30 year Anniversary of the ADA Act
Port strives to go Above & Beyond
BY JEFF YSPALATER
The Port Authority Celebrated 30
Years of the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA), a WebEx event, titled
Building on Three Decades of Access
and Inclusion.
Port Chair Kevin O’Toole said
Port celebrates the 30th anniversary
of ADA by the Port Authority being a
more accessible and inclusive place.
“There are 100 million people living
with disabilities and we are not going
to shortchange them nor put them
aside. This a Civil rights movement.
We strive to be on the cutting edge
and we will spend the time and money
for this effort”
Exec Dir.Rick Cotton said “We
are witnessing a milestone. We are
fully committed to creating awareness
and providing accessibility.
Port has a long history in providing
accessibility for facilities and work
force. In celebration we are in of
midst new access standards in capital
projects.
We want to respond to concerns, be
out ahead and beyond minimum standards
and to honor the spirit reflected
in the ADA.”
He said Port is appreciative of efforts
and proud of the partnership
with the Port Abilities Network.
Michael Masiah, Chief of Inclusion
and Diversity, thanked all those who
were pioneers recognizing their resilience
and capabilities.
“We have to be forever vigilant at
the Port and sensitive to those who
need access to public spaces. We need
to think about those pioneers and
carry the baton forward.”
Aviation Lead Customer Experience
Specialist Daniel Duffy spoke
about the accessibility needs at the
airports.
“ There is a paradigm shift for airport
customers towards the virtue of
accessibility design”, he said.
“We expect each airport stakeholder
20 AIRPORT VOICE, OCTOBER 2020
Daniel Duffy, PANYNJ Aviation CX
to meet accessibility standards
throughout the passenger journey.
Our passengers deserve it.
Duffy said requirements are
evolved through human interaction,
and accessibility improvements are
based on feedback and this makes
things go especially right.”
Port has created a standards manual
for the airport terminals which includes
staff training.
He continued, “Training is important
since not all needs are visible.
How can we support the passenger better
is our goal.”
Journal mapping is a being used to
help identify pain points. and help ID
key steps. He said. “ Our goal is empathy
for passengers and addressing
requiring needs.” Port has developed
service excellence plans and is talking
with airport operators and service
providers
in a collaborative effort in training
and having the right equipment.
Port speaking about the various
aspects of inclusion and accessibility
at the event included:
Jim Starace Chief Engineer.
spoke about some of
the work done to make facilities
more accessible by Installed
braille in elevators,
ramps and many PATH station
improvements;
James Weisman, United
Spinal Assn was proud to be
part of the creation of ADA
when codified into national
law.
He described the shameful
conditions where disabled
people were treated
on public transportation.
“in the history of accessible
around transit, we had to
struggle so badly for accessibility.
Now after successful
lawsuits against disability
discrimination, all passengers are
important.”
Mark Wellington-Port Abilities
Network said he is “ Proud to be a cosponsor
of the event. .” We need to continue
to breakdown barriers that exist.”
Russell Kriegel, Asst. Chief Architect,
“ As the premier transportation
agency we support universal access.”
“ We have striven to go past minimums,
go above and beyond minimums
with improvements in co-locating
elevators, stairs and escalators.”
Ashley Feiker, Customer Experience
Representative TB&T, spoke
about contactless doors, ramps, curb
access, large doorways, journey map,
restrooms, improved elevators, signage,
fare gates, contrast strips on
stairs, tactile strips. 24/7 passenger
phones, automatic doors. Lifts on
buses that are available on the new
buses at the airports.
Natalyn Dudson EEO, said, “Our
teams focus on giving employees a better
understand of disabilities through
200 managers taking live training including
JFK workers going to classes
and working with vendors.”
Joe Panio, Senior Property Manager
highlighted the new drinking
fountains, handrails., automatic doors
and workspaces, ergonomics, height of
desks.
Apple was represented at the event
discussing their wide array of IOS and
apps designed for the disabled.
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Strides Against Cancer
Port’s EBRGs support
EBRGs Making Strides Against
Breast Cancer
Hosts: A collaboration of all
Port Authority EBRGs
When: Deadline for donations
and photos is October 18th
Details: We can FIGHT CANCER
together. In recognition of Breast
Cancer Awareness Month, the Port
Authority’s EBRGs have teamed up
for a friendly competition to raise
money for the American Cancer
Society. Go to the PA EBRG donation
page on the American Cancer
Society website and pick any EBRG
to support in the “competition.” All
donations go to the American Cancer
Society’s support services for
cancer patients and lifesaving research.
Wear a little pink or blue,
donate, walk and take a picture of
yourself/family.
To be included in the picture collage,
please send your pictures and
the name of your EBRG/s to NBE@
panynj.gov by October 18th.
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