Reporter's Notebook: Accessibility in Transportation and How To Cover This Topic

Being disabled used to be a serious barrier for transportation.

Obviously, things have changed. For one, we have the Americans with Disabilities Act that mandates public accommodation in transportation. Plus, vehicles are getting another look at how they could work for disabled drivers and passengers.

During my recent stint for my left foot, I pondered a lot of how I should approach the automobile and the wider world of transportation. I’ve covered bits and pieces of these topics in the past. Yet, I’m still curious as what my transportation future will look like. And, what I should do to illuminate the disabled community regarding self-reliant transportation.

Let me explain something here. I do not have the exact numbers, but I do see two different groups within the disabled community. One, are those who do need assistance from others to accomplish tasks. The other is those of us who are self-reliant and want the freedom of mobility. 

I do like the approach regarding accessibility where everyone is considered for a host of transportation options. Not everyone can drive, but they do have options on getting to where they need to be. Those who can drive have a host of options on transporting themselves whether it requires adaptive equipment or not. 

These are the topics I would like to explore. Yes, I said this before, but it seems that every time I go through a medical procedure or several, this topic pops up again. 

In the process of trying to get these discussions going, I run into some roadblocks. Asking my fellow colleagues for possible people and companies to discuss accessible transportation were met with silence. It appears that the automotive media corps could be seen as ableist. I hate to throw that term at them, but it just seems that way. 

Or, maybe it’s me…anyway…

Luckily, I know a couple of colleagues who are disabled. But they have taken their disability and turned it into success. I praise them for that. 

Yet, the topic of mobility and accessibility have been skimmed over time after time. We know that some folks have access to mobility aids for their vehicles. We know that access to parking have been achieved thanks to laws that are enforceable. We know that options are available that do not require an automobile in both large and small metropolitan areas. That also include rural communities.

Something has to be done to illuminate being disabled and the basic concept of mobility. Of opportunities to be independent as much as possible. 

Am I taking the wrong approach to all of this? Rather, should I divorce myself from advocacy and the semblance of self-interest and be the journalist towards approaching these topics? You tell me.

I wish there was a connection somewhere that can open those doors for me. That’s all I ask. 

Photos by Randy Stern