Disabilities and Transportation
Feb 21 '02
The Bottom Line How can I travel if I am disabled. Let me show you the way.
Transportation is such a vital part of our everyday existence. It provides us with a way to get to our jobs, job training programs, school, and helps us fulfill our recreational needs. For many of us this is something that we do day in and day out without ever giving it much thought. But, what about the handicapped person?
Many people with disabilities are often time excluded from these opportunities because they do not have the means to get around. Many times driving a car will not be possible because of the persons disability. For may son it will be his sudden lapses of consciousness and his quick onset of seizures. Public transportation was not always the answer because of the many structural barriers or because of the disabled persons complete lack of training.
I am proud to report that is all changing. Federal legislation has recently been enacted to ensure that the disabled person has the same opportunities to live as independently and successfully in society as you and I do. The Americans With Disabilities Act mandates that paratransit are available to people who cannot use public transportation. This Act understands what an important role transportation plays in our everyday life.
The availability of transportation is not the only problem people with disabilities will face. They must know what types of transportation are available to them. (Busses, cabs, etc.) There is then the fact that they must know how to schedule their travel, how to lay out a plan of how they well get there and how they will get back. And, they must be able to accomplish this in a manner in which will be safe for them.
As I stated earlier, for us this is just like walking or breathing, but for the disabled person, this may require some training. Because of this, the Individual With Disabilities Education Act can be of particular importance to you. This Act states that public schools are required to provide transition services to children with disabilities. In my son's case, he is too young to use public transportation and his handicap keeps him from riding the regular school bus. However, there is a special needs bus which picks him up everyday. This bus provides him with the needed aide, and teaches him how and where to access this type of transportation.
In future articles, we will be learning about travel training and what it is, what skills will need to be learned before the person can actually travel on their own, some of the issues that could and probably will arise with certain disabilities, and about the Americans With Disabilities Act and how that relates to transportation.
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Debbietipton
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Member: Debbie Tipton
Location: Colorado Springs Co
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About Me:
I am a SAHM of seven children. I love every minute of it.
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