RTD celebrates 34 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

RTD is honored to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act’s passage. The agency is committed to continually fostering partnerships and ensuring its public transportation and facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities and their allies.

On July 26, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law, a landmark in civil rights that granted critical rights to promote equal opportunity for persons with disabilities. As RTD celebrates this legislation, it recognizes the courageous actions of the “Gang of 19” who made a historic stand for accessible transportation.

On July 5, 1978, the Gang of 19 occupied the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Broadway in Denver, Colorado, to courageously advocate for equitable transit access on buses.In doing so, they influenced RTD's commitment to inclusivity, leading RTD to install lifts on buses and significant changes in transportation accessibility in Denver and beyond. This pivotal moment spurred a nationwide movement that led to the passage of the ADA.

RTD's commitment to transportation equity and serving people with disabilities remains unwavering. The ADA Office at RTD actively collaborates with community partners, advocates for policy advancements, and educates both staff and public on disability rights, ensuring that the commitment to accessibility is a promise and a reality.

As the agency reflects on the ADA's legacy and the perseverance of those who fought for its passage, RTD works to ensure that all individuals, regardless of ability, can access and benefit from public transportation, fostering a more inclusive and equitable community. RTD offers ADA-complementary paratransit service, Access-a-Ride.