Minutes Exhibit B
Port Commission Regular Meeting
of March 26, 2019
\ \
Seattle Commission for People with disAbilities

22 March 2019

To: Port of Seattle Commissioners
SeaTac Airport Ground Transportation Staff

RE: Need for Wheelchair Accessible Taxicabs at SeaTac

As you know,the Seattle Commission for People with disAbilities has been instrumental in
driving the effort to make SeaTac Airport the "Most Accessible Airport in America". Numerous
current and former Commissioners were involved in meetings with the Open Doors Organization
to identify problems and offer solutions. We continue to be involved in the Airport Customer
Accessibility Board.

SeaTac Airport has made many improvements, and all are appreciated. But there is one huge,
glaring problem andit is with ground transportation options, especially for people with mobility
issues or those with more severe disabilities who do not require a wheelchair but do need
transportation providers who are trained and sensitive to people with disabilities. In the past 2
1/2 years,things have actually regressed on that front at the Airport.

Far too many people have been turned down by the taxis currently operating at the Airport.
Those who have managed to get a wheelchair accessible vehicle have had lower quality service
and suffered from drivers who did not properly secure their passengers. A much more common
problem is simply the availability of wheelchair vehicles in the first place.

We demand that you allow Seattle Yellow Cab's Wheelchair Accessible Taxicabs to provide
service for people who use wheelchairs, as well as serving otherindividuals with disabilities.
Someof our former Commissioners helped develop the wheelchair accessible taxi
program
more than a decade ago, and one reason was the belief that service to and from the airport
would be easier and more flexible than relying on public transportation or expensive cabulance
services. Overthe years, we have seen Seattle Yellow Cab's WAT program expand and
continually improve with ongoing training and deep experience. We know and trust these WAT
operators and want to use them.

In the disability community, our slogan is "No About Us Without Us". And yet, when it comesto
ground transportation, you have completely ignored us. This must change.

Thank you. We want to continue working with you to address this and other issues affecting
people with disabiljti


Commissioner Co-Chair
Commission for People with disAbilities

CC: Seattle Commissioners for People with disAbilities