Medical Home Portal - Travel/Transportation

Individuals with a disability have many transportation options, including: public transportation, private services, or obtaining a driver's license. Whether mobility is achieved through accessing public transportation, private services, or obtaining a driver's license will depend on the desires and abilities of each individual.

Public Transportation

Many larger cities provide accessible public transportation services including:

Bus,
Light rail (electric trains), and
Commuter rail (locomotives).

However, many smaller cities and rural areas do not have bus and train services. Check with your city to see what options are available.

Some cities provide specialized or paratransit transportation services for individuals with disabilities. Paratransit may provide door-to-door services. However, some services may require:

Applications and eligibility determination;
Rider training; and
Advanced reservations (up to one week).

In some cases, use of the specialized transportation services may prohibit you from using other public transportation services. Check with your Medicaid eligibility worker to find out if Medicaid will pay for services. Medicaid may have a contract with a designated service.

Private Transportation

Many taxi companies provide accessible vehicles. Some taxi companies may require you to schedule rides in advance and may charge additional fees. Call your local taxi companies for more details.

Private companies may provide accessible transportation services. See see all Disability Transportation services providers (3) in our database and see all Transportation, General services providers (10) in our database.

Driver's Education/License

Disabled individuals who express an interest in driving can pursue obtaining driver's education classes (both written and behind the wheel) to obtain a driver's license. A variety of accommodations can be made depending on the nature of the disability:

Physical Disability - Youth with a disability still in high school may be able to register for the classroom portion of driver's education just like any other high school course. Contact the school counselor or the school district before registering for the class for details and to determine if an adapted vehicle is available for the student. Additional time may be required for the instructor to teach the studnet how to use the adapted vehicle.
Cognitive/Learning/Developmental Disability - Contact a private driving school listed in the Yellow Pages to work with a young adult with a disability of this nature.

State driver's license agencies may provide additional information about options for obtaining a driver's license

Local organizations may be able to provide adaptive driving equipment. See see all Assistive Technology services providers (63) in our database.

Tips for Getting a Driver's License for Teens and Young Adults with Disabilities ( PDF Document

360 KB)
This pamphlet developed by Shriners Hospital for Children, also called On the Road, provides information on where to start to get a drivers license; getting a drivers license in Utah; the Functional Ability Evaluation Medical Report; driving evaluations; adaptive equipment and specialized drivers training; and resources and websites.

Air Travel

Airlines generally provide accomodations for individuals with disabilities including transporting your wheelchair or providing wheelchair service in the airport. Before you purchase a ticket, call the airlines and ask about their services, rules, and restrictions. When you purchase a ticket, let the airline know what assistance you will need. Some airlines require you to make arrangements within the week before your flight. When you go through security screening at the airport, let the screener know that you need assistance. Generally, you can go to the front of the line and a screener will provide security screening in a private location of the security area.

US Department of Transportation
Provides information for travelers. Hosts a Toll Free Hotline for air travelers with disabilities. Hotline Duty Officers provide general information about the rights of air travelers with disabilities. For information about the rights of persons with disabilities in air travel, or for help in resolving disability-related air travel problems, visit the web site at http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/hotline.htm, or call the Hotline at: 1-800-778-4838.
Disability and Air Travel Fact Sheet ( 59 KB)
Information, tips, and resources from the Utah Family Voices Health Information & Support center.

Resources

Information & Support

For Parents and Patients

Guide to Disability Resources on the Internet
From Disability Resources, a non-profit organization, thousands of the best disability resources on the Internet, personally selected and annotated by the staff of Disability Resources.

Disability Travel and Recreation Resources
Provides links to sites related to travel information and opportunities for the disabled.

When We Travel
Searchable listing of wheelchair accessible hotels worldwide. Online services only.

Utah Transit Authority
UTA bus, light rail (TRAX), and paratransit (Flextrans) information, schedules, and assistance. If you are deaf or hearing impaired and use either a teletypewriter (TTY) or computer equipment with TTY capability to place your telephone calls, dial 711 (Relay Utah) then give the Relay operator the Customer Service # 743-3882. Calls are also accepted using the video relay services, if you have equipment available.

Access Utah
A statewide information and referral service providing information on issues related to people with disabilities; provides a list of equipment for sale.

Utah Center for Assistive Technology
Non-profit organization at the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation that assists individuals with disabilities.

Disability and Air Travel Fact Sheet ( PDF Document 59 KB)
Information, tips, and resources from the Utah Family Voices Health Information & Support center.

Services

For other services related to this condition, browse our Services categories or search our database.

Authors

Contributing Authors:

Alfred Romeo RN, PhD, 11/2008
Robin Pratt, 12/2005
Barbara Ward RN BS, 12/2005
Gina Pola-Money, 12/2005
Joyce Dolcourt, 12/2005
Kristine Ferguson, 12/2005
Teresa Such-Neibar DO, 12/2005
Lynn Foxx Pease, 12/2005
Helen Post, 12/2005
Roz Welch, 12/2005

Content Last Updated:

11/2008

Funding/Support

Thank you to the Utah Medical Home Young Adult Advisory Committee for reviewing this section.

Travel/Transportation