NEW YORK -- The United Spinal Association has joined with the Paralyzed Veterans of America to create the Disability Gas Coalition, a national and state-level disability rights organization dedicated to restore refueling assistance at the pump for people living with disabilities.
Some 15 million drivers with disabilities in the United States are unable to easily access gasoline at 159,000 stations nationwide and Disability Gas Coalition was founded to give voice to this issue.
The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed more than 20 years ago, requiring refueling assistance at the pumps when there is more than one employee on duty, yet for people who use wheelchairs, disabled veterans and other people with disabilities service remains elusive.
"For many drivers with disabilities traveling away from home, when it comes time to refuel, they are not sure what they will encounter--whether they will find a station with attendants that will assist them or whether they will have to drive around on fumes in frustration," said Paul J. Tobin, president and CEO of United Spinal Association.
The problem, according to the coalition, is that while gas stations are scrupulous about meeting Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements for fuel storage tanks or about meeting brand requirements for signage and logos, they are often uninformed and not meeting the legal requirement to provide refueling assistance for drivers with disabilities at the pump.
The solutions proposed by Disability Gas Coalition include:
- A well-identified pump designated for drivers with disabilities.
- Clear signage at the pump posting hours when there is more than one employee on duty.
- An oversized touch pad easily reached from the driver's seat to ask for assistance.
- A nationally accessible database showing where and when these services are available.
The group is asking for the support of the disability community to help spread the word on the lack of gas station access by enlisting state or national organizations to join Disability Gas Coalition.
Click here for more details.
Individuals can also tweet gas station accessibility issues and include @disabilitygasco or share photos of ineffective signage or videos that document the struggle to get gasoline on Facebook.
United Spinal is a national nonprofit membership organization formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Americans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, ALS and post-polio. It played a significant role in writing the Americans with Disabilities Act, and made important contributions to the Fair Housing Amendments Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Membership is free and is open to all individuals with SCI/D.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.