ADA Orange Lanyard Initiative

Navigating public spaces and transportation systems can be overwhelming for individuals with invisible disabilities. Often, they don't "look" disabled, yet face significant challenges in getting the assistance they need. I recently experienced this first-hand while traveling with a traumatic brain injury, leading me to an idea that could revolutionize accessibility for millions of people across the nation: a national orange lanyard system.

This simple yet powerful solution would create a consistent, recognizable tool for individuals with disabilities, equipped with visual cues and a QR code for essential health information.

In this post, I'll explore how the orange lanyard can not only improve accessibility but also increase safety and prevent tragedies like the heartbreaking case of Kayden Clark.

Let's dive into how we can make public transportation more inclusive and safer for everyone.

Below you will see the letter I wrote to the WMATA - Office of ADA Policy and Planning and/or ODR - Office of Disability Rights

Subject: Proposal for a National Orange Lanyard System to Assist Disabled Travelers

Dear Office of ADA Policy and Planning,

And/Or

Dear Office of Disability Rights,

Dear Director Mathew McCollough,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Regina Seaman and I am writing to propose a nationwide initiative that I believe would significantly improve the experience and safety of disabled individuals who use public transportation systems. As someone living with a traumatic brain injury, I have firsthand experience navigating public transportation while not appearing visibly disabled. This often creates challenges when trying to obtain assistance.

During a recent trip to Sky Harbor International Airport, I encountered a lanyard system for disabled travelers, but it had no information attached and was only recognized at that specific location. This fragmented approach is insufficient when transitioning between different airports and public transportation systems. Thus, I propose a national orange lanyard system, which would provide consistent recognition and assistance across all public transportation hubs, including airports, buses and trains.

Why Orange?

Orange was chosen because it represents uniqueness - just like disabled individuals, who may face challenges that aren't visible.

Here are the key aspects of the proposed system:

1. Uniform Recognition: The orange lanyard could serve as a universally recognized symbol for assistance needs, much like blue and white are for handicapped parking.

   
   

2. Enhanced Utility with QR Codes: Each lanyard could feature a QR code, allowing individuals to securely share important information like medical conditions and emergency contacts.

   
   

3. Visual Cues for Assistance: Color-coded blocks could be added to indicate whether the individual requires physical assistance (green) or prefers no contact (red).

   
   

4. Safety and Emergency Management: This system could also prevent tragedies like the unfortunate case of Kayden Clark, who was shot by police during a mental health crisis. A lanyard with accessible information might have allowed the authorities to manage the situation differently, potentially saving his life.

   
   

I am confident that this initiative would empower disabled individuals to advocate for themselves while ensuring the public transportation staff and first responders have the tools they need to assist effectively.

I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss this further with you and collaborate on making this idea a reality.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Regina Seaman