A video describing the rights and responsibilities riders and public transit providers have under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be made available to transit providers nationwide at no cost.
Lexington, KY – March 24, 2022. The Southeast ADA Center, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University, has launched the Video: Service Animals and Transit Systems, a short instructional captioned animation for use by transit providers that offers an understanding of the rights and responsibilities transit providers and service animal handlers have under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The video can be found on the Southeast ADA Center YouTube Channel (web: youtu.be/5fAuoZjVYw0 )
Service Animals and Transit Systems is a collaborative production of the Southeast ADA Center, The Macon-Bibb County (GA) Transit Authority, and the Middle Georgia Center for Independent Living (Disability Connections).
The video describes the purpose of the ADA, defines what a service animal is under the law and what tasks they are trained to perform. The film can be understood by all audiences, especially those with a limited understanding of ADA and civil rights. Most importantly, it describes the difference between service animals and emotional support or therapy animals, a source of confusion for many transit operators.
The Transit Authority of River City (TARC) in Louisville, Kentucky states that “We utilize the Southeast ADA’s Service Animals and Transit Systems video in our ADA training with new hires. We like this animated video due to it being entertaining, informative, engaging and easy to understand the ADA regulations regarding service animals. The video breaks it down to make it easy to understand the proper etiquette, verbiage and requirements for both the service provider and passengers who depend on service animals.”
Media Contact
Barry Whaley
Director, Southeast ADA Center
adasoutheast@syr.edu
404-541-9001
WATCH Video on Southeast ADA Center YouTube Channel

Link: youtu.be/5fAuoZjVYw0
About the Southeast ADA Center
The Southeast ADA Center, based in Lexington, Kentucky, is one of 10 regional centers in the ADA National Network, to provide information, training, and guidance on the ADA. Southeast ADA Center is a project of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University. The center is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration on Community Living (ACL), National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). Learn more at: burtonblatti16.sg-host.com.
About Burton Blatt Institute
The Burton Blatt Institute (“BBI”) at Syracuse University reaches around the globe in its efforts to advance the civic, economic, and social participation of people with disabilities. Through program development, research, and public policy guidance, BBI advances the full inclusion of people with disabilities. BBI builds on the legacy of Burton Blatt, a pioneering disability rights scholar. BBI has offices in Syracuse, NY; Washington, DC; New York City, NY; and Lexington, KY. Learn more at: bbi.syr.edu
Disclaimer
The contents of this announcement were developed under Grant #90DPAD0005-01-00 from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). The information, materials, and/or technical assistance are intended solely as informal guidance and are neither a determination of your legal rights or responsibilities under the ADA, nor binding on any agency with enforcement responsibility under the ADA. To effectively provide technical assistance to all individuals and entities covered by the ADA, NIDILRR requires the Southeast ADA Center to assure confidentiality of communications between those covered and the Center. You should be aware that NIDILRR is not responsible for enforcement of the ADA.