Top of page
Travel

Amtrak pays over $2 million to persons with disabilities who could not access train stations

An Amtrak passenger train pulling into the station with an outdoor platform

The rail transportation company Amtrak has paid over $2 million to more than 1,500 persons with disabilities who experienced discrimination due to inaccessibility while traveling by train or trying to, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on January 12.

The payments were part of a comprehensive settlement agreement reached on Dec. 2, 2020, to resolve the United States’ determination that Amtrak failed for over a decade to make existing stations in its intercity rail transportation system accessible to people with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The payments follow a year-long process to identify victims of that discrimination.

“As a result of the Justice Department’s efforts, more than 1,500 people with disabilities harmed by Amtrak’s inaccessible rail stations are receiving compensation for the discrimination they experienced,” said Assistant Attorney Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “These payments, as well as Amtrak’s ongoing efforts to make rail stations accessible pursuant to our settlement agreement, bring both Amtrak and our nation one step closer to realizing the ADA’s promise of equal opportunity for people with disabilities.”

The December 2020 agreement requires Amtrak to make its intercity rail system accessible, prioritizing stations with the most significant barriers to access. In the next nine years, Amtrak is required to complete designs to make at least 135 of its existing stations accessible, complete construction at 90 of those stations, and begin construction at 45 more. Amtrak will also train staff on ADA requirements and implement an improved process for accepting and handling ADA complaints. Amtrak recently established an Office of the Vice President of Stations, Properties & Accessibility to coordinate its compliance with the ADA.

This action was brought by the Disability Rights Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. To read the settlement agreement and complaint, go to https://www.ada.gov.

You might also like

Man in wheelchair entering the building Man in wheelchair entering the building

Persons with disabilities ignored in election debates and housing plans

PWDA is urging all parties and candidates to immediately address…

person reading with Focus 40 Blue Braille Display person reading with Focus 40 Blue Braille Display

New guidelines to help digital tech meet accessibility compliance

The Australian Human Rights Commission has released new guidelines to…

A man with disabilities (right) and Woman in wheelchair playing video games together A man with disabilities (right) and Woman in wheelchair playing video games together

ESA unveils Accessible Games Initiative to highlight accessibility features

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has announced the formation of…

man tourist in wheelchair traveling in Europe. Lower Belvedere at background, Vienna, Austria man tourist in wheelchair traveling in Europe. Lower Belvedere at background, Vienna, Austria

UN Tourism, Germany lead the way in inclusive employment and accessibility

UN Tourism has joined the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation…