Many of us take "transportation" for granted. Whether it is driving alone or with someone else, boarding a bus or train, or calling a cab, it is part of our normal routine to work, shop, get groceries, attend meetings and clubs, and make doctor's appointments when we need or want to. However, for a growing portion of our Virginia population, both older adults and people with disabilities, transportation can be a challenge, and words such as Freedom, Independence, Choice, and Dignity are often used. VirginiaNavigator has partnered with local transportation providers to help.
The Transportation Issue
The number of older drivers is estimated to be four to five times greater in 2030 than today, according to the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA). Whether you are in a rural setting, small community, or a large city, getting to destinations can be a challenge as physical conditions decline impacting the skills necessary to leave one's home and get to another destination. Memory, vision, energy, agility, strength, flexibility, and reaction time are all necessary to travel.
Many older adults and people with disabilities do not want to burden their friends and family by asking for assistance, or are reluctant to admit that they have a transportation problem. This usually results in the individual compensating by:
- unsafely continuing to drive, and therefore putting themselves and possibly others at risk.
- not leaving the home, thereby neglecting their well-being: cancelling medical appointments, quitting work, withdrawing from social functions, not refilling prescriptions, changing to unhealthy eating habits due to reduced trips to the grocery store.
Learn more about the importance of Independence and Mobility for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities from another VirginiaNavigator article.
Transportation Alternatives
There are several alternatives for people to consider that will allow many people to remain independent and mobile. While there are independent companies, taxis, there are also public transportation and paratransit services to consider:
1) Public Transportation
Public transportation for older persons and people with disabilities that are in reasonably good health is a cost-efficient and logical choice depending on where you live. Many buses and trains are wheelchair accessible, and have designated seating on board for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Public transportation however may not be a good choice if there is a considerable walk to a bus or train stop, no seating to wait for a bus, not ample lighting and emergency phones located near stops, or bad weather conditions making it unhealthy and unsafe.
2) Paratransit
Despite the great strides that have been made in public transportation in recent years, many older adults and people with disabilities find themselves requiring more specialized transportation services, and the paratransit system which is mandated by the ADA, has become a better transportation solution. Paratransit provides flexibly scheduled transportation services for community residents who are unable to use the fixed-route public transportation system, such as older adults and individuals with a disability. It provides specialized door-to-door transport service, ensuring that he mobility needs of all Virginians are met. A comprehensive fact sheet on Paratransit Services is available for you to learn more about the service, eligibility requirements, and costs.
How VirginiaNavigator's Partnership with Transportation Providers Can Help
Many transportation providers across Virginia have partnered with us to become Navigator Centers, voluntarily providing free access and assistance with our VirginiaNavigator family of websites to help seniors, people with disabilities, caregivers and families in the community, who may not have a computer or internet access, or who may have a physical disability which may limit their ability to use our websites.
Our VirginiaNavigator family of websites provide access to a variety of resources to assist people with satisfying their transportation needs.
- Access to a database of local transportation options are available by typing in the word "transportation" into the search box and entering a city, county or zip code where the services are needed.
Navigator Centers are made possible across the state through a grant from the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities. For more information on finding a VirginiaNavigator Center in your community, or becoming a Navigator Center, please visit our Find a Navigator Center page.
