International Resources and Web Links
AEI Publications
- Bridging the Gap: Your role in transporting children with disabilities to school in developing countries
- Paratransit for mobility-impaired persons in developing regions: Starting up and
scaling up - Making Access Happen: Promoting and Planning Transport for All
- Mobility for All: Accessible Transportation Around the World
We also suggest:
- Transit Access Training Toolkit, prepared by AEI's Executive Director for the World Bank
Other Publications and Web Links
- Promotion and Advocacy
- Paratransit & Rural Transport
- Training Transit Drivers and Staff
- Access to Bus Rapid Transit Systems
- Access to Public Transport (All Modes)
- Special Section on Travel to School
- Access to Public Space
- National and International Associations of Transport Providers
- Manufacturers and Providers Who Have Assisted our Work
The following selected web sites are annotated with key publications that focus on accessible transport. Download a publication or type the title of a publication into a search engine such as Google. Some agencies with work across topics may be listed under more than one heading.
PROMOTION and ADVOCACY
- www.beautifulgate.org.my/
Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled (Malaysia, in English)
Advocates for accessibility to transport and public space. - www.dpi.org
Disabled Peoples International (in English)
International and local advocacy. - eden.international/
Eden Social Welfare Foundation (Taiwan, in English)
The host agency for TRANSED 2018 conference held in Taipei, and a strong supporter of accessible transportation for everyone.
- www.ecdd-ethiopia.org
Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development - www.rumbos.org.ar
Fundación Rumbos (Argentina, in Spanish)
Site of a major disability NGO in Argentina that advocates for accessible public transit. - www.saraki.org
Fundación Saraki (Paraguay, in Spanish)
An NGO that advocates for access to transport in Paraguay. - www.gaates.org
Global Alliance on Accessible Technologies and Environments (GAATES, Canada)
"Promotion, understanding and implementation of accessibility of the sustainable built, social, and virtual environment." Go to their website to enroll in their periodic news service. - www.widernet.org/egranary/gdrl
Global Disability Rights Library
For information about this resource for persons with disabilities in developing regions. - www.handicap-international.org
Handicap International (France, in French and English)
An aid organization specialized in the field of disability, promoting accessible transport in its work around the world. - www.healthwrights.org
HealthWrights (USA, in English)
A fine overview of health issues and rural development, providing the reader with a context for addressing rural transport needs. - www.independentliving.org
Institute on Independent Living (Sweden)
A major site "promoting the self-determination of people with disabilities." - www.keroul.qc.ca
Keroul (Canada, in English and French)
"Tourism and culture for people with restricted physical ability." - www.libreacceso.org
Libre Acceso (Mexico)
Helpful information on accessibility and related issues in Spanish - www.miusa.org
Mobility International USA.
Leadership training, international exchanges. - www.motivation.org.uk
Motivation (UK)
Supports people with mobility disabilities around the world. - www.nowpdp.org
Network of Organizations Working with People with Disabilities (Pakistan, in English)
Includes the Rickshaw Project, an advocacy program that works for the rights of people with disabilities through a dial-a-rickshaw service and an accessible tricycle project. - www.disabledpersonspenang.org
Society of Disabled Persons of Penang (Malaysia, in Chinese and English)
Includes helpful diagrams in the section on accessibility. - www.svayam.com
Svayam (India, in English)
An initiative of the Sminu Jindal Charitable Trust based in New Delhi, Svayam is a leading advocate for accessible public space and public transportation in India and beyond. Svayam was the host agency of TRANSED 2012 and hosts a permanent website for the TRANSED conference series. Svayam translated AEI's "Bridging the Gap" guide into Hindi, posted at https://svayam.wordpress.com/resources/ - www.transedconferences.com
TRANSED Secretariat (India)
Website operated by Svayam, the Permanent Secretariat for the TRANSED series of international conferences on mobility and transport for elderly and disabled persons. - www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities
United Nations – Disability (Department of Economic and Social Affairs)
This is the official website of the Secretariat for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The website is in multiple languages. - www.usicd.org
U.S. International Council on Disabilities (USICD)
"A federation of US-based non-governmental organizations, federal agencies and individuals committed to advocacy and action on behalf of the global disability rights agenda." - www.vnah-hev.org
Viet-Nam Assistance for the Handicapped (VNAH) (USA, in English and Vietnamese)
Promotes accessible transport in Vietnam.
