Transportation Options for Young Adults
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A big part of independence is transportation, or how you get to the places you need
and want to go. People with disabilities have many transportation choices such as
getting a driver's license, public transportation, and private services. The right
option depends on your desires and abilities.
Driver's Education/License
People with disabilities who are interested in driving can take driver's education
classes (both written and behind the wheel) to get a driver's license. Many
accommodations can be made depending on the nature of a person’s disability:
- Physical Disability – Driver’s education varies from state to state, but youth with disabilities who are in high school may be able to sign up for the classroom part of driver's education as they would for any other high school course. Contact the school counselor or the school district before registering for the class to find out if an adapted vehicle is needed and available for the student. Extra time may be needed for the instructor to teach the student adaptive driving.
- Cognitive/Learning/Developmental Disability – For a young adult with these types of disabilities, contact a private driving school. You can find these listed online.
Local organizations may be able to provide adaptive driving equipment. See
Assistive Technology Equipment
(see NV providers
[50]) services
providers in our database.
Adapted Motor Vehicles
Technology gives many people with disabilities the chance to drive or be
transported in their own vehicles with adaptive devices. A few examples of this
technology are hand controls, modified seating and steering, and wheelchair ramps or
lifts.
To find more information about vehicle adaptations, go to Transportation and Travel for People with Disabilities.
Adaptive Driving
When assistive technology and adaptations are necessary for a young adult
or adult with disabilities to drive a vehicle, they will need to find someone to
adapt the vehicle and learn how to use this technology. For more information, go to
the Adaptive Driving page.
Public Transportation
Public transportation services are available to everyone, and there are great
options for people with disabilities that need different accommodations to get
around. For more information see the Transportation and Travel for People with Disabilities
page.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) allows patients who are not
able to travel on their own due to medical conditions to travel safely for local
trips or long distances. For more information on private pay and Medicaid options go
to Transportation and Travel for People with Disabilities.
Private Transportation
Many taxi companies provide accessible vehicles. Some may require you to schedule
rides in advance and may charge additional fees. Call your local taxi companies for
more details.
Private companies may also provide accessible transportation services. See all
Disability Related Transportation
(see NV providers
[35])
services providers in our database and see all General Transportation
(see NV providers
[24]) services providers in our
database.
Air Travel
The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of
disability in air travel by requiring U.S. airlines and foreign airlines that
provide flights to or from the United States to offer accessible facilities,
accommodations, and other services to passengers with disabilities. For more
information on air travel go to Transportation and Travel for People with Disabilities.
Resources
Information & Support
For Parents and Patients
Wheelchair Accessible Hotels
Searchable listing of wheelchair accessible hotels worldwide. Online services only.
Services for Patients & Families in Nevada (NV)
| Service Categories | # of providers* in: | NV | NW | Other states (4) (show) | | NM | OH | RI | UT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accessible Leisure Travel | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||
| Assistive Technology Equipment | 50 | 37 | 48 | 37 | 45 | 82 | |||
| Disability Related Transportation | 35 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 22 | |||
| General Transportation | 24 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 12 | |||
For services not listed above, browse our Services categories or search our database.
* number of provider listings may vary by how states categorize services, whether providers are listed by organization or individual, how services are organized in the state, and other factors; Nationwide (NW) providers are generally limited to web-based services, provider locator services, and organizations that serve children from across the nation.
Funding:
Thank you to the Utah Medical Home Young Adult Advisory Committee for reviewing this section.