Access for People with Disabilities

Six million people with disabilities have difficulties obtaining the transportation they need. ¹

Four times as many disabled people as nondisabled people lack suitable transportation options to meet their daily mobility needs.²

Transportation access for people with disabilitiesIntersections without curb ramps. Crosswalk signals without sound that alert visually impaired pedestrians when it is safe to cross the street. Buses with broken wheelchair lifts. Telephone poles and other barriers blocking sidewalks. Trains that have unclear or no stop announcements. Subway stations with broken elevators.

These are just a few of the issues facing people with disabilities every day.

Addressing the transportation needs of people with disabilities Transportation is a vital part of independent living for everyone. Accessible and dependable transportation is especially important for people with disabilities, many of whom rely on it to get to work, school, health care, or other recreational or spiritual activities in their community.

Yet, 30% of Americans with disabilities have a problem with inadequate transportation, compared to only 10% of those without disabilities. Add to that the fact that as our population ages, there will be a dramatic increase in the number of people with disabilities in the years to come. The need for improvements is strong today and will continue to grow into the future.

For more information:
Monica Haines Benkhedda, mhaines@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1047 OR
Heather Strassberger, hstrassberger@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500 x1025. 

Sources:
¹ U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics
² National Organization on Disability

Links within this web site:

Emergency Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities

Citizens Advisory Committee

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Links to other web sites:

MTA Mobility Program

Last Updated on Monday, 07 February 2011 16:50