Celebrating Disability Pride Month

Every July, Disability Pride Month is observed to celebrate the achievements and rights of people with disabilities. It also marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990, a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities.[1]

Disability Pride Month is more than just a celebration. It is a time to uplift the voices of disability communities, advocate for diversity and inclusion, and recognize disability as a valued identity, one that deserves respect and pride. This month also encourages us to recognize the persistent gaps in transportation systems that disproportionately affect people with disabilities and to commit to closing them.

According to the 2023 American Community Survey (ACS), in our region, more than 1 in 10 adults (510,200 in total, accounting for 12%) have one or more disability, including hearing, vision, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care, and independent living.[2] Disabilities, including mobility-related disabilities, are particularly common among older adults. Regionwide, 24% of people aged between 65 to 74, 41% aged between 75-84, and 71% of people aged 85 and older have a disability.[3]

Moreover, people with disabilities are less likely to drive and more likely to rely on public transit. The 2023 PSRC Household Travel Survey indicates that nearly 30% of individuals with disabilities in the region do not have a driver’s license, compared to just 8% of the rest of the population. They are also more likely to travel with someone else with 48% of their trips involving multiple occupants, compared to 31% for the rest of the population. Additionally, transit usage among people with disabilities (6%) is three times higher than that of the rest of the region (2%). These statistics reaffirm the importance of a transportation system that is inclusive and accessible for all.[4]

As we update the Regional Transportation Plan, Disability Pride Month is a timely reminder that freedom in transportation is a basic need and that our transportation system must meet the needs of all users, especially those who have been underserved. Through community engagement, Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) continues to hear about the transportation barriers that people with disabilities face across our region. These include:

• More reliable and seamless cross-county trips on public transit and ADA paratransit services. 
• Shorter travel times and fewer transfers, particularly for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities. 
• Accessible, easy-to-read way-finding information and improved station amenities, such as restrooms and lighting.
• More consistent or coordinated ADA paratransit service between jurisdictions.
• Safer infrastructure for walking and rolling to transit, including continuous sidewalks and curb ramps.

At PSRC, we are working to identify and address these barriers through the Coordinated Mobility Plan, a key element of the Regional Transportation Plan. By listening to community voices and centering lived experiences, we aim to create a transportation system that truly works for everyone.