Transportation and Travel for People with Disabilities
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Whether you are traveling by plane, train, or car, accessibility and safety are
considerations if you or a loved one lives with a disability. More and more, people
with disabilities are gaining access to new technologies and public transportation
to help them travel safely.
Transportation is a vital lifeline to education, healthcare, employment, and
community life, especially for people with disabilities. The
Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, as amended, provides discrimination protection to people with
disabilities, particularly in Sections 502, 503, 504 and 508. People with
disabilities are no longer to be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or subjected
to discrimination under any program or activity that receives Federal financial
assistance. Safe, reliable transportation is needed for people with disabilities to
use and enjoy such programs and activities. From adaptive car seats to non-emergency
medical transportation, there are several options for accessibility, based on your
situation.
Traveling as a Passenger
Child Safety Seats
Children with special needs, such as cerebral palsy, autism, or spinal
cord problems may need adaptive car seats or a safety harness for safety in
cars, buses, and airplanes. Some children may need a more specialized solution
if they are in a hip or body cast. Certain medical conditions call for more
support for the body; challenging behavior may require a more secure
(childproof) restraint. Finding the right car seat for your child can be a
challenge.
Some children with special needs continue to need a 5-point harness or
specialized seat as they grow, and they will need a seat made for larger
children or adults. You will not find this type of car seat in the department
store, but they are available if you need one. Below are recommendations from
parents who have been through the process of ordering a special needs car seat.
- Find a car seat safety check site or certified technician near you by calling your local hospital or health department (See Resources at the bottom of the page for further information.)
- Talk to the Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technician about their recommendations for your child's safety.
- If your child has a physical therapist, ask for a seat recommendation.
- Ask other parents what their child is using and how they got it.
- Contact your child's primary care doctor and ask for a letter of medical necessity for the insurance company or Medicaid (see Writing Letters of Medical Necessity).
- Submit a written request to insurance. If insurance denies the seat, you can appeal the decision. If still denied, look for alternative resources (see Appealing Funding Denials).
- Are there programs in your area that donate or have low-cost seats? (Try your Children's Hospital or Health Department.)
- Are there any organizations in your area that donate or help with funding or a donation? (Independent Living Centers, Lion's Club, Children’s Hospitals, special needs organizations)
Wheelchair / Automobile Transport
When traveling as a passenger in a car, it is generally safest for the
wheelchair user to transfer from the wheelchair to a seat with seatbelts or a
child safety seat (car seat) that complies with federal safety standards, and
then secure the wheelchair in the vehicle.
If transferring is not feasible, it is very important to secure the
wheelchair to the vehicle facing forward, and to use crash-tested seatbelts and
a four-point tie down system for the wheelchair-seated rider. It is best if you
have a wheelchair that has been designed and crash-tested for use as a seat in
motor vehicles, often referred to as a WC19 wheelchair or a transit wheelchair.
A WC19-compliant wheelchair provides four easily accessible attachment points
that help secure the chair using a four-point tie down system. Even with the tie
down system, make sure that the wheelchair user is also using crashworthy and
properly positioned pelvic and shoulder belt restraints.
School transportation (bus) will usually recommend
that your child have a WC19-compliant wheelchair unless they are transferring to
a bus seat. However, your child cannot be denied transportation to school
because he does not have a WC19 wheelchair. It is in the child's best interest
for the parents and the school transportation team to work together to find the
safest option for a child to travel on the school bus. More information is
available in the American Academy of Pediatrics School Bus Transportation of CSHCN (AAP) policy
statement.
Adapted Motor Vehicles
New technology gives many people with disabilities the ability to
drive or be transported in their own cars with adaptions to the car. Some
examples are:
- wheelchair lifts and ramps
- four-point tie down systems
- hand controls
- modified seating
- steering aids
A driving rehabilitation specialist can tell you if it is possible to
adapt your vehicle. See the resources section below to find a specialist in your
area.
A qualified vehicle modification dealer should install the devices
suggested for your car. This dealer is not the same as the dealership who sold
you your vehicle. For a consumer guide to buying wheelchair accessible vehicles
and equipment, see the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) in the
Resources below.
Adaptive Driving
When assistive technology and adaptations are needed for a young
adult or adult with disabilities to drive a vehicle. For more information,
go to the Adaptive Driving page. For information on Driver's Education and
getting a driver's license, and more, go to: Transportation Options for Young Adults.
Public Transportation Services
Public transportation allows people with disabilities to be
independent within their communities by providing accessible public options.
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that new public buses and rail
vehicles (such as subway cars and light rail trains) be accessible to people
in wheelchairs. Many new fixed route buses have wheelchair lifts or ramps.
Buses must also have at least two seating spaces inside for securing
wheelchairs. People who are able to use the fixed route bus service should
try to use this option whenever possible.
For people who cannot use fixed route bus services, many city
transit agencies provide what is known as "paratransit" for eligible
travelers. Paratransit services typically use vans or mini-buses equipped
with wheelchair lifts or ramps. These vehicles usually do not follow fixed
schedules or routes, but instead allow you to call and schedule a pick-up
wherever you are. Disability alone does not determine paratransit
eligibility; the decision is based on the applicant's functional ability to
use a fixed route bus. Eligibility requires an application that describes
the passenger's disability and explains why they are not able to use regular
transit, along with the signature of a health care
professional.
In some cases, when funded by Medicaid, the use of the specialized
transportation services may limit you from using other public transportation
services. Check with your Medicaid eligibility worker to find out if
Medicaid will pay for both services. Medicaid may have a contract with a
designated service only.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) allows patients who are unable
to travel on their own due to medical conditions to travel safely from one location
to another, locally or for long distances. NEMT can be provided by ground or air,
depending on the patient's needs. Sometimes, patients who are stable but unable to
travel by conventional means are required to use non-emergency medical
transportation due to oxygen requirements, mobility issues, or for ease and
comfort.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation for Medicaid Beneficiaries
States are required to make NEMT available to Medicaid beneficiaries
to assure their access to medically necessary services. Most states cover NEMT
to enable Medicaid beneficiaries to obtain covered medical services from
hospitals and clinics both in and outside their area. Some states have a prior
approval process or may limit the number of trips allowed per month. Many states
contract with local agencies to coordinate services. For a summary of your
state's Medicaid NEMT eligibility and coverage see the Resources section
below.
Train Travel (or rail service)
Amtrak is the major rail transport company in the United States and provides many
accommodations to travelers with disabilities. You can get information about the
accessibility of their trains and stations by contacting a reservation
representative at 800-USA-RAIL (800-872-7245) or by visiting Amtrak's website (see the Resource section below).
Air Travel
The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) prohibits discrimination on
the basis of disability in air travel by requiring U.S. airlines and foreign
airlines providing flights to or from the United States, to offer accessible
facilities, accommodations, and other services to passengers with
disabilities.
However, unlike most forms of transportation, many aspects of air travel are not
covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Air Carrier Access Act of
1986 (ACAA) is a civil rights law that requires accessibility for people with
disabilities, but not the same level of access that is required on bus and rail
services by the ADA. For example, under the ACAA, a person who uses a wheelchair or
mobility device is required to transfer to an airplane seat instead of staying in
their chair. Also, while new safety videos shown on airplanes must be
open-captioned, any video entertainment shown is not required to be
captioned.
The ADA and its Accessibility Guidelines do apply to airports and airport services.
For a step-by-step guide to air travel with a disability, go to the Flying with a Disability link also in the Resources section
below.
Flying with Children with Disabilities
If you are a parent or caregiver flying with your child, here are some
suggestions:
Before You Go
- Be sure to call the airline at least 72 hours ahead of time and let them know about your child’s special needs. Doing so will allow for safe and happy travel onboard the aircraft.
- Give advance notice to your airline or travel agent if you require assistance at the airport. Your airline will assist you through the airport facility and the screening line.
- If you need someone to accompany you through the security checkpoint to the gate, talk with your airline representative about obtaining a gate pass for this person before entering the security checkpoint, and know that it may be a challenge to have someone assist, but they may provide an assistant to get you to/from the gate.
- The limit of one carry-on and one personal item (purse, briefcase or computer case) does not apply to medical supplies, equipment and mobility aids, and/or assistive devices carried by and/or used by a person with a disability.
- Pack your medications in a separate pouch/bag to help with the inspection process. Make sure that containers holding medications are not too densely filled, and that all medication is clearly identified. It is recommended that passengers refrain from packing any medications that they do not want exposed to X-rays in their checked baggage. Instead, send larger quantities of medication to your destination by mail or another preferred way.
- Make sure each of your carry-on items, equipment, mobility aids, and devices, have an identification tag attached.
Security
- Let screening officials know about your child's disability and what she is able or not able to do during screening.
- Carry documentation to support any medical or behavioral conditions, and offer suggestions to security staff on how to minimize issues during the screening process.
- Security officers should never remove your child from his wheelchair. Only parents are allowed to transfer their child, and you can refuse if it is not in your child's best interest. You can ask the security officers to use alternate screening measures while your child remains seated in his wheelchair.
- If your child is able to stand and walk, have her walk through the metal detector, as it can make the process much faster.
- Officers in the United States are not required to pat down minors with disabilities; however, other countries may have different regulations. In both the US and Canada, officers will visually or physically inspect and test any seat cushions, pouches, and packs attached to the chair.
- In regards to taking pictures and filming, the TSA allows you to do so as long as it doesn’t interfere with the screening process. That being said, some laws, state statutes, or local ordinances may prohibit taking pictures or filming.
- Most importantly, know you have the right to be with your child throughout the entire travel process; speak up if anything makes you or your child uncomfortable.
Hidden Disabilities
- People with a hidden disability can, if they choose, let security officers know that they have a disability and may need some assistance, or that they need to move a bit more slowly than others.
- Family members or traveling companions can explain the disability to Security Officers and that person may move slowly, become agitated easily, and/or need additional assistance.
- Family members or traveling companions can offer suggestions to Security Officers on the best way to approach the person with a hidden disability, especially when it is necessary to touch the person during a pat-down inspection.
- Family members or traveling companions can stay with the person during a public or private screening; however, they may be required to be re-screened if they provide assistance to the person.
TSA Cares Helpline
TSA Cares is a helpline that assists travelers with disabilities
and medical conditions. TSA recommends that passengers or caregivers call 72
hours ahead of travel for information about what to expect during security
screening, and to ensure time to coordinate checkpoint support with the TSA
Customer Service Manager at the airport if needed.
When a passenger with a disability or medical condition calls TSA
Cares, a representative will provide information about screening that is
relevant to the passenger’s specific disability or medical
condition, or will refer the passenger to disability experts
at TSA.
Travelers may call TSA Cares toll free at 1-855-787-2227 Monday
through Friday 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. EST and weekends and Holidays 9 a.m. – 8
p.m. Travelers who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to
contact TSA Cares or can e-mail TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov.
Disability Notification Card for Air Travel
A handy tool for travelers with a disability is the TSA Disability Notification Card (
69 KB). You can print the
card and complete the blanks which will inform TSA officers of a disability
in a concise and discrete manner.
69 KB). You can print the
card and complete the blanks which will inform TSA officers of a disability
in a concise and discrete manner.
Boarding and Flying
Seating
Children under 2 are not required to have a paid ticket and can
sit in a parent’s lap, but for many children this creates anxiety or
behavioral issues on a long flight. For children with mobility or behavioral
issues, try to request seating where there are no passengers in front of
you. The bulkhead of a cabin has extra leg space and with no seat in front
of you, no one can recline into your space, and you will not have to worry
about the passenger in front of you. Some airlines reserve this space for
people with disabilities, so call ahead to ask if it is available for your
flight.
For a child with sensory integration issues, a flight can be
overwhelming. A plane filled with people, the loud engine, ear pressure, and
turbulence can understandably create anxiety for your child, yourself, and
sometimes other passengers. Be sure to bring anything that might calm your
child, and consider an airplane safety harness.
Before bringing a child safety seat or specialty harness, contact
the manufacturer and the airline to make sure it is FAA approved. See
Resources section below for information about child safety on airplanes. The
Kids Fly Safe, CARES Airplane Safety Harness for Children is
now approved for use by kids, teens and adults with special needs. See the
Resources section below.
Wheelchair accessibility
All airports are wheelchair-accessible. Contact the airline to
find out what their procedures are for a gate check of the wheelchair. As a
precaution against loss or damage, always remove the detachable parts before
your wheelchair is stored, and label the chair with your name, address, and
destination airport. Generally, your child can use her own chair until the
boarding process. If she is able to walk a short distance, you can request a
seat near the entrance doors. If she needs assistance boarding the plane,
request an “aisle wheelchair” at boarding and de-boarding. Your child's
wheelchair will then be stored conveniently for immediate availability on
arrival. If there is any damage to the wheelchair, inform the airline and
inquire about repair/replacement policies.
Flying in a Stretcher
Many larger, international airlines can accommodate a traveler in
a stretcher, although you will have to fly with the necessary medical
supervision. Transport of a stretcher often requires the purchase of 6-9
seats to cover the airline's cost of lost seating. Medical clearance is
required, and we recommend you contact the relevant airline as early as
possible to inform them that you will need to fly in a
stretcher.
Medical Certification and Medical Equipment
Medical certification is only required for:
- a passenger requiring medical oxygen during a flight – contact the airline for specifics on oxygen use
- a passenger who will probably require extraordinary medical assistance during the flight
- a passenger traveling on a stretcher or in an incubator
- a passenger with a communicable disease
Contact your airline for specific requirements for oxygen tanks,
concentrators, suction machines, pulse oximeters and other medical devices
needed during flight.
Flying with a Service Animal
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) allows Service
dogs and emotional support animals to travel in the cabin of the aircraft as
long as the dog does not obstruct an aisle or any other area used for
emergency evacuations.
Although general in-flight rules will always be enforced by every
airline company, the processes of actually making reservations, passing the
ticket counter, check-in, security checkpoint, and gate may vary, depending
on the airline and airport. By checking the websites for each airline and
airport, you'll learn the specific guidelines.
International Travel
Many people with disabilities travel abroad. Each country has
their own standards of accessibility for travelers with disabilities.
Research and preparation are important for safe and accessible international
travel. See the international travel link in the Resources section below for
more information on international travel for individuals with
disabilities.
Resources
Information & Support
For Parents and Patients
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Child Car Seat Inspection
Child Care Seat Inspection Station Locator.
The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists was established in 1977 to support professionals working in the field
of driver education / driver training and transportation equipment modifications for persons with disabilities through education
and information dissemination.
National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA)
NMEDA is a nonprofit association that supports nearly 600 manufacturers, dealers and driver rehabilitation specialists that
work together to improve the transportation options for people with disabilities. NMEDA is the only organization for the adaptive
mobility industry that monitors its members to ensure they abide by the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and NMEDA’s Quality Assurance Program.
Transporting Children with Special Health Care Needs
This statement reviews important considerations for transporting children with special health care needs and provides current
guidelines for the protection of children with specific health care needs, including those with a tracheostomy, a spica cast,
challenging behaviors, or muscle tone abnormalities as well as those transported in wheelchairs.
Adapting Motor Vehicles for People with Disabilities
The information in this brochure is based on the experience of driver rehabilitation specialists and other professionals who
work with individuals who require adaptive devices for their motor vehicles.
Paratransit Eligibility Handbook (ADA)
Section 223 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)
requires that public entities which operate non-commuter fixed route
transportation services also provide complementary paratransit service
for individuals unable to use the fixed route system. The regulations
issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which implement this
portion of the law, specify to whom and under what circumstances this
service is to be provided. Dated 1993.
Access Travel Center
Here you will find ground and air transportation listings for traveling to and from medical facilities such as doctor's offices,
diagnostic testing centers, outpatient clinics and hospitals; many of these links offer useful resources.
Medicaid Benefits: Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
States are required to make NEMT available to Medicaid beneficiaries to assure their access to medically necessary services
but have the option to provide it as a State Plan service or as an administrative expense, with either option eligible for
federal Medicaid matching funds. This site offers a comprehensive list of states and details on what they provide under their
Medicaid plan.
Amtrak
Amtrak supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and has worked to make facilities more accessible to customers with disabilities.
Flying with a Disability
Disability air travel information and advice, including lots of good tips for people with disabilities who are flying alone.
Flying with Children with Special Needs
Family-friendly guide with many tips to make traveling less stressful (produced in the UK).
Kids Fly Safe, CARES Airplane Safety Harness for Children
CARES harness is already certified for kids 22-44 lbs for all phases of flight.