FAQ: Transportation
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National

Transportation Resources

Transportation Rights

Financing a Vehicle or Vehicle repair

Wheelchair Accessible Vans or a Mobility Conversion of a Minivan

Moving

Travel Transportation

State Listings

Wisconsin


National

Transportation Resources

Q: Where can I find transportation?

  • A: Visit the NHU Community and Internet Resources on Transportation which provides a comprehensive list of resources for people with disabilities. Any participation in the community and social events will require some mode of transportation. Although the responsibility is usually shared by family members or friends, there are a number of resources available to alleviate the strain. Resources available range from discounted public transportation passes to private services dependingon the type and level of disability. In any event it is important to have a wide range of choices at your disposal.

Legislation and Rights

Q: Are there any common carrier regulations regarding individuals with disabilities?

  • A: The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) states that no individual with a disability shall be denied the opportunity to use the public transportation system. Additionally, where necessary or upon request, the personnel of both public and private transportation services must assist a disabled person with the use of ramps and lifts enabling the individual to enter or exit the transportation service. The personnel may have to leave their seats in order to provide such assistance.

    The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides several different regulations. An example of such regulations are that all common wheelchairs are allowed on public and private transportation services but may be subject to designated securement locations or that service animals must be permitted on both public and private transportation services. For more information on the requirements of the ADA law or if you are the disabled individual and have had problems with a transportation service, please contact an attorney for further information and advice.

Q: Where can I call for information on disability-related difficulty with air service.

  • A: Aviation Consumer Disability Toll-Free Hotline for disability-related air service problems, call (866) 266-1368.

Q: If I need to arrange van transportation from my local paratransit company for 1:00PM, is it legal for them to tell me I will have a pick-up time of 11:45AM?

  • A: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that a van company cannot schedule an hour before or an hour after your requested time for pickup. Your local paratransit company would not be following the legal guidelines for scheduling your requested time for pickup if you ask for a 1:00PM pickup and they schedule you for 11:45AM.

Q: Is it legal to call as soon as a day in advance for a ride from a van transportation paratransit company?

  • A: Under the ADA, next day service is allowed as long as you call during normal business hours. Check your local transportation paratransit company for their normal business hours. You may also call during comparable normal business hours on a day when the transportation offices are not open before a service day. In other words, even if the transportation offices are closed on Sunday, you can still schedule service on Sunday for Monday pickup as long as you call during comparable normal business hours.

Q: Can I make a reservation to ride the van paratransit transportation 7 days in advance?

  • A: Under the ADA you can make a reservation up to 14 days in advance.

Q: Is it legal to charge more for van transportation than if I rode the public bus?

  • A: Under the ADA, the fare for paratransit (van) transportation can be no higher than twice the amount of the fixed route services (the bus). If you pay $1.35 on the bus, the van can charge no more than $2.70.

Q: What can I do if my transportation service is very late?

  • A: Recently a member of the NHU community was waiting for a ride on Transit Express in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when they realized their ride was very late. As they had made plans to meet friends at SummerFest and that they would be unable to get a hold of them to let them know that they would be late, they called the Transit Plus Helpline at (414) 343-1703.

    A mix up had occurred because they had called to cancel an evening reservation the day prior and instead of cancelling that reservation, Transit Express had cancelled their morning reservation instead. The receptionist was able to obtain another ride within 2 hours. Another complaint helpline for Milwaukee County transit problems is to call the Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy at (414)342-8700.

    If you use transit systems, become familiar with their consumer helplines in the event of an emergency.

Q: Can my caregiver accompany me on my trip via a transportation service?

  • A: A caregiver or personal care attendant can accompany you on your trip and shall not be charged. A family member also can travel with you.

See the U.S. Department of Transportation – Federal Transit Authority on-line office to technical assistance concerning the transportation implementing regulations of title II and title III of the ADA. For complaints on transportation or for information call the FTA Office of Civil Rights (TCR) ADA Assistance Line (888) 446-4511 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD/FIRS) or email ada.assistance@fta.dot.gov

New sign Financing a Vehicle or Vehicle repair

    Q: Is there any financial assistance available for people with disabilities to own their own vehicle or for vehicle repair or obtain them for free?

