Safe Ways to Get Around
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People use different ways to get around everyday to:
• Get to work
• See the doctor
• Go shopping
• Visit friends
• Go on vacation
• Get to work
• See the doctor
• Go shopping
• Visit friends
• Go on vacation
When you want to go somewhere:
• You can ride in a car or van
• You can walk
• Or you can use public transportation
Public transportation includes:
• Buses
• Trains and subways
• Streetcars and cable cars
• Van and taxi services
• Airplanes
• Ferries
Using public transportation can be hard for people with disabilities.
• Spaces for sitting are sometimes very small.
• You don’t know the people traveling with you.
• If you need medical care, it may be hard to get help.
• By law, public transportation must be set up so that people with disabilities can use it.
Public transportation works for wheelchairs by having:
• A wheelchair lift
• Tie-downs to secure wheelchairs
• Staff to assist you
There are seats for people with disabilities.
• Look for seats with a sign like this:
• Ask the driver:
• For help getting on or off
• To tell you when to get off the bus just before you get there
• For any other information you need
Buses and trains are good ways to travel near your home.
• While waiting for the bus or train:
• Stay away from the curb or tracks
• Check out where you are and go where you feel safe (like next to someone you know)
• Make sure you look out for the things you have with you (like your backpack or purse).
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• Before you buy a ticket, make sure to ask:
• Are there restrooms for people with disabilities?
• Is there space for things you need to bring with you (like a wheelchair or medical equipment)?
• Will someone be there to help you?
• Can you get special food if you need to?
• There are people (called travel agents) that help people with developmental disabilities get the tickets they need to travel.
Make sure to plan before long trips.
• Talk to your doctor before you plan a trip.
• Be ready for a long trip.
• Bring extra medication.
• Bring snacks and water.
• Put your name, address, and phone number on your luggage and medical equipment.
• If you can, take a rest along the way.
• Take two shorter flights instead of a long one.
If you go on a long trip with a wheelchair:
• Make sure your wheelchair is in good shape before you leave.
• Bring spare parts and tools in case you need to fix your wheelchair.
• Bring the name and phone number of places that fix wheelchairs where you are going.
Check out these resources to find ways to get around in your community:
• Accessibly Travel Resources
• United States Department of Transportation