Free Transportation Services for the Disabled: How to Find Help
If you are a person living with a disability, it can be challenging trying to get around. There are 25.5 million Americans over the age of 5 living with disabilities that impact their ability to travel. Of those, 3.6 million never leave their homes because of their disability.
Difficulty accessing travel can affect the well-being of people living with disabilities in many ways. From accessing essential support services to connecting with the community or even holding a job, affordable or accessible transportation services for the disabled provide an essential resource.
Services for transporting disabled people are available from a wide variety of organizations. Though some may be available for free, others may require you to pay a fee. You may be able to get income-based discount vouchers from agencies serving low-income families.
We have gathered a list of agencies you may contact when you need to find transport for disabled people.
National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC)
Contact the NADTC to learn about transport for disabled services in your area. The organization’s focus is on helping people with disabilities find transportation. This includes finding ADA complementary paratransit services.
What Is ADA Paratransit?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has set requirements for public transportation companies. This concerns fixed-rate transportation services like bus or rail. In addition, these companies must provide complementary “paratransit” services.
The paratransit option must be available to anyone with a disability that prevents them from using fixed-route service. In addition, the complementary services must be within ¾ mile of the regular service.
They must also be available on the same days and hours as the standard route. In addition, the services may not charge any more than twice their standard fare for this service.
You will need to go through an application approval process to receive paratransit services. In addition, you may need to provide documentation supporting your disability. The agency will also conduct an in-person interview.
The eligibility requirements vary between organizations. Some have a more rigorous process than others.
Independent Living Resource Center
For help locating transportation providers in your area, contact your local Center for Independent Living (CIL). These centers are consumer-controlled, non-profit organizations. They provide a wide variety of information for people with disabilities.
At least 51% of the staff at CIL centers are people with disabilities. In addition, a minimum of 51% of the board of director members are people with significant disabilities. The website includes an alphabetical list of all states and territories, making it easy to find a center near you.
By contacting these centers, you can obtain services in numerous areas. This includes independent living skills, transition assistance, and information and referrals.
Office of Disability Employment Policy
This agency coordinates with employers and promotes policies at all levels of government. Their goal is to increase the success of people with disabilities in the workforce.
The organization strives to improve and increase opportunities for people who are disabled. They achieve this by addressing employment barriers to housing, accessible technology, healthcare, and transportation.
The organization provides a wealth of information in several employment-related areas, including transportation. When providing transportation for disabled people, the office understands essential factors to consider. This includes physical and mobility access, cognitive ability, and sensory problems.
The office works with agencies to find transportation for disabled people. They also service the elderly and low-income people.
Their mission is to help people reach work and community activities, including through technological innovation. This mission is why they are also promoting the use of autonomous vehicles for people with disabilities.
What Are Autonomous Vehicles?
Autonomous vehicles are a possible new transportation option for people with disabilities. They have the potential to increase the ability of disabled individuals to attend community activities, shop, work, and access medical care.
Autonomous vehicles do not need a human behind-the-wheel driving, providing greater freedom and helping transport disabled people.
While this is still the wave of the future, advances in this technology are bringing it closer to reality, so much so that the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund created an Accessible Autonomous Vehicles Checklist.
Dial 211
The 211-phone code connects you services that provide information for services in your community. This includes transportation for those with disabilities. The service is available in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and all 50 states.
To find out more about this service, dial 211 or visit their website. You may also request information on additional services. This includes finding food, mental health services, paying your bills, and more.
Uber WAV
These rides are not free. However, they are available for a price equal to their UberX service, the Uber primary ride option.
Uber WAV (wheelchair-accessible vehicle) makes it easy for people using scooters or wheelchairs to secure a ride. In addition, WAV driver-partners receive third-party certification. This qualifies them to help people with disabilities entering and exiting the vehicle.
If you use a service animal, they may ride in the Uber WAV with you. You may also bring other people with you up to the number of available seats and seatbelts in the vehicle.
As with any rideshare service, it’s essential to be mindful of safety.
Lyft
LyftUp is a transportation initiative. Their goal is to provide everyone has affordable and reliable transportation.
If you need free rides to job interviews or work, you may check if your area offers that service.
LyftUp may need you to contact your local Goodwill or United Way to get free service vouchers. These agencies are also good resources if LyftUp does not offer paratransit in your area. In addition, they may be able to refer you to other free paratransit services.
Those agencies may be able to assist you with any other areas of assistance you need. This includes everything from free food services to assistance paying utility bills.
Dial-A-Ride
Dial-A-Ride is a paratransit service for senior citizens and those with disabilities. It is an on-demand, door-to-door service, offering a wide variety of vehicles. This includes wheelchair-accessible vans.
Most of the dial-a-ride paratransit services charge the same as standard public transportation. This makes them an affordable option for low-income families.
This door-to-door service is a convenient option for those needing mobility help. Most Dial-A-Ride services require reservations. To find services in your area, search online for “dial-a-ride paratransit services.”
Volunteer Free Transportation Services for People with Disability
Free volunteer transportation may be available in your local area. This is usually a service provided by non-profit organizations. The services are usually offered to low-income families or those with disabilities.
The volunteer drivers use their vehicles. We recommend you discuss with the driver what equipment you need with you. For example, only some volunteers may take wheelchairs, walkers, etc., in their vehicles.
Some organizations provide services for free; others charge a small fee. For example, senior centers, churches, and organizations often help low-income families and people with disabilities.
Salvation Army
Contact your local Salvation Army for a wide range of assistance. This includes food pantries, holiday gift-giving, services for veterans, the aging, and more.
Transportation is not listed on their national website. However, your local office may offer transportation services. If they do not, they may have information for local agencies that do have para transport services.
By entering your zip code into the national website, you will open a new page. That page lists all the salvation army locations near you.
Information includes their address, phone number, email, the services they offer. There is also a link to their local website.
If You Are Denied Paratransit Eligibility
People who should be found eligible for paratransit services often receive a denial. This is due to transit companies not doing an accurate assessment of the person’s abilities.
The steps to avoid denial begin with your application. Be sure to include accurate records of your condition and disability-related impairments. There are three levels of accessibility qualification.
Category 1 includes people who are unable to use bus or rail services. This may happen even if they are physically able to access the service.
Their inability to use services may be due to a cognitive disability. For example, the cognitive impairment may prevent them from knowing when to get off or make transfers.
Visual impairments also fall into this category. The impairment may prevent the ability to navigate the travel route. It may also prevent them from driving at night.
Category 2 is people who need an accessible train or bus.
Category 3 is people with specific disabilities preventing their use of public transportation. This includes factors such as the inability to walk a distance from a bus stop to their home or destination.
A person in a wheelchair may be unable to navigate a steep hill to reach the bus stop. There may also be other hazards that inhibit access to public transportation.
Determine your category, prepare your application and gather your documentation. You may take a support person with you to your interview. If you receive a denial, you can appeal the decision.
The Search for Free Transportation Services
Trying to find free transportation services for the disabled is challenging. You are more likely to locate a service that provides services at a reasonable rate.
If transportation causes financial strain, you can contact agencies offering low-income assistance. In addition, they may be able to provide you with free transportation vouchers.
If the organizations above cannot help, consider contacting churches, senior centers, and rehabilitation facilities. They may be able to provide a list of transportation services.
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