PARATRANSIT and RURAL TRANSPORT
- www.globalride-sf.org/paratransit/Guide.pdf
Access Exchange International (USA)
To download Paratransit for mobility-impaired persons in developing regions: Starting up and scaling up. (90 pages) To download this guide in Spanish, go to www.globalride-sf.org/paratransit/Guide_esp.pdf. Other AEI guides relevant to paratransit services include: Making Access Happen: Promoting and Planning Transport for All, and Transport for All: What Should We Measure? - bit.ly/16Xwr47
City Fix (USA, in English)
For a posting by AEI's Executive Director on modifications to auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws to enhance their usability by passengers with disabilities - www.ecocabs.org
Ecocabs (India, in English and Hindi)
The "world's first dial-a rickshaw" service, in the Chandigarh area of northern India. This innovative cycle-rickshaw system uses call centers and other features that assist elderly passengers, and many persons with disabilities as well. - www.kickstartcabs.com
Kickstart (India, in English)
To view a video of what this innovative cab company is offering to seniors and persons with disabilities. - Mexico City's ramped taxis
taxipreferentesolucionhumana.weebly.com (in Spanish)
Also google "SEMOVI taxis preferentes" or "CDMX taxis preferences" for information in Spanish. - www.nadtc.org
National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
Information on paratransit topics in the USA that are also relevant to other countries, incorporting materials from the former ProjectAction.org website. - www.sfparatransit.com
San Francisco's paratransit
For a full description of the city's van and taxi services for persons with disabilities. - www.trb.org
Transportation Research Board (USA)
Type "paratransit" in the search box for a broad range of TRB publications.
TRAINING DRIVERS AND TRANSIT STAFF
- www.travelinstruction.org
Association of Travel Instruction (USA)
Travel orientation for persons with disabilities. - www.ucp.org
United Cerebral Palsy Association
Go to 'Disability Etiquette' in their resources section. - creativespirit.on.ca
Creative Spirit
For Ten commandments of communicating with people with disabilities. - www.nadtc.org
National Aging and Disability Transport Center
Most of the content is relevant to transit drivers and staff everywhere. Sample materials include: - ADA Bookmark. Similar to a pocket guide for passengers.
- Rights and Responsibilities of Transit Customers with Disabilities. Spanish version: Derechos y responsibilidades de los clientes del sistema de transito con discapacidades.
- Taxicab Pocket Guide. Rights and responsibilities of drivers and customers with detailed advice for drivers. Spanish version: Guia de Bolsillo para Taxis.
- Transit Operator's Pocket Guide. An excellent and detailed pocket guide.
- World Bank (USA). Transit Access Training Toolkit.
This publication was prepared by AEI's Executive Director. Feel free to use the training posters, citing the World Bank as the source.
ACCESSIBILITY OF BUS RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEMS
- www.vtpi.org/AEI_BRT.pdf
Victoria Transport Policy Institute
This is the home of AEI's publication Universal Access to Bus Rapid Transit: Design, operation, and working with the community, a series of composite case studies "to put a human face" on the use of BRT accessibility features. - www.apta.com
American Public Transportation Association
Go to the Resource Library and type “Bus Rapid Transit” in the search box. - elpoderdelconsumidor.org/brt-accessibility
El Poder del Consumidor (Mexico, in Spanish and English)
For this first-ever evaluation of the accessibility features of all the BRT lines in an entire country.
- www.itdp.org
Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (USA)
Many articles and resources on BRT systems in less-wealthy countries as well as the accessible pedestrian and bicycle paths to connect with them.
