Accessible Transit Issues have featured prominently this month/Bruno via Pixabay
Welcome to a new series where we highlight a handful of stories that we think you should know about in the disability world each week. This week we tell you about a new law being implemented in Ohio, Jacksonville’s halting a service that Disabled people heavily rely on for independence in their own city, a Texas man calling for politicians to put laws in place against scammers, and a Connecticut advocate who is frustrated with an inaccessible transit station.
Keith’s Law To Help People With Disabilities Communicate With First Responders
By: Gabriella Winans, Fox8, January 6, 2026
This story is about how Ohio has passed a law that creates a process where Disabled people (or their parents/guardians) can submit information that is then made available via a database to first responders. The law is named after Keith Jesse, a local advocate who teaches safety classes to Disabled people in the state. The dispatcher will let the first responder know how to approach the concerns in a disability-informed way. Governor Mike DeWine signed the legislation in October and will go into effect on January 19th. The legislation comes amidst concern from advocates throughout the US about the ways this sort of tool could be used for surveillance and the police-based violence facing Disabled people.
From the Story: “It’s very good information for people to have, so that they actually know that that person is not being combative — they just don’t understand what’s going on.” — Bill Devon, Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities superintendent.
Disability Rights Advocate Concerned Over New CT Transit Service Center In New Haven
By: Kent Pierce, News8, January 5, 2026
This story is about a disabled advocate in Connecticut called David Agosta who is protesting against a new transit location meant to make accessing transit services easier that appears to violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The reason it doesn’t comply with the ADA law is because those with mobility disabilities aren’t able to easily access the building, which replaced a simple outdoor structure, and there is also concern that the new location is too far away from the bus lines it is meant to service.
From the Story: “A great grandmother who can’t lift her walker over this step must access these facilities outside in a blizzard.” — James Agosta, advocate
JTA to discontinue Connexion Plus, a private disability transportation service
By: Crystal Moyer, Firstcoast News, January 7, 2026
This story is about the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) halting a service that allows Disabled people to have access to easier same-day transportation. They want to cut it because the service is costly for the agency and they say they can’t afford it. However, Disabled people rely heavily on this type of service to gain independence.
From the Story: “Doing normal things like going to the grocery store or even going on a date with my girlfriend, it just makes it more accessible.” – Frankie, a disabled rider that relies on the transportation
Central Texas man scammed by imposters on social media claiming to be country singers
By: Ineye Komonibo, Chron, January 6, 2026
A Disabled man named Anthony McIlvaney has become a victim of being cat-fished by social media scammers. The person that was scamming him for money by impersonating celebrity country singers. The communication started out on social media in 2020 and continued on WhatsApp. He’s coming out stating that there should be more laws implemented to protect those with disabilities that could easily fall for online scammers.
From the Story: “When I would start talking to them, they would ask my age, they would ask for my Social Security information, my disability.” – Anthony McIlvaney, Disabled self advocate
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