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CTC staff to publish draft accessibility needs assessment; members press for funding and data consolidation
Summary
California Transportation Commission staff said a draft accessibility needs assessment will be posted for public comment in January, with a final report to the legislature in March; members urged more legislative resources, better data consolidation and partner coordination to address staffing and access gaps.
Frances Diaz Sanchez, program manager for the needs assessment at the California Transportation Commission, told a subcommittee that the draft accessibility needs assessment will be posted for public comment in January and that the final report is scheduled to be presented to the commission and submitted to the legislature in March.
"Not everyone with disabilities qualifies for paratransit services," Diaz Sanchez said, highlighting gaps in who can access transportation services and pointing to limited information consolidation and same-day ride options as barriers.
Members said the primary operational constraint throughout the data-gathering process has been staff capacity. "I would say the biggest barrier is, it's just me," Diaz Sanchez said, explaining slow turnaround times from partner agencies and limited human capital to collect and synthesize the necessary information.
Several members urged the commission to seek more resources from the legislature and to consider a stronger consultant scope for future work. "We need to ask for more resources from the legislature when we get these types of asks," said Laura (member), who added that prior work on related legislation (cited in the meeting as "SB 125") had not produced anticipated data and the report team should plan for additional support.
Michelle (member) and others emphasized the need to trace funding flows and explain them to the public. Members asked for a plain-language FAQ or graphic showing where transportation dollars go and how much reaches road infrastructure and accessibility programs.
Diaz Sanchez said staff will coordinate with the California Transit Association and regional transportation planning partners to better understand how accessibility needs are reflected in regional planning documents and to consult on potential federal incentives for ride-hail accessibility. She said the team is aiming to submit remediation-ready materials on Jan. 13 so the draft can be posted on Jan. 17 in advance of the January California Transportation Commission meeting.
Carolyn Abrams, senior adviser in Caltrans' director's office for Equity and Tribal Affairs, confirmed the final 2025 needs assessment is planned for presentation to the commission in March and subsequent submission to the legislature. Members also shared a recommended contact—John Cunningham of Contra Costa County—to help compile historical context and prior assessments that have not been consolidated.
Because the meeting lacked quorum members proceeded without taking formal votes. The subcommittee closed after members encouraged colleagues and stakeholder groups (including Seamless Bay Area) to submit comments during the public comment period and to participate in planned follow-up meetings with staff and transit partners.
