The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) published a draft of its first Strategic Plan on Accessible Transportation (Accessibility Strategic Plan), a noteworthy step in making America’s transportation system more accessible for all travelers. The draft Accessibility Strategic Plan is available for public review and comment and will be announced this month in the Federal Register.

“This first-of-its-kind Accessibility Strategic Plan creates a unified vision for the Department to achieve access and mobility for all in transportation,” said Acting U.S. Secretary of Transportation Steven Bradbury.

The draft Accessibility Strategic Plan reflects ongoing and future initiatives across the DOT’s operating administrations to enhance accessibility and remove barriers in transportation for people with disabilities. It represents a unified vision for progress in accessible transportation that will guide the DOT’s efforts in Fiscal Years 2021-2025.

DOT also released a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the launch of an Inclusive Design Reference Hub to establish a library of resources for accessibility in automation, and to work with outside experts to study voluntary best practices for ensuring accessibility in automated vehicles. Responses to the RFI are requested no later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on February 19, 2021.