§12147 Alterations of Existing Facilities

Summary

Public agencies must make changes to existing public transit facilities so the parts they alter are usable by people with disabilities, including people who use wheelchairs. If the work affects a main area, the agency must also, whenever possible, make the route to that area and the bathrooms, telephones, and drinking fountains that serve it accessible, unless those extra changes would be out of proportion in cost or scope under rules from the Attorney General. Not doing these things is discrimination under federal disability law. For rapid and light rail, agencies must make certain "key stations" (as the Secretary defines them) accessible. They had to do this as soon as possible but no later than three years after July 26, 1990. The Secretary can extend that deadline up to 30 years for stations needing very costly structural work, but by the last day of the 20th year after July 26, 1990 at least two-thirds of those key stations had to be accessible. Agencies must file a compliance plan that includes public hearings, input from people with disabilities, and milestones.