Finding Rides

The Transportation Problem

Audrey holding sign saying 'going my way.'

Finding reliable and affordable transportation is one of the most difficult challenges for people who are blind or low vision. Whether you have had to give up your driver’s license or never had the chance to drive, it is an adjustment fraught with emotion and a sense of loss of independence. In this mobile, fast-paced, car-loving society, who among us has not longed to get into a car and drive? There is a joy of running errands on your schedule or simply being able to meet a friend for lunch spontaneously. Those days are long gone for me; I lost my driver’s license 24 years ago due to vision loss. It was a real game-changer to be sure. However, life can be lived even after this happens. Life without a license to drive calls for innovation, networking, and advocating for yourself, especially if you live in a community without public transportation.

Relocated for Better Transportation

When I lost my license, we lived in the cornfields of rural Indiana. My husband and I quickly realized this location was not going to work for us; we had three young children to raise, and I had a career I wanted to pursue. So, we relocated. We discovered Peachtree City, Georgia, a rural county south of Atlanta. While it does not offer any forms of public transportation, it has 100 miles of golf cart paths and walking trails that connect the whole city. For years, I drove a golf cart to work, school, shopping, piano lessons, ball games, and anywhere my busy life required. As my vision declined, my children were old enough to drive me, and we survived a few more years on the golf cart paths. Then my kids got their driver’s licenses, and we bought a second car. They each took turns being my chauffeur. Before long, they all left for college, and I found myself looking for new transportation options. I got my first guide dog and began to walk to work and the closest stores. But there are many places I cannot get to on foot, and there are still no buses in town. So, I had to get creative and assertive about finding rides.

Recruiting Others to Drive

I rode to work for a while with a neighbor who worked at the same place. Then her job changed, and she moved. I then recruited college students from a local campus and several individuals as drivers for pay. We would discuss the price upfront, which I based on mileage reimbursement plus an hourly wage. To find drivers or rides, I advertised my need for transportation in the neighborhood newsletter. Also, I contacted the local Lion’s Club to explore options with their volunteers. Often, I can run errands with friends who do not accept payment, and I buy their lunch in return. When my children were young, I arranged carpools and rides for them in exchange for my babysitting services. It is important to plan your rides in advance, communicate clearly with your drivers, and organize your outings to make the most of the trip.

Transportation Tips and Alternatives

Here are a few more tips to address the transportation dilemma:

  1. Some people keep their vehicles and hire a personal driver. You may want to advertise locally, interview candidates carefully, do a background check, ask about their driving record, negotiate fees, and secure appropriate insurance coverage. This option involves other expenses such as car maintenance, registration, tags, insurance, and gas.

  2. If relocation is an option, consider areas with public transportation: fixed route buses, paratransit, and public transit. Look up the Walk Score of areas that may interest you to find the “walkability” of the community. Consult a realtor about the rising number of “live-work-play” communities that offer the conveniences of city life with less stress, decreased need for driving, and a healthier walking lifestyle.
  3. Some communities offer a “voucher transportation program” through the senior services or community services center. Federal and local agencies subsidize these programs to provide transportation for seniors and disabled adults. The rider buys a book of vouchers at a low cost and exchanges them with a certified driver at the time of service. The driver then cashes in the vouchers for a subsidized amount.

  4. Some local churches or community groups may have volunteer transportation programs that provide rides free of charge to qualified people.

  5. Local taxi companies may be willing to negotiate discounts for disabled passengers who frequently use their services.

  6. There are “rideshare” services like Uber and Lyft available nationally. These services offer rides on demand within minutes in private vehicles as taxi alternatives. They have mobile apps used to request rides and handle fees electronically. Uber just became available in my area, and I have had a positive experience using the service and the accessible app.
  7. The Independent Transportation Network or ITN® is a non-profit system for older adults (60+) and people who are blind or low vision. A membership organization provides rides to members anywhere in the service area. No money changes hands in the car, and drivers do not accept tips. Drivers offer a steadying arm, carry packages, and fold walkers or chairs. It is a door-through-door service. Currently, ITN is available in select areas. Visit ITN’s website to learn more.
  8. Rides in Sight provides information about senior transportation options in local communities throughout the United States. Visit the Rides in Sight website or call the toll-free hotline at 1-855-607-4337 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (ET).

  9. GoGo Grandparent is another option for a ride in many cities and can be accessed by telephone: 1-855-GOGO-USA.

Expect to pay for rides and budget accordingly. If you owned a car and drove, you would have a myriad of expenses to maintain transportation.

Transportation Programs in Short Supply

Accessible and affordable transportation is in short supply in many communities. Federal and local governments struggle to maintain programs and resources that meet the needs of citizens who are low-income, older, and/ or who have disabilities. Shortfalls in funding have resulted in cutbacks in services and routes and even the folding of paratransit programs in some communities. People need rides to maintain employment, good health, quality of life, and engagement in the community. It is imperative for the blind/low-vision community to be proactive in managing their transportation needs. Lack of transportation can lead to isolation, unemployment, loss of independence, and even depression. We must take charge, self-advocate, and be creative in addressing this area of our lives.

By Audrey Demmitt

Additional Information on Transportation for Individuals with Vision Loss

Finding and Hiring a Driver

Accessible Public Transportation

Traveling on Trains and Buses