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Easter Seals Project ACTION welcomes questions from members of the disability and transportation communities about accessibility issues, transportation services, and ADA rights and responsibilities.

Review a list of frequently asked questions or Ask Project ACTION your question!

(Note: A few of the responses include links to documents in PDF format. The Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to view PDF files. Download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

I am an army veteran with a disability acquired during my service time, and I need transportation to therapy appointments at a rehabilitation center that is over a hundred miles from my home. I do not drive due to the disability and my family finds it difficult to drive because they have to work. Who should I contact to help me find transportation?

Finding a ride to a long distance medical appointment can be a challenge, but many organizations provide transportation services for veterans and can help you get to where you need to go.

First, contact your local Veterans Affairs (VA) facility to inquire about transportation options through the Volunteer Transportation Network. The vehicles may be coordinated through local human service organizations and transit providers. At some VA centers, transportation is provided and coordinated through the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) network of volunteers. Services vary in each community as does the availability of lift-equipped accessible vans.

Another option is to contact the Veterans Integrated Service Networks of medical centers, veterans centers and outpatient clinics that are grouped into 21 geographic regions. Search the VA’s database for contact information by region or call 877-222-VETS (8387).

If you are unable to locate a transportation provider through the VA, local public transportation providers may be resources with which to discuss possible transportation options. The American Public Transportation Association website has a listing of transportation providers sorted by state with phone numbers that you can call to explore possible providers.

Additionally, in most states, simply calling 2-1-1 can connect you with a referral specialist who may be able to provide you with information on local and regional transportation resources. To find out if 211 services are offered in your area and to obtain more information, visit http://www.211.org/. You might also try calling 3-1-1, which in some communities connects you to the city government information line where you can inquire about transportation resources.

The Federal Transit Administration has also created an initiative to help communities assist veterans with access to transportation services, such as one-call centers and information on available resources. Visit the FTA website for updates on the Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative.

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“Our town had a snowstorm and now my bus stop is blocked with piles of snow. I use a cane that helps me keep my balance and I am afraid of falling. Who do I call to clear the bus stop?”

Answer: Snow removal around bus stops is a challenge for bus operators as well as customers. Be patient to allow snow clearing to occur as streets are plowed first followed by clearing of bus stops and sidewalks. In the case of a heavy snowfall, snow removal may be prioritized with initial clearing at heavily used bus stops, transfer points or stations, and then at lesser used stops.

Communities may have ordinances or agreements in place that specify who is responsible to clear bus stops of snow. These agreements may be determined by who owns the property where the bus stop is sited. If a stop is situated on private property, such as an apartment complex or shopping center, the property owner is commonly responsible for snow removal. In other communities, the responsibility is given to the municipality where the bus stops are located or to the transit agency providing the bus service. Interestingly, some communities make snow removal the responsibility of property owners adjacent to a bus stop, much like the requirement for the owners to clear a sidewalk.

A proactive first step you can take is to notify your local transit provider that your bus stop is blocked by snow and thus prevents you from riding the bus. If you have a disability that affects your mobility, you may find it helpful to communicate this information and the difficulties you have to reach another bus stop. Providers will often give priority to a request to clear a stop regularly used by people who use mobility aids. If you are a person with a disability, in certain weather-related situations (e.g., when your sidewalk or bus stop is blocked by snow), you may be conditionally eligible to use paratransit services. Check with your local transportation provider about conditional eligibility options.

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FTA Logo Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA) is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, and is administered by Easter Seals, Inc. Content on this website is disseminated by ESPA in the interest of information exchange. Neither Easter Seals nor the U.S. DOT, FTA assumes liability for its contents or use.