May RTAG General Meeting
 
 This is a forum where riders can provide input and feedback regarding accessible transportation. The group meet with the MBTA, Department of System-Wide Accessibility and The RIDE.
 
 Date: Thursday, May 23rd, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
 
Location: Zoom
 
Register here: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUldOqqrzIuHdCnTaLfYDWSV2bm_6OgxTPL
 
 Agenda:
 1. Welcome and Introductions
 2. Zoom Directions
 3. RTAG Update
 4. MBTA Better Bus Project Presentation
 5. MBTA Discussion and Feedback
 6. The RIDE Presentation
 7. The RIDE Discussion and Feedback
 
 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing Zoom access information about joining the meeting.
 
 RTAG meetings are accessible to people with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. American Sign Language (ASL) will be provided for this meeting. Other accessibility accommodations and language services will be provided free of charge, upon request, as available.
 
If you have any questions or to request a reasonable accommodation or language services, please contact Kat at rtagboston@bostoncil.org or by phone at 978-893-8100.

Named Plaintiffs, BCIL, and GBLS Receive the Tom Hopkins Disability Access Award 
 
 From Massachusetts Office on Disability:
 
 In 2002, a group of 11 riders and the Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL), represented by Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS), filed Joanne Daniels-Finegold, et al. v. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, a class-action lawsuit against the MBTA. 
 
 At the time, accessibility at the MBTA was unreliable and, in some cases, totally absent. Elevators were frequently out of service and riders with disabilities were routinely denied service either by choice or due to equipment failure.
 
 The lawsuit resulted in the Daniels-Finegold Settlement Agreement, which outlined sweeping accessibility improvements to be made across the transit system. It stated:
 
 “This agreement is based on a shared vision between plaintiffs and the MBTA to make the MBTA a model transit system accessible to all. There is a mutual commitment and desire to comply not only with the letter but also the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act, with the complete understanding that all people with disabilities must have every opportunity to be fully participating members of our community and that fundamental to this opportunity is the right and ability to use public transportation in an equal, effective, and dignified manner.”
 
 Today, self-advocates and the MBTA frequently work together to address accessibility barriers and make improvements on an ongoing basis. The Department of System-Wide Accessibility (SWA) was established in 2007 to oversee these efforts and ultimately work to make the MBTA system accessible to all.

Follow RTAG on Social Media!
 
 RTAG is looking to expand outreach to different platforms. Follow RTAG on Instagram and Facebook @rtagboston

Who Are We?
 
 The Riders' Transportation Access Group (RTAG) is a community-based group that advises the MBTA on transportation matters impacting people with disabilities and older adults.
 
 Our goal is to ensure that all people with disabilities and older adults have every opportunity to be fully participating members of our community, noting that fundamental to this opportunity is the right and ability to use public transportation in an equal, effective, and dignified manner. 
 
 Anyone is welcome to become a general member. Please join us for our upcoming RTAG meeting.

Engagement Opportunities 
 
 If you would like to become more involved and help the Riders’ Transportation Access Group (RTAG) create a more accessible and equitable public transportation system, please reach out to rtagboston@bostoncil.org.