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Finding Transportation Solutions: Questions to Consider

When assisting a job seeker with a disability to find transportation, the following questions can help identify possible solutions.

Own Vehicle

Do you have a drivers license?

• If not, could you obtain a drivers license?
• Do you have a vehicle or have access to a vehicle?
• Could you buy a vehicle (possibly using a PASS Social Security Work Incentive to cover the cost)?

Mass Transit

Is there mass transit that can take you to your job?

• Could you learn how to take mass transit?

Note: some agencies, such as Independent Living Centers, Community Rehabilitation Providers, and others, teach people with disabilities to use mass transit via travel training. Orientation and Mobility (O & M) classes can help people who have visual impairments. The state blind and visually impaired agency should have information on O & M services.

Cab

Could you take a cab to work?

Walking & Biking

Is the job within walking distance? Biking distance? Moped distance?

Car Pooling & Employer Resources

• How do your co-workers get to work? Could you car pool with them?
• Does your employer have any ideas or resources for transportation?
• Are there other employers nearby whose employees take a similar route? Might a car pool or shuttle bus be arranged?

Someone who could drive you

Who might be available to drive you to and from work?

• People you live with?
• Family?
• Residential program staff?
• Neighbors?
• Others?

If you can identify a driver but no vehicle, could a vehicle be purchased (possibly using a PASS-Plan for Achieving Self-Support, to cover the down payment) for someone else to drive you? [See information elsewhere in this section on using PASSs for transportation.]

Finding a driver

If you dont know anyone who could drive you, could you find a driver?

• Where would you advertise?
  Newspaper? Local colleges? Stores? Senior centers? Civic groups? Church bulletins?

Transportation services

• Is there paratransit (special transportation services for people with disabilities) available?
• Are there other transportation services available?

Brainstorming other ideas

Who could help you come up with ideas for transportation?

• People you live with?
• Friends?
• Family members?
• Neighbors?
• Counselors?
• Other professionals?
• Other community members?
• Members of groups you are part of?

Paying for transportation

• Are you eligible for reduced fare programs?
• If youre on Social Security, have you investigated using the PASS or IRWE Work Incentives to help cover the costs?

Written by:

Institute for Community Inclusion

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This document was developed by the National Center on Workforce and Disability (NCWD), based at Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Some of the material used was funded through the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (grant number E-9-4-1-0071). The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of tradenames, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Copyright 1992-2008, Institute for Community Inclusion