Before the ADA was passed in 1990, trying to find a city bus you could just "roll" right onto to was unheard of. Sure, there were bus lines specifically for people with disabilities, but nothing that let us integrate into 'regular' society. We were destined to live separately from everyone else.
And then the ADA was passed, and the flood gates were opened. In the last 20 years, we've seen a lot of amazing change in the world of public transportation. In most major cities, New York City, L.A., Miami, Dallas, Phoenix, Portland, Chicago and Minneapolis, city buses are now nearly 100% wheelchair accessible.
However, we�re still a long ways from being where we should be. What if you don't live in a major city? Even today, your options aren't that great. For anyone with a disability living in a rural area and they don�t have their own accessible car or van, they�re unfortunately homebound (unless a family member or friend can drive them wherever they need to go). How can anyone hold a job when they�re in this situation? And we know how uncomfortable it can be to put people out.
I think one of the most difficult things about having a disability is needing more help than other people. You hate needing the extra help, but it's unavoidable. I feel very fortunate in this respect. I live in the middle of a urban area, flush with accessible transportation (the light rail and most of the city buses are wheelchair accessible). I also have a minivan, in case public transportation won't fit into my schedule.
Having access to accessible public transportation is huge. If I had to ask for help to get where I needed to go at age 33, I think my self-esteem would definitely not be where it's at today. And then of course there are taxis, which also are generally (despite the ADA being passed) never wheelchair accessible. I can't tell you how difficult it has been in most major cities across the country to find a cab with a ramp. It's usually impossible, and very frustrating.
This is why I'm so excited about VPG. They're trying to get as many cab companies across the country to have their accessible vehicles as possible, despite some who are putting up a fight. Wouldn't it be a boon to disabled people everywhere if they could just call up a taxicab company and know, without having to ask, that their cab was going to be accessible? I would feel like I had died and gone to heaven if this ever happened.
Remember, it takes each and every one of us to speak up if we want to make a change and improve the state of accessible public transport where we live. We may not be quite perfect yet, but things keep improving, and for that I am grateful.
What kind of public transportation is in your area? Is it accessible? How has it improved, or not improved, over the years? Has the recession hurt it at all?
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