Using Pictograms to Make Transit Easier to Navigate for Customers with Communication Barriers (2013)

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TCRP A-33A Final Report 39 ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS, INITIALISMS, AND SYMBOLS Access – Technically defined as, “Permission, liberty, or ability to enter, approach, communicate with, or pass to and from a place, thing, or person,” access means different things to different people. Two examples of access concerns are: 1. Poverty: People living in poverty may have the physical ability to drive, but if they don’t have money to buy gas, they cannot, in practice, access the roads out of town. 2. Sensory ability: People who don’t have sensory access to early warning messages— because they can’t hear or see—have limited access to emergency transportation. Accessible – Having the legally required features and/or qualities that ensure easy entrance, participation, and usability of places, programs, services, and activities by individuals with a wide variety of disabilities. (NIMS definition) Accident – an undesirable or unfortunate event that results in unintended harm or damage. (See also Emergency or Incident) ADA – See Americans with Disabilities Act ADA Definition of Persons with Disabilities – According to the ADA, persons with disabilities are a protected class. An individual is defined as someone with a disability if they: (1) have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity; (2) have a record of such an impairment; and/or (3) are regarded as having such an impairment. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Passed in 1990, the ADA is civil rights legislation that protects individuals with disabilities. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. ASL – American Sign Language Disability – A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of a person's major life activities. There are many definitions for “disability,” some of which are narrow, others which are broad. A person with a visual impairment correctable by contact lenses could be considered disabled in some circumstances but not in others, for example. Cognitive Disabilities – Cognitive disabilities can vary as much as sensory or mobility situations. Cognitive disabilities can be temporary such as the impact of a stroke or brain injury, as permanent as a cognitive development disability such as mental retardation, or as fluctuating as an individual going through early stages of Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia. CBO – Community-Based Organization DMS – Dynamic Message Sign (also known as VMS or CMS)

TCRP A-33A Final Report 40 DOT – Department of Transportation Emergency – A sudden, urgent, usually unexpected occurrence or occasion requiring immediate action. (See also incident.) ESL – English as a Second Language FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency FHWA – Federal Highway Administration Fixed-Route—Refers to transit services where vehicles run on regular, pre-designated, pre- scheduled routes with little or no deviation FTA – Federal Transit Administration Functional Needs – Functional needs include communication, transportation, medical, independence, and supervision needs. Communication needs are experiences by those who have low literacy, speak English as a second language, people who have limited or no eyesight or people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Transportation needs include people who are elderly, disabled, or carless. See also “vulnerable populations.” Incident – an event that has the potential to result in unintended harm or damage. Inclusive communication – Exchanges that reach all affected people and groups in a respectful manner. Inclusive communication allows everyone the opportunity to receive communication, engage with information, and act upon it. Recognizing that people communicate in a variety of ways, inclusive communication encourages the use of a variety of techniques. Interpreter – a person who carries out oral translation from one language to another. Limited English Proficiency (LEP)—Individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English can be limited English proficient, or “LEP.” These individuals may be entitled to language assistance with respect to a particular type or service, benefit, or encounter. Mobility Management – The law defines mobility management as, “short-range planning and management activities and projects for improving coordination among public transportation and other transportation service providers.” Mudflood – a liquid flood that carries up to 50 percent solid sediment loads Mudflows – solid landslides where the downward flow is viscous enough to support large boulders within a wave of smaller particles.

TCRP A-33A Final Report 41 National Transit Institute (NTI) – Established under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 to develop, promote, and deliver training and education programs for the public transit industry. PA – Public Address system. Paratransit— This is the family of transportation services that falls between the single-occupant automobile and fixed-route transit. Examples of paratransit include taxis, carpools, vanpools, minibuses, jitneys, demand-responsive bus services, and specialized bus services for the mobility impaired or transportation disadvantaged. People with Medical Conditions – Individuals who have one or more medical diagnoses that may or may not interfere with activities of daily living, but who may need assistance during an emergency evacuation. If a person with a medical condition becomes debilitated, limited, or otherwise impaired, that person may be protected under the ADA. People with Mobility Disabilities – Mobility disabilities can range from those who experience difficulty moving to those who use assistive devices such as canes, walkers, wheelchairs, or scooters or who may need to remain in beds or similar conveyances. People with No Access to a Vehicle – Individuals and families in a community that do not have a car and generally rely on public transportation on a daily basis. Individuals and families may not have a car for several reasons including economic factors, geographic location (i.e., people who live in urban environments may not own a vehicle), health conditions (e.g., those with physical disabilities, some of the very elderly), environmental conscientiousness, and lack of a license. People with Sensory Disabilities – People with sensory disabilities may experience varying levels of vision impairment or may be deaf or hard-of-hearing. Levels of functioning may vary. PSA – Public Service Announcement Reasonable Accommodations – In general, an accommodation is any change to the rules, policies, procedures, or environment or in the way things are customarily done that enables an individual with a disability to enjoy greater participation. A requested accommodation is unreasonable if it poses an undue financial or administrative burden or a fundamental alteration in the program or service. Sign Language Interpreter – A person who has been trained to use a system of conventional symbols or gestures made with the hands and body to help people communicate who are deaf or hard of hearing, or have speech impairments. Special Needs Populations – No singular definition of the term “special needs” exists, although the term is widely used within the disaster services and emergency management field and is often primarily focused on persons with disabilities. In fact, the term “special needs” is currently

TCRP A-33A Final Report 42 under debate in the disability, healthcare, and emergency management communities. “Special needs” can be narrowly defined or seen as a broad and overarching concept. (See also functional needs and vulnerable populations.) TCRP – Transit Cooperative Research Program Transportation Disadvantaged – Individuals who do not have access to personal transportation for reasons of health, disability, level of income, or other reasons. Florida statutes define it as, “Persons who because of physical or mental disability, income status, or age are unable to transport themselves or to purchase transportation and are, therefore, dependent upon others to obtain access to health care, employment, education, shopping, social activities, or other life- sustaining activities, or children who are handicapped or high-risk or at-risk (as defined in s. 411.202 - http://www.cfrpc.org/prtda.html). Variable Message Signs (VMS) – VMS, also known as changeable message signs (CMS) or dynamic message signs (DMS), are electronic signs that display messages to system users. Vulnerable Populations – Those who are made vulnerable by their financial circumstances or place of residence, health, age, personal characteristics, functional or developmental status, ability to communicate effectively, or presence of chronic illness or disability. Examples include the elderly, people with disabilities, and young children. (See also functional needs and special needs populations.)