HART Applauds ADA 25th Anniversary
July 26 will mark the 25th Anniversary of the enactment of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and HART is proud of its role within Hillsborough County as an important mode of transportation for people with disabilities and of our HARTPlus service to the special needs community.
To commemorate that groundbreaking law, which ensures safe and equal access to persons who live with disabilities, HART is offering free rides as part of a HARTPlus passenger appreciation campaign. During the entire month of July, HARTPlus passengers can ride HART Local, MetroRapid and HARTFlex routes absolutely free of charge, just by presenting their valid HARTPlus ID to the operator.
Over the course of the last two decades, with input from advocacy groups, HART has taken significant steps to make travel on HART more accessible for passengers with disabilities, offering increased mobility and connectivity to family, friends, work and activities.
In addition, HART also partners with other organizations that help to advocate for people with disabilities by promoting greater awareness and education. Not only does that help to make the public aware of the history, contributions, and issues of those who live with disabilities, but it also proactively ensures that young people, the next generation of Americans, will share a deeper understanding of the importance of the ADA.
Celebrations of the signing of the ADA back in 1990 are planned not just at HART with the HARTPlus passenger appreciation ride free month, but at different events throughout the Tampa Bay area, such as the Hillsborough County Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities' annual Disability Awareness Expo being held at MOSI on East Fowler Avenue in Tampa on July 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.