Getting There: Traveling With a Disability — September Series

When I plan to go somewhere, transportation isn’t the only thing I have to think about.

I also have to think about money.

For me, taking paratransit currently costs $3.50 each way. That means a round trip costs me $7.00.

Seven dollars might not sound like a lot when you look at one trip by itself. But when you’re using paratransit several times throughout the month, those trips start adding up.

Nowadays, I am able to put money on the app I use for my rides. I try to put about $100 on it every other month or every three months, depending on how frequently I’ve been using paratransit.

That has become another part of how I plan my independence.

Transportation Is Part of My Budget

When I make my monthly budget, I don’t only think about rent, food, bills, and other necessities.

I also have to think about getting places.

How many appointments do I have this month?

How often am I going to the YMCA?

Am I planning to go shopping?

Do I have something fun coming up?

How much money do I already have available for transportation?

These are things I have to consider because transportation is what connects my home to the rest of my life.

And then there is another budget to think about—the money I might need once I get there.

If I’m going shopping, how much can I spend?

If I’m meeting someone for lunch, have I budgeted money for it?

If I’m doing something fun, what will that cost?

I try to plan money for those things during the month too.

Independence Has Expenses

Sometimes people think of transportation as simply getting from one place to another.

For someone who doesn’t drive and depends on accessible transportation, it can mean much more than that.

It’s part of my independence.

If I put $100 into my paratransit account, I’m not just buying rides.

I’m giving myself access to my community.

That money can help me get to an appointment. It can get me to the YMCA. It can help me go shopping. It can give me an opportunity to get out of my apartment and participate in my community.

And I think that’s important.

People with disabilities shouldn’t only leave their homes for medical appointments and necessities.

We deserve to have fun too.

We deserve lunch with friends.

We deserve exercise classes.

We deserve shopping trips.

We deserve activities that give our weeks purpose.

We deserve to simply go somewhere because we want to.

Budgeting for a Life, Not Just a Ride

Living on a budget means I can’t do everything I might want to do. I have to make choices and plan ahead.

But I’ve learned that transportation deserves a place in that budget because getting out is an important part of maintaining my independence.

I don’t look at that money as simply another expense.

I look at it as part of the cost of living the life I have worked so hard to build.

My disability may mean getting somewhere requires more planning—physically, emotionally, and financially.

But I still want to get there.

— Marie W.O.W.C.P.
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