Tacoma disability commission reports progress on transit access, braille signage pilot and a resource platform

The Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities (TACID) presented its annual update to the Community Vitality and Safety Committee on Feb. 27, outlining work over the past year on transit accessibility, event access and plans for a centralized disabilities resource platform.

TACID Chair Tony Amin Hester and Senior Equity Consultant Lucas Miraldo told committee members the commission audited the T Line light-rail stations and submitted findings to Sound Transit; helped develop a universal-design equity toolkit with Tacoma Venues & Events; and worked with Pierce Transit on a pilot to add braille signage at Commerce Station. Chair Hester said the pilot has been installed and commissioners are discussing next steps including placement of additional signs, maintenance and funding.

The commission recounted that its accessibility review of the T Line found station buttons and some braille signage were not readily accessible to people using mobility devices, and that…