We all need transportation to travel to job interviews, commute to work, and participate in work-related trainings. Accessible, reliable transportation ensures that Americans with disabilities can actively participate in the labor force and gain meaningful employment.

Public transportation systems have increasingly ensured greater accessibility, but many people with disabilities still can't access transportation to work. Access to public transit and for-hire transportation for people with disabilities includes many aspects of accessibility. The diversity of disability means that transportation needs to consider cognitive, sensory, and physical and mobility access. Improving access to transportation requires travel trainings, coordination of resources, and trainings on rights.

ODEP has collaborated with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and other Federal agencies to increase access to transportation to work. For instance, ODEP participates on the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility(link is external) managed by DOT. This Federal interagency initiative supports state and local governments as they develop coordinated systems to assist older adults, people with disabilities, and individuals of low income to access transportation to work and participate actively in the community. ODEP also collaborates with DOT on its activities to facilitate advancement of autonomous vehicles(link is external) (AV) and ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. ODEP maintains an online AV community called Autonomous Vehicles: Driving Employment for People with Disabilities.

The following resources provide helpful information on ensuring access to transportation for people with disabilities to support increased employment opportunities: