United States Department of Labor

Transportation

We all rely on different forms of transportation to go to job interviews, get to work, and participate in work-related trainings. Accessible, reliable transportation is one of the most critical — and perhaps least appreciated — components of becoming an active, productive member of the workforce for many Americans with disabilities. The best job, skills, or employment program provides few benefits if there is no reliable means of getting to work.

Transportation systems have become increasingly accessible, but many people with disabilities are still not able to benefit from the options available to most Americans. Access to public and private transportation for individuals with disabilities is more than just physical accessibility. It can include travel training for individuals with cognitive disabilities, coordination of transportation resources, and understanding one's rights.

ODEP's collaboration with the U.S. Department of Transportation and other federal agencies has been critical to the development and ongoing work of United We Ride. This federal interagency initiative supports states and their localities in developing coordinated human service delivery systems.

The following resources offer helpful information related to transportation and disability employment:

• United We Ride — Federal interagency initiative aimed at improving the availability, quality, and efficient delivery of transportation services for older adults, people with disabilities, and individuals with lower incomes.
• Technical Employment Notice (TEN) on Strategies to Meet One-Stop Career Centers’ Business and Job-Seeker Customer Needs for Employment-Related Transportation Services — A jointly issued TEN from the Employment and Training Administration and the Office of Disability Employment Policy to provide successful strategies to the public workforce system for connecting individuals with transportation to jobs and training and to help businesses access a diverse workforce.
• U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Links — A list of transportation-related links that provide information about DOT accessibility policy, resources for travelers with disabilities, disability laws, and regulations.
• Disability.gov Transportation Resources — Information about paratransit services, finding accessible transportation, and laws such as the Air Carrier Access Act that protect the rights of airline passengers with disabilities. There is also information for transportation providers on making their services accessible to people with disabilities.
• Transportation to Work Toolkit for the Business Community — Practical information from the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) to help businesses build transportation programs that are easy to implement and increase employment opportunities for people with specialized transit needs, including individuals with disabilities.