with Disabilities Act, (ADA) 1990. Urban areas are faced with problems of mobility and the impacts of automobile use, traffic congestion, air pollution, quality-of-life factors, and limited rail services. History has changed societal and cultural diversity, self-perceptions about disabilities and aging. These groups have also benefited from technological advancement in accessibility that enhances their mobility for daily living, social contact and inclusion. This dissertation provides decision-makers, managers, transit operators and professionals with accessibility management practices, and clarifies usability principles. It uses the application of the Grounded Theory developed by Glaser and Strauss (1967), and the case study method by Yin, 1988, extended by Merriam (1998), to develop the Accessibility Management Model (AMM). The AMM utilizes data from a survey questionnaire that was administered to all 36 urban passenger rail agencies in the United States, of which 27 agencies responded. The survey findings revealed that highly automated rail systems as well as older systems are struggling to comply with the ADA regulations for accessible public transportation. Additionally, the major components of an effective accessibility program must include a team of experts on staff experienced in working with federal and state accessibility specifications for vehicles, facilities, equipment, and public information. Another component is the relationship between staff, consultants, customers, and the agency's financial commitment to staff and customer training. The AMM itself includes a collaborative formula, total quality management involving accessibility standards and specifications, consultant input and user requirements. In contrast to the federal interactive governance and decision-making concepts of ‘iron triangle’ and ‘issue network’ models, the AMM may instead be viewed as part of the domain of “accessibilism” (Nnaji, 1995) in which the users' concerns play a significant role in forming strategies. The AMM designates a team of experts on staff to monitor and assess agency access issues as the first step towards developing policies that enhance system access and guarantee an adequate accessibility program that (1) complies with the law and (2) meets the needs of customers. |