- www.reconnectingamerica.org/resource-center/browse-research/2005/safe-routes-to-transit-bus-rapid-transit-planning-guide-pedestrian-section/
Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates (USA)
To download Safe Routes to Transit: Bus Rapid Transit Planning Guide (Pedestrian Section), 42 pages. - www.redsimus.com
Asociación Latinoamericana de Sistemas Integradas para la Movilidad Urbana Sustentable (in Spanish)
"High quality urban public transportation for all." - www.TransMilenio.gov.co
TransMilenio (Bogotá, Colombia, in Spanish and English)
The site of one of the world’s best-known BRT systems which has pioneered a number of accessibility features. Go to Especial de Accesibilidad. - openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/17683
World Bank (USA). Bus Rapid Transit Accessibility Guidelines (2007) (also available in Spanish version) - pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/533341456249326949/Technical-and-operational-challenges-to-inclusive-Bus-Rapid-Transit-Toolkit.pdf
World Bank (USA). Technical and operational challenges to inclusive Bus Rapid Transit: A guide for practitioners, (2010) (also available in Spanish version) - www.wrirosscities.org
World Resources Institute (USA)
Enter "BRT" in the search box. News and events in the field of Bus Rapid Transit and other transport and pedestrian modes
ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT (ALL MODES)
PRIMARY FOCUS ON DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT VEHICLES, STOPS, TERMINALS AND FACILITIES.
(Several sources also address access to the built environment and pedestrian infrastructure, as well as policy frameworks for access across transit modes.)
- www.access-board.gov
Americans with Disabilities Act
Go to "Transportation Vehicles" and continue to the official USA standards. - www.gov.uk
Government of the UK
Go to "disabled people" and type "Inclusive Mobility" in the search box for Inclusive Mobility: A Guide to Best Practice on Access to Pedestrian and Transport Infrastructure (164 pages). - ann@annfrye.co.uk
Ann Frye Limited (UK)
Advice on meeting the needs of disabled and older people as public transport users, pedestrians and motorists. - accessguide.hk
Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation (in Chinese and English)
For their guide to all modes of accessible transport and facilities in Hong Kong.
- idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=419387
Interamerican Development Bank
To download Facilitando el Transporte para Todos (Spanish) - kitmitch@googlemail.com
Dr. C G B Mitchell (UK)
Advice on best practices and standards, presentations and workshops on accessible transport - www.rercapt.org
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Accessible Public Transportation (USA)
Improving transit and sidewalk access for people with disabilities. - www.sfmta.com/getting-around/accessibility
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
For a full description of the city's accessible transport services and facilities. - www.scottishaccessibletransport.org.uk
Scottish Accessible Transportation Alliance
For their Accessible Transport Strategy and much more. - www.my.undp.org/
United Nations Development Programme (Malaysia, in English)
Google A Review of International Best Practice in Accessible Public Transportation for Persons with Disabilities. - www.vtpi.org
Victoria Transport Policy Institute (Canada)
The Transport Demand Management Encyclopedia is of special interest, as well as the many resources under "Documents." - go.worldbank.org/MQUMJCL1W1
World Bank (USA)
Publications available to download include the Bus Rapid Transit Accessibility Guidelines, in English or Spanish, and the Transit Access Training Toolkit, in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
SPECIAL SECTION ON TRAVEL TO SCHOOL (walking or riding)
(also see relevant entries in other sections)
- www.buffalobicycle.com
Buffalo Bicycles
Information on sturdy bicycles to help older students commute to school. - pete.meslin@gmail.com
To request a copy of Access and Mobility, a Guide for Transporting Students with Disabilities in California (2nd edition, published by the California Association of School Transportation Officials). - citiesandschools.berkeley.edu/reports/CC+SYellowBus2014.pdf
Center for Cities and Schools, University of California, Berkeley (USA)
To download Beyond the Yellow Bus. - bit.ly/16Xwr47
TheCityFix (World Resources Institute, Ross Center)
Blog on auto-rickshaw improvements to enhance accessibility. - www.urbs.curitiba.pr.gov.br/acessibilidade/sites (Brazil, in Portuguese)
SITES
For a description of Curitiba's innovative school transport program for children with disabilities. - www.equallyable.org
EquallyAble Foundation
Information on this foundation with a special interest in safe travel to school in developing countries. - www.globalpartnership.org/
Global Partnership for Education
