Is transportation still an issue for people with physical disabilities?

Answer 1

Yes it is, from going to get groceries to just wanting to get out of the house, a taxi is expensive and there is no buses in a lot of areas. I catch a ride with the neighbors alot. And there are still a lot of vans and buses that are not wheel chair accessible.

Answer 2

YES.

This in the USA: municipalities continue to disregard the law (the Americans with Disabilities Act) since they know that they are virtually immune to legal action. If the current administration were enforcing the ADA, which it is not.

Consequently, people with disabilities and seniors who cannot travel on their own can find it all but impossible to get around. And what funding was available has been cut, cut, and cut again.

"Paratransit" has become less, not more, avaailable in most US cities over the past 5-6 years.

On the bright side, many corporations have improved not onlly their willingness to provide accomodations, but in adopting a positive attitude toward consumers with disabilities. Not all--but there's noticeable improvements. It is primarily the public sector--on thelocal, state, and federal level--that continues to ignore the needs-and rights--of people with disabilities when it comes to transportation and access.

Since people with disabilities depend disproportionately on public transportation (indeed, many have no other option) this is a MAJOR issue.

Answer 3

Absolutely.
In Canada, VIA Rail just had their collective butts handed to themselves by the Supreme Court for lack of accessibility on their "Renaissance" rail cars.
VIA Rail chose to APPEAL earlier findings rather than do the right thing. They are Federally regulated and must abide by Federal standards and they still fought it.
The City of Ottawa recently stopped subsidizing transit passes for people with disabilities. They have "Para Transpo" but that is often called "SomeDay Courier". Less than reliable and a pain to use. Most people with disabilitis still live below the poverty line and cannot afford private transportation or cannot operate a personal vehicle.
Little choice is left for them.
So, Yes there is still a long way to go before this NOT "still" an issue.

Answer 4

Yes. Even in the best of places. Think about it. Even if your city has busses to accomodate a wheel chair, you're limited to the busses routes. There are many places to go. Where I live, there are no busses. It is also very hilly. No sidewalks and if there is an easement at roadside, it is 18 to 24 inches wide of loose gravel. Electric scooters can manage but users have been hit by vehicles. It's a very big issue. But there will be no solution. Correcting all the problems would be so expensive in just my state as to make the Iraq War look like a bargain price.

Answer 5

Very much so! I don't live in a major metropolitan area, so there isn't really a public transportation system here. Hiring paratransit to come out to my home is expensive and unreliable. I cannot drive, and we do not have the money for a handicap van. Therefore, I am mostly stuck at home.

Answer 6

Yes it is always. Transportation can be difficult to manage and find for those who are phys. disabled. And, getting around in general public...meaning, stairways, bumps, high sidewalks, and other obstacles that prevent someone in a wheelchair from getting through.

Let me tell you a disappointing story I had. This was in Rome. I was traveling around in a building, trying to get here and there easily. I found that in that building, there weren't any elevators. Just stairways. How many stairs? 200-300+. I am not joking.

We had to ask someone to help carry me up those stairs. This kind gentleman spotted us and knew we needed help in getting around. We told him that there weren't elevators to be found. He was very disgusted about this, as we were too. With all his heart, he helped carry me up the enormous flight of stairs. I couldn't find anything to say to him, except a thank you. I felt bad.

Rome is one of the places that has limited accessibility. As for other countries in Europe, I think it's same. So do be sure to check for accessiblilty when traveling in Europe. Americans are more generous in providing accessibility for our disabled citizens. At least, from my experience, I think so.

Answer 7

I wasn't aware that it was ever issue, since a lot of public transportation is used for people with various disabilities.

Answer 8

Probably the top issue for most disabled people unless you live in an large urban area.

Answer 9

Absolutely! Unless you're privileged to live in one of the major metropolitan areas, transportation for wheelchair dependent riders is ALWAYS problematic. I've known several people who live in suburban or rural areas. Public transportation is virtually non-existant for such people, so they must rely on friends / neighbors for all transportation needs.

Answer 10

Yes. Buses have lifts that don't work or drivers who refuse to pick up passengers. Trains do not have truly accessible restrooms and once on them you cannot travel about. Sidewalks often do not have curb cuts. Parking lots often do not have adequate supervision so the disabled designated spot are filled with able bodied people's cars.