On June 19, Deputy Secretary of Transportation Honorable Vice Admiral Thomas J. Barrett, USCG (Ret.) convened the most recent meeting of the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM). As he called the meeting to order, Admiral Barrett congratulated the Council on its work to encourage and implement the vision of enhanced mobility for all citizens, and specifically for persons with disabilities. “I am inspired not only by the individuals here who have triumphed in the face of their obstacles, but also by all those here and elsewhere working on behalf of persons with disabilities,” said the Deputy Secretary.

During the meeting, a number of people were honored with awards to recognize their contributions to the United We Ride initiative. Neil Romano, Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy, Department of Labor, was honored for his demonstrated efforts toward interagency collaboration and increased job access for low-income populations and for people with disabilities. Josefina G. Carbonell, Assistant Secretary for Aging, Department of Health and Human Services, was recognized for her outstanding contribution of time, energy and resources to the United We Ride cause. Also honored for laying the foundation of the United We Ride vision were Bryna Helfer, currently Assistant Director, Office of Strategic Planning and External Liaison at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and formerly the Program Manager for Human Service Transportation at the Federal Transit Administration, as well as Mary Leary, currently Senior Director of Easter Seals’ Project ACTION and Transportation Initiatives, and formerly Special Assistant for the Assistant Secretary for Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Council heard reports from each of its working groups (Education and Technical Assistance, Emergency Preparedness, Research and Demonstration, and Policy), in addition to a report from the National Resource Center for Human Service Transportation Coordination. The Council approved a recommendation to solicit and present United We Ride leadership awards, approved a plan for seamless continuation of the Council and its activities between presidential administrations, and adopted a procedure for sharing and discussing policy actions that may have interagency implications.