Passengers with Disabilities

RTA buses and trains are ADA accessible. For ADA requests for other RTA services, please call 615-862-8833.

Readers with visual impairments can contact the Tennessee Relay Service at 800-848-0298 for assistance with TTY access.

New Freedom Program

Program Goal

The New Freedom Program aims to provide additional tools to overcome existing barriers facing Americans with disabilities that are seeking integration into the work force and full participation in society. Lack of adequate transportation is a primary barrier to work for individuals with disabilities. The 2000 Census showed that only 60 percent of people with disabilities between the ages of 16 and 64 are employed. The New Freedom Program seeks to reduce barriers to transportation services and expand the transportation mobility options available to people with disabilities beyond the requirements of the ADA of 1990. For the purpose of the New Freedom Program, “new” service is any service or activity that was not operational on August 10, 2005, and did not have an identified funding source as of August 10, 2005, as evidenced by inclusion in the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) or the STIP. In other words, if not for the New Freedom Program, these projects would not have consideration for funding and proposed service enhancements would not be available for individuals with disabilities.

Program Measures

Under the Government Performance Results Act (GPRA), The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is required by law to “establish performance goals to define the level of performance” and to also “establish performance indicators to be used in measuring relevant outputs, service levels, and outcomes” for each of its programs. The performance measures described here are designed to fulfill FTA’s obligations under this Act. These measures will be used at our program level.

The three measures established for the New Freedom Program are:

1. Increases or enhancements related to geographic coverage, service quality and/or service times that impact availability of transportation services for individuals with disabilities as a result of the New Freedom projects implemented in the current reporting year.
2. Additions or changes to environmental infrastructure (e.g. transportation facilities, side walks, etc), technology, and vehicles that impact availability of transportation services as a result of the New Freedom projects implemented in the current reporting year.
3. Actual or estimated number of rides (as measured by one-way trips) provided for individuals with disabilities as a result of the New Freedom projects implemented in the current reporting year.