    • A: http://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Free-Car-if-You-Have-a-Disability Wikihow.com offers this article on several ways to try to obtain a free car if you have a disability, you could apply the same ideas for car repair.   It provides information on eligibility but also offers many ideas like talking to a local church, local mechanic, and more.
    • A: Are you a veteran with a disability? Rebuild Hope, a veterans help page, their eligibility appears to say they will do grants or no interest loans for transportation. This is the eligibility page.

    • A: To set up a gofundme page - go to go fund me. You will be asked to tell your story or ask a friend to set up a page on your behalf. Then your friend and you share your page with family, friends, and organizations. Do you have family and friends that may help you if they knew you needed the help? If you prefer to be more private, this may not be the way for you to raise financial assistance. This may not fund the whole vehicle but it may make the difference.

    • A:The leading car donation charity is 1-800-Charity-Cars.  While they do not directly provide for repairs, they may be able to refer the needy to local repair shops that offer assistance.
      They also provide low cost cars to those who need them. Click on the link above for who can apply for a free car.
      You can donate your old automobile to them, and they will then screen individuals to find the best match for your car.

    • A: If you need transportation to your job, or maybe even for an interview, Ways to Work may be able to help. They provide low interest loans so people can afford to buy a car on their own. The loans can also usually be used to pay for some type of employment related car repairs. So while it is not a free service, the financing can in effect allow people to save possibly hundreds of dollars per year. Call (866) 252-7171, or learn more about Ways to Work .

    • A: New Sign Military.com - Auto Financing -- Just found this resource that provides several helpful articles on auto financing for military members. Some of the articles include: Saving money with auto financing, tips to make sure auto dealers don't take advantage of you, and options for when you're denied an auto loan.

    • A: Need Help Paying Bills: Free car repairs article
      This link offers more regional charity ideas that can offer repairs or that may be able to donate a car to you. Each will have an application process, and the programs are limited in size, but they can serve as additional options.  The first two are hard to find, I tried.  I listed the next two above and then there are many more ideas in this article.

Wheelchair Accessible Vans or a Mobility Conversion of a Minivan

    Q: Do you have information on wheelchair accessible vans or how to make a mobility conversion of a minivan?

    • A: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has authored a helpful brochure, "Adapting Motor Vehicles for Persons with Disabilities." The brochure provides a detailed outline designed to assist consumers in evaluating their needs, in selecting the right vehicle and in selecting a qualified dealer to perform the necessary modifications. Additional helpful information is provided on cost saving techniques. The brochure also lists several organizations that can be contacted for further information or assistance. The brochure can either be downloaded from the NHTSA website or can be obtained by calling (202) 366-9550.

    • Mobility Works, is a national automobile dealership that offers full range of new and used accessible vans and adaptive equipment. Adaptive features include wheelchair lifts, hand controls, power seats, raised roofs and doors, ramps and more. For more information or to find the location nearest you, visit the website.

    • Vantage Mobility International find wheelchair accessible vans, both new & used, from Vantage Mobility International, the only manufacturer of the patented Northstar in-floor ramp & Access 360 mobility van conversions. They offer a search by zip code of dealers of accessible vans and accessible van conversions nearest you. Select manufacturer, such as Toyota, Honda, Chrysler/Dodge, or full size or mini-vans.

    • For more automobile dealerships that offer accessible vans and adaptive equipment, visit our NHU resource page at Adaptive Technology: Transportation/Mobility

    Q: How can I finance a wheelchair accessible van or a minivan mobility conversion?

      A: Financial assistance for wheelchair vans is available from third-party resources through loans, grants, and other funding sources to help in buying a handicap van, other mobility equipment, or for the mobility conversion of a minivan, see our NHU page on Accessible Vehicle Purchase
      Manufacturer's offer rebates on accessible vans, see our NHU resource page on Automobile Manufacturer Rebate

      A: If you are in the market to purchase a new or used accessible vehicle, check out this blog post by Susan Hawkins, Content Manager for AMS Vans, Inc. Funding Your Handicap Accessible Van with a Grant. This article provides great insight into the process of applying for and obtaining funding for this type of purchase.

    • Vantage Mobility International offers comprehensive informative article and lists of resources on financing your wheelchair accessible van and van conversion, for veterans, other programs and national disability organizations that may assist you.

Moving

Q: Do you know of any charitable organization that could assist someone in transporting someone from one area of the country to another?

  • A: There are many reasons that a person may have to be transported from one area of the country to another. Perhaps you need to be transported for medical care or you need to live in a different area of the country due to economic changes or health reasons. The following are a list of some resources that may or may not be able to assist you depending on your circumstances and whether or not you qualify for the program.

    In addition, you may want to ask your personal support group, family and friends. Also inquire at your local church or other community organizations if they have any programs that could assist you or if they would be willing to assist you.

    You should also contact your local Center for Independent Living or the Center for Independent Living in the community in which you wish to move. Centers for Independent Living are organizations for people with disabilities and may be able to assist you with more than transportation in such a move such as housing and care. To find your local Center for Independent Living, go to our New Horizons Un-Limited page on CIL's or visit the National Independent Living Council Directory and click on your state.

    • Modest Needs is an organization that will post your need to try to obtain donations from the Internet community to assist you. Modest Needs mission is to stop the cycle of poverty BEFORE it starts for the low-income workers. They do this by offering members of the general public to safely and securely help hard-working, low-income households to afford the kinds of short-term emergency expenses (within limits of value) that we've all encountered before: the unexpected car repair, the unanticipated visit to the doctor, or the unusually large heating bill, for example. They accomplish the donations and grants all on-line. You must have access to a computer to apply. Modest Needs offers three types of grants: Self-Sufficiency Grants, Back-to-Work Grants, and Independent Living Grants. To apply you must be at least 18 years of age;a legal resident of the United States or Canada; meet household income levels of the federally defined 'poverty level' be able to check your computer and have access to a scanner.

Travel Transportation

    Q: Do you know of any group that could assist a family with a member with disabilities in planning and finding assistance for transportation for travel?

State Listings

Wisconsin

Q: How do I apply for permanent Disabled Parking Identification Card in the State of Wisconsin?

  • A:To apply for a Permanent Disability ID Card, print the form MV2548 Permanent Disability ID Card (DIS ID) Application

  • Read the "Are you eligible?" Section and, if you qualify, complete the APPLICANT SECTION.

  • Have an authorized health care specialist (listed on the form) complete and sign the Eligibility Section of the form.

  • Mark number of cards that you need. You can have two cards only if you do NOT have disabled license plates or disabled veteran license plates.

  • Since you must keep a copy of your completed application and provide it for inspection upon request by any traffic officer, make a copy before sending the application to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. (We suggest that you black out your social security number on your copy.)

  • Either mail in the application to the address on the form, or apply at any DMV Customer Service Center (CSC). For a listing of our Customer Service Centers please see: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/about/locate/dmv/scmap.htm

    • NO FEE is required for issuance, renewal, or replacement. However, if you apply for the DIS ID at a DMV Customer Service Center, you must pay a $3.00 counter service fee.

    If you are submitting an application for replacement of a lost, stolen or mutilated/illegible card and your card is not expired or due to expire within the next three months, you DO NOT have to have the Eligibility Section signed at this time.

    Disabled Plates and/or Disabled Parking Identification Card Link

Q: What is Transit Plus and how can I obtain more information?
  • A: Milwaukee County, Wisconsin provides subsidized transportation service to individuals with disabilities through its Transit Plus Program. This paratransit service utilizes vans equipped with a wheelchair ramp or lift, and taxicabs, to provide transportation service. To participate in the Transit Plus program, an application form must be completed and submitted to the program. Application forms can be obtained from the social service departments of most hospitals and nursing homes, and other agencies providing services to individuals with disabilities, as well as directly from the Transit Plus. Applications must contain information from a registered health professional before eligibility is determined. Notification of eligibility will be sent by mail. Contact the Transit Plus at (414) 278-4091 (voice) or (414) 276-1096 (TDD).

    The transit plus card qualifies you for reduced fares on Milwaukee County Transit System, personal care attendants ride free and 18 routes provide wheelchair accessible service. For route, schedule and additional fare details, call the Busline at (414) 344-6711, (TTY) (414) 937-3299.

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