When my favorite guy and I go on vacation, I must do my homework to see what accessible transportation is available in the city we’re visiting.
Usually, when we travel to a big tourist destination like Las Vegas or Orlando, where finding accessible transportation isn’t an issue. As a matter of fact, there are always a few accessible wheelchair vans sitting outside of the airport when you land. If not, one is quick to come when called. Unfortunately, I’ve been to a few cities where I’ve had to wait for a considerable bit of time for a wheelchair-accessible van to get where I needed to go.
Along with the issue of time, accessible transportation around different cities seems to cost substantially more than non-accessible transportation. A friend told me that she had to pay over $300 to get to her destination while she was on vacation for a ride in an accessible van. This same ride would have only cost $50 in an Uber for a person who didn’t require accessible transportation.
The whole accessible transportation issue really upsets me because, like with almost everything else, if it’s accessible, it costs more. I find this very unfair because just like people who don’t have disabilities, I have places to go, people to see, and fun to be had! It shouldn’t cost me a small fortune to do so. I’m on a budget, and these outrageous costs just because I need accessible transportation are killing my experience.
Rideshare programs are not always inclusive for people with disabilities, but Ride-A-Wav is rectifying the problem. Ride-A-Wav services people with disabilities in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area.
Rideshare service for people with disabilities growing
No longer do people who need an accessible van to get around have to wait for hours or call a day in advance to get where they need to go. They can just pick up the phone and simply go. If you ask me, it’s about time. A service of this kind is well overdue.
The owners of Ride-A-Wave believe that people with disabilities deserve transportation that isn’t so restricted as everyone else. As a result, they opened the company and now provide transportation to everyday destinations like funerals, doctor’s appointments, and grocery stores.
There are many things in the community that can be provided to include people with disabilities, and providing accessible transportation services is a biggie. I’m happy Ride-A-Wave saw a need and made Things Happen.
Providing accessible rideshare services will continue to be a significant problem unless there is more attention to solving this barrier for many individuals with a disability. With this I asked, are there suggestions?
GREAT Article and the Rideshare video was heartwarming.
As always Shari great information 🙂
I am excited to know about this resource! I agree with your view about the barriers we face with transportation. What is instantly available for able-bodied folks, the same should be true for those of us with disabilities. Perhaps this one company meeting the needs of people with disabilities will spark other companies to do this nationwide.
Thanks for this information. Ride shares are challenging for persons who travel with service dogs as well. And yes… we have lives to live like everyone else.
Dawn, Mary Ellen and Linda,
Thank you for the comments. I’m hopeful accessible ride share transportation will be available in all states and cities for people with disabilities to utilize in the near future.