Public Transportation

Transportation plays an important role in enabling people with disabilities to travel and live independently. Depending on where you live, your destination and your physical needs, transportation choices might include paratransit, accessible taxis, public transportation or volunteer drivers from nonprofit organizations or local government agencies.

Disability.gov’s Transportation section has a broad range of resources about transportation-related issues. The May 2014 edition of the Disability Connection newsletter offers information about “10 Things You Need to Know about Trains, Planes and Automobiles.” In addition, we have developed this guide to connect you to programs, services, government agencies and organizations that can help you find the transportation resources you need. For information about disability parking placards, hang tags or license plates, contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

This guide, written by the Arc of Northern Virginia, covers the following key issues:

• When to start preparing for entry into the workforce.
• What you need to know to prepare for and stay on the job.
• Whether working will affect your child’s benefits.
• Which steps to take now to protect your loved one’s financial future.
• How he or she will get around.

This resource guide was created for people with disabilities and designed to provide traveling advice that touches on the unique needs and challenges faced by the disabled population when traveling.

How do YOU get where you need to go? Learning how to ride public transit provides individuals with disabilities a multitude of benefits: increased independence and confidence, increased opportunities for vocational, educational and social pursuits, and the development of important life-long independent living skills. MTM's On the Move program operates under a contract with Metro to provide intensive and personalized one-on-one travel training services to individuals with disabilities in Washington DC. During travel training activities, our travel trainers work with each individual to increase their travel skills so they can safely and independently ride buses and trains to their chosen destination. For some, travel training may be completed in a short amount of time; for others, it may take longer to learn and be comfortable riding their route independently. We work closely with the individual as well as those involved in their care to ensure that training is comprehensive and satisfactory.

Participating individuals must be eligible for either Metro's Reduced Fare program or MetroAccess. Participation in travel training is free and does not affect an individual's eligibility for MetroAccess.

This guide, written by the Arc of Northern Virginia, will help you answer the following questions:

• Who’s in charge of key life decisions.
• Whether your adult child is eligible for government support.
• What kind of jobs and day support programs are available.
• Which recreational activities are best.
• How he or she will get around.
• Where they’ll live.

The DC Taxicab Commission's "Transport DC Program" enables MetroAccess users who are District residents to get a taxi (a wheelchair accessible one if needed) within the District of Columbia for $5 one-way (payable with cash, credit or debit), plus free fare for up to two companion riders. The program also offers flexibility for ride reservations to be made one hour before the ride is needed.

This webpage offers a range of travel-related tips and information for individuals with disabilities, including:

• preparation (e.g., packing items)
• passenger rights
• available assistance services/accommodations
• vacation packages
• and more

1. Community-based-organization (CBO) members can direct questions and suggestions directly to CBO & diversity manager Dulce Carrillo in person when onsite, via telephone (202) 962-5041, email dmcarrillo@wmata.com or postal service at 600 Fifth St. NW, Washington, DC 20001.

2. CBOs can invite WMATA to participate in numerous ways. This includes presenting at a meeting of your constituents, taking part in a panel or seminar on a topic of interest, such as Know Your Rights Under Title VI, How to sign up for a Senior SmarTrip® card, and other topics….

3. Individuals can contact WMATA Customer Relations at (202) 637-1328 or online at wmata.com/contactus, the main funnel for collecting feedback from the public.

4. Participate in numerous feedback opportunities on various WMATA-led projects throughout the year, including surveys, project-specific public meetings/activities/events, hearings and focus groups. CBOs will be notified directly by the CBO & Diversity Manager when there are feedback opportunities available.

5. Speak with WMATA staff at a wide variety of local festivals and events.

6. Apply for a position on the Riders Advisory Council (RAC). Additional details, including meeting times and dates are posted online at http://wmata.com/about_metro/riders_advisory_council.

7. Attend an Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) or subcommittee meeting. You may also apply for a positon on the AAC. Additional details, including meeting times and dates are posted online at http://wmata.com/accessibility/advocacy_policy.