Advancing Accessibility in Transportation

**Episode Summary** In this episode, Alan Hejl talks about how his work at General Motors addressing the vehicle needs of the disabled, along with the travel difficulties experienced by his wheelchair-bound wife, inspired him to form his company, Spark Access. Hejl dives into how those personal experiences pushed him to advocate for the mobility needs of the disabled – especially in terms of how greater mobility for the disabled fosters more inclusion for them in society. Hejl also explains how his advocacy efforts include creating more autonomous vehicle accessibility for the disabled. **Episode Notes** The latest episode of “The Stream by AASHTO” podcast features an interview with Alan Hejl, founder and lead consultant of Spark Access; a company that helps people with disabilities gain more mobility options to help foster a greater sense of belonging and inclusion for them more broadly in society. This podcast series is part of the AASHTO Environmental Management Technical Service Program operated by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. It explores a wide array of environmental topics that affect state departments of transportation and the infrastructure programs they oversee. The mission of Spark Access is foster more awareness, accessibility, and inclusion for the disabled within the mobility industry. The firm’s advocacy efforts focus on helping people with both visible and hidden disabilities gain more transportation options to fit their travel needs. In this episode, Hejl talks about how his work at General Motors helped open his eyes to the wide array of mobility issues people with disabilities face – a passion that deepened and became more personal in light of the mobility struggles faced by his wheelchair-bound wife. Hejl discusses how different kinds of disabilities – both visible and hidden – can impact transportation options; how transportation systems are often built with the needs of the disabled as an afterthought; and how autonomous vehicles can offer the disabled greater travel opportunities if they meet their accessibility needs.