Getting to a business meeting, the mall, a Seahawks game, or even to a restaurant for a date with his wife, Emily, often means a long bus ride for Michael Rogers of Kenmore, and for many other wheelchair users in the Seattle area.
Not so in Portland, where at least two taxicab companies offer wheelchair accessible cabs. While visiting there, Rogers and his wife, who both have cerebral palsy, enjoyed something many able-bodied persons take for granted: the ability to be spontaneous and not live life according to a timetable.
The trip spurred him to begin lobbying the Metropolitan King County Council last year to bring accessible cabs here. And, to his delight, the council this week unanimously approved a new wheelchair-accessible taxi demonstration project to begin in the spring.
"I look forward to taking Emily on a date without having to constantly check what time it is on a bus schedule," Rogers said. "It's like now we're in control instead of some clock."
Under the project, which could last up to two years, King County will issue eight temporary licenses to selected drivers and loan out eight low-floor mini-vans. The accessible taxis will operate daily, charge the same rates as other cabs, and will pick anyone up, although scooters, wheelchairs, some electric scooters and other mobility aids have top priority. More than $14,000 in state grants will fund the project.
"People who are confined to wheelchairs don't have a lot of transportation options, especially if they live out in areas that don't have plentiful bus service," said Councilwoman Carolyn Edmonds, a sponsor of the legislation.
Alternatives aren't as flexible. King County Metro buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts, but their routes can't reach everyone. The county's ACCESS paratransit program offers door-to-door or curb-to-curb service, but users must make a reservation one to three days ahead.
Private ambulances are out of many people's price range, Rogers said. And not everyone can afford a specially-equipped van or rely on friends and family members to drive them wherever they need to go.
For out-of-town visitors, accessible taxis relieve the need to learn a new bus system to reach tourist attractions or business meetings.
In November, the council will establish
performance measures to judge the project's success and the long-term viability of accessible cabs. Similar service already exists in several other parts of the country, including San Diego, Las Vegas, and Boston.
DID YOU KNOW THAT.....?
If you use the Google search engine to click on local and type in the words "spinal cord injury" that Google will ask you where, and when you type in Louisville, Kentucky, all kinds of links to a variety of web sites relating to spinal cord injury in the Louisville area will pop up? A list of agencies serving individuals with spinal cord injuries will appear, as will names of doctors who specialize in spinal cord injuries. There are research clinics, information about where to get accessible designs manufactured and implemented, and product information availability listed as well. I was also able to find information about local hotels and the availability of accessible rooms, and information about tourist attractions such as the Science center. About the only thing not listed was restaurant and entertainment information.
Out of curiosity I tested this out on cities throughout the country that I am familiar with., especially those that are near my hometown in Central Florida. I also typed in a variety of other disabilities and varying locales. What I discovered is a wealth of information that could be useful in planning trips, making referrals to friends and relatives who live in another area, and finding out about what is going on in the area of spinal cord injury treatment and research in other areas. -ed