Supports 65 developing countries to promote a quality basic education for every child. Also see blog at this site, “Transportation to school for children with disabilities: Closing the gap.” Go to https://www.globalpartnership.org/download/file/fid/61180 for the joint publication of the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education, titled Disability Gaps in Educational Attainment and Literacy. - www.hiswheels.org
His Wheels International
Hand-pedaled trikes. - www.ipa.udel.edu
Institute for Public Administration, University of Delaware
Type 'Walkability Assessment Tool' in the search box. - www.nacto.org/publication/urban-street-design-guide/
National Association of City Transportation Officials
For their Urban Street Design Guide. - nationalcenterformobilitymanagement.org
National Center for Mobility Management (USA)
"mobility strategies that advance good health, economic vitality, self-sufficiency, and community." Go to nationalcenterformobilitymanagement.org/by-topic-travel-instruction/ for information on travel instruction and travel training. - www.npo-hop.org
NPO Center for Independent Living – HOP (Japan)
An independent living center in Sapporo City, which translated into Japanese AEI's Bridging the Gap guide promoting transport to school for children with disabilities. The translation is available at this site. - www.saferoutesinfo.org
National Center for Safe Routes to School
Safe Routes to School (National Center in USA) For their Walkability Checklist, go to www.saferoutesinfo.org/sites/default/files/walkabilitychecklist.pdf . - www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/bike/Safe-Routes-2002/
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (USA)
Safe Routes to School. - www.nmusd.us/BIC
Newport-Mesa Unified School District
For their section on the "Bus in the Classroom" approach to travel training for children with disabilities. - www.unicef.org
UNICEF
For information about UNICEF activities on behalf of school children. - www.un.org
United Nations
Information on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Go to sustainabledevelopment.un.org for information on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. - www.who.int/classifications/icf/
World Health Organization
For the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (2001). Go to www.who.int/disabilities/world_report/2011/en/ for their World Report on Disability, issued jointly by the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
ACCESS TO PUBLIC SPACE
(Several sources also address transit vehicles and facilities)
- www.aarp.org
AARP (USA)
Google Planning Complete Streets for an Aging America at this site. - www.accessforblind.org
Accessible Design for the Blind (USA)
"Making travel safer for pedestrians with disabilities through research, consultation, education and advocacy." - acessibilidade-portugal.blogspot.com
Acessibilidade Portugal (In Portuguese)
Portugal's guidelines for access to buildings and pedestrian ways, along with many other materials. Or contact Pedro Homem de Gouveia at Pedro.gouveia@cm-lisboa.pt. - www.access-board.gov
Americans with Disabilities Act
Go to the guidelines for “streets and sidewalks” and other aspects of the built environment. These are the official USA standards. - www.abc-discapacidad.com
Arq. Andrés Balcázar de la Cruz (Mexico, in Spanish)
Consulting services regarding access and universal design of architecture and transport. - idea.ap.buffalo.edu/
Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (USA)
“...dedicated to improving the design of environments and products by making them more usable, safer and appealing to people with a wide range of abilities throughout their life spans.” - www.gov.uk
Department for Transportation (UK)
Type “Inclusive Mobility” in the search box. - www.designforall.in
Design for All Institute of India (English)
Promotes universal design, especially through extended discussion in their periodic newsletters. - www.unit.org.uy
Instituto Uruguayo de Normas Técnicas (Uruguay)
Developing access norms for Latin America region.
Go to “Accesibilidad” (in Spanish). - www.wapenang.blogspot.com
Wheelchair Access Penang (Malaysia, in English)
Helpful and well-illustrated posts by K.A. Tan
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS OF TRANSPORT PROVIDERS
Materials on accessible transportation are often available at these sites or their links.
- www.apta.com
American Public Transportation Association - www.antp.org.br
Associação Nacional de Transportes Públicos (Brazil, in Portuguese) - www.ctauk.org
Community Transport Association of the United Kingdom - www.ctaa.org
Community Transportation Association of America - www.tlpa.org
Taxi, Limousine & Paratransit Association
MANUFACTURERS & PROVIDERS WHO HAVE ASSISTED OUR WORK
- www.a-zbus.com/
A-Z Bus Sales
New and used commercial, transit, and school bus sales in California.
- www.transdev.com
Transdev
A leader in the transportation industry and the largest private sector provider of multiple modes of transportation in North America. - www.nelsonnygaard.com
Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates (USA)
"Mobility/Accessibility/Sustainability" - www.luxorcab.com
Luxor Cab (San Francisco, USA)
A pioneer in providing accessible taxi services in San Francisco. Get their Mobile App here.