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Planning for an Accessible Future

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 26% of all US adults (51 million) live with a disability in the United States. The proportion of the population with a disability exponentially increases with age and given regional and national population trends, an increasing number of residents will need to navigate the region with a disability that may preclude them driving a personal automobile.

That's why the Sarasota/Manatee MPO prioritizes creating a safe, accessible, and multimodal transportation network that allows all residents and visitors to navigate the region with ease and independence.

As Sarasota and Manatee counties continue to grow, creating an accessible transportation system becomes more important than ever. The Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) plays a key role in developing and supporting transportation solutions that serve everyone, including individuals with disabilities and older adults. With its focus on accessibility, the MPO helps ensure that the region’s transportation network offers equal access to our amenities to all.

The Americans with Disability Act and Transportation Accessibility

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination in everyday life. Just as other civil rights laws protect individuals based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, or religion, the ADA guarantees people with disabilities the right to access employment, services, and public programs.

Tranportation is a cornerstone of the ADA because it enables full participation in daily life such as shopping for groceries, accessing healthcare, attending community events, and having full access to employment opportunities. An accessible transportation ensures people with disabilities are able to fully participate in community life. Under the ADA, public agencies must ensure that new and updated transportation infrastructure is accessible. This includes features such as:

  • Curb ramps
  • Accessible pedestrian signals
  • Detectable warning surfaces,
  • Safe sidewalks and crosswalks

These improvements benefit everyone, regardless of ability. Safer and more accessible streets help parents with strollers, travelers with luggage, older adults, and children walking to school. The guiding principles of Complete Streets and Universal Design aim to create spaces that are comfortable and safe for people of all ages and abilities.

How the Sarasota/Manatee MPO Supports Accessibility

The MPO prioritizes accessibility at every stage of the transportation planning process. Livability is a central goal of the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), a document that guides regional transportation investments over the next 25 years. The MPO uses the LRTP to prioritize studies and projects that create a more inclusive, safe, and easy to use transportation system for all. By prioritizing investments in building out a truly multi-modal system, the MPO helps ensure that disabilities are not a limitation in accessing the region’s amenities and opportunities.

Some examples of MPO efforts include

  • Prioritizing sidewalks, trails, and transit improvements that benefit those with limited mobility.
  • Supporting transit investments that serve people who cannot or choose not to drive.
  • Ensuring planning documents and studies incorporate accessibility considerations.

The MPO also ensures that public participation and engagement is also accessible. The MPO provides several ways for people to engage with our efforts, including in-person workshops and online surveys. These options allow more residents to take part, especially those with busy schedules, different communication needs, or limited access to technology. The MPO also ensures that its website follows accessibility standards so that users who rely on screen readers or other assistive technologies can find and use the information they need.

How Local Governments Support Accessibility

Improving accessibility for people with disabilities requires collaboration across different agencies and levels of government. While the MPO promotes a more accessible regional transportation network, local cities and counties play a vital role in improving accessibility within their own communities. Most local governments are required to maintain an ADA Transition Plan, which outlines steps for achieving greater ADA compliance in their infrastructure. Many are also required to appoint an ADA Coordinator to address infrastructure barriers and respond to residents’ accessibility concerns. Because staff roles and contact information can change over time, it is best to contact your municipality directly for the most current information.

If you notice areas in your community that lack ADA-compliant infrastructure or present accessibility challenges, we encourage you to report these concerns to your local ADA Coordinator, municipality, or the MPO.

For individuals who are unable to use regular fixed-route bus services due to a disability, both counties offer flexible paratransit options. These services are essential for maintaining independence and access to everyday activities.

Handy Bus (Manatee County)

Breeze Plus (Sarasota